From Horsetrader sales staff

Cooler temperatures will be falling on us in autumn, but horse sales will be heating up!

On Sept. 18, the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse Sales will fill the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center for three sales: the 2021 Performance & Ranch Horse Sale, the 2021 Select Weanlings, Yearlings & Broodmares Sale, and the 2021 2-year-old Select Sale. Check the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity website (renosnafflebitfuruity.com) to see the catalog, when available. The event, managed by Parnell Dickinson, last year had average sales averages of $9957 (2-year-old Select Sale), $8,000 (Performance and Ranch Horse Sale) and $9,838 (Select Yearling & Broodmare Sale), respectively. For more info, see the ad on the back cover of this issue!

Another exciting horse sale on this fall’s calendar is the Nov. 6 West Coast Ranch Horse Rendezvous Sale at the beautiful Tucalota Creek Ranch. Managed by XIT Western Productions, this sale will bring 35 head of high-quality ranch horses that “are ready to be your next partner.” The sale will specialize in horses that are show-ready or are great ranch horse prospects. There is a consignor application process and a selection committee to ensure only the cream of the crop are offered. The sale will take place alongside a series of events over the 2021 WCRH Rendezvous weekend Nov. 4-7. As for the show, the WCRH Rendezvous will include ranch horse clinics with Sami Hernandez, Cowley Performance Horses and others, a two-day ranch horse show, ranch horse futurities, a silent auction, wine and cheese reception, vendors, and a banquet dinner with live cowboy music from Eric Gorsuch. There will be a saddle awarded to the Top Hand of the weekend, division buckles, trophy knives, trophy stirrups and more! The sale preview will be held with the wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, and the sale will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Those interested in consigning to the sale can participate in an application process and can learn more via the WCRH website (westcoastranchhorse.com). All horses will come with vet exams in order to provide the buyers with the confidence that they deserve in buying any of the quality horses offered. Consignors are encouraged to enter their horses in the events in the ranch horse show, especially those that qualify for Friday’s futurity. Consignor check-in and vet checks will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4 starting at 8 a.m. Horses will then begin moving into their stalls, and the horses can be ridden during the open riding that evening from 4-7 p.m. Online bidding will be available through XIT Western Productions website (www.xitwesternproductions.com).

We love and appreciate our stores — for more than 40 years, they have devoted space in their store for California Horsetrader magazine! We also lift up in appreciation our store advertisers who trust and support us! Thank you Inland Vet Supply (Temecula and Norco… ad on page 2), Tony’s Hay and Grain (Norco… ad on page 31) and The Shoein Shop (Yucaipa…ad on page 34 and online at theshoeinshop.com).

How about a new John Deere Gator? Another loyal advertiser in California Horsetrader magazine, our friends at Farnam, has been keeping horses healthy and happy since the company was founded in 1946. In honor of the trusted partnerships that have united Farnam and the equine community across the decades, the company is marking its diamond anniversary with a special event for its loyal customers.

Now through Dec. 31, 2021, horse owners are invited to enter Farnam’s 75th Anniversary Giveaway. Front and center is the Grand Prize, a 2021 Farnam-branded John Deere® Gator® XUV835M (approximate retail value, $18,000), loaded with $1,000 worth of Farnam® products including supplements, fly control, hoof care and grooming. In addition, there will be 10 First Prizes featuring $75 worth of popular Farnam® products in a handy five-gallon bucket.

Only one entry is allowed per person. You must be a horse owner and legal U.S. resident of one of the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia and 18 or older as of Aug. 9, 2021 with a valid driver’s license to enter. Please visit farnam.com/75-giveaway for complete rules. See Farnam’s ads this issue on pages 3, 17, 27 and 39.

Round up your posse, lace up your sneakers or saddle up your horse, and come out for the 15th annual Ride & Stride at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos on Sunday, Oct. 17. Organized by the Horse Heritage Conservancy and Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association, the event encourages the “two-legged” contingent to join in and bring their other Best Friend to stride this three-mile loop through the valley. Participation in this event helps the Horse Park, a rare gem in the heart of the Twin Oaks Valley. Come celebrate this unique park and its trail connectivity. All contributions collected are fully tax deductible and support this public facility which is used for so much, including equestrian events, trail staging and emergency evacuation. The Ride and Stride promotes the rich cultural history of San Marcos and the importance of preserving a rural and equestrian presence within the community. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Visit helpthehorsepark.org for more information and registration forms.

From Horsetrader sales staff

Time may fly past us, but traditions never leave — and the roots of reined cow horse are no exception. The Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity will head into Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center for the fifth annual futurity and horse show Sept. 15-19. It continues the tradition of the reined cow horse futurity on the West Coast and will feature Open and Non-Pro futurity divisions; Open, Non Pro and Youth horse show classes; a western trade show; plus, the 2021 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse Sale, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18. Entries are due Sept. 1, and the futurity draw date is scheduled for Sept. 6.

From Horsetrader sales staff

A recently released book written by Jennifer Forsberg Meyer, the longtime award-winning Publisher of California Horse Review magazine, is being well-received by the animal-loving community — and for good reason. In Friends With Four Legs, the native Californian and lifelong animal lover brings to life moments with her animals that touch, teach and — above all — entertain readers. Her chapters with horses are especially easy to relate to, the familiar details written in a clean, conversational style. Here’s an excerpt from a chapter entitled, “Sure-footed Saviors”:

When we unloaded our horses at the trailhead that lovely summer morning, everything was just as I had envisioned it. Green meadows rolled out in every direction, with towering cottonwood trees and broad dirt paths. Only, as I soon discovered, this was just the staging area. Our real journey —- the part for which T-shirts (“I Survived A Ray Fine Trail Ride”) actually exist — was a series of high-mountain switchbacks.

These cut into the steep sides of the volcanic rock that leads up to the 9,000-foot-elevation lake, and they are heart-stopping. They reminded me of the walls of the Grand Canyon. They also made me wish I and my novice-level-equestrian husband were riding sure-footed mules. Yes, our geldings were good guys, but still…mules stick like glue.

See the author’s ad on page 13 for info on ordering the book on Amazon.com. If you would like to read more excerpts, you can get a free sneak peek of three chapters on horsetrader.com with this link: http://bit.ly/friendswithfourlegs

From Horsetrader sales staff

Buck Brannaman is back! He will return for a two-stop clinic engagement in Southern California in April. Come learn from one of the most respected horsemen in the industry, as he shares his insight, skills, and techniques on achieving a better relationship with your horse.

“First up, on April 9-11, Buck Brannaman will be in Los Angeles County at the JPK Ranch in Agua Dulce for his Foundation Horsemanship and Horsemanship 1. There will be no spectators this year — except for family and friends of riders. Riders will need to reserve and pay for their guests in advance, and numbers will be limited. Bring a chair and your own food and water. Also: please, no dogs. The clinic will observe all CDC and health department protocols. Call Sally at (213) 247-7157 to reserve your spot.

From Horsetrader sales staff

Obstacles aren’t insurmountable, especially for distance riders! Instead of their usual in-person convention this March, the American Endurance Ride Conference decided to go virtual with their 2021 Unconventional Convention. Participants can watch live on both days, March 6-7, and content will remain available to watch throughout the month.

Open to interested equestrians in the U.S., Canada and around the world, the convention features eight seminars that will appeal to everyone from new riders to experienced endurance enthusiasts. Vendors will have virtual booths, and many are offering convention-only specials. The convention also includes raffles, including one for a Treeless Saddle, valued at more than $3,000, donated by Saddle Up LLC. Awards and virtual get-togethers for various regions are scheduled for Friday afternoon, with the national awards ceremony presentation on Saturday to close out the convention.

“Although our in-person conventions are always terrific, going virtual this year will allow many more people to experience an AERC convention,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. “The opportunity to see so many eminent speakers for such a low cost is one that should appeal to trail riders and distance riders alike.”

The seminar schedule can be accessed in real time, which allows attendees to present questions and comments to the speakers. Can’t make one or more of the seminars live? The seminars can be watched at any time through March 2021.

Through Feb. 18, the cost to attend all convention activities is $60 ($50 for current AERC members). Additional household members are an extra $10. After Feb. 18, the cost increases to $65 for the first attendee.

For full details, schedule and speaker bios, and a link to convention registration, see http://AERC.org/2021conventioninfo.pdf

We would like to congratulate incoming California Reining Horse Association President, Tom Foran — not just for his office, but also to Tom and his wife, Daphne, on the birth of their son, Wyatt! Tom, a longtime CRHA member and supporter, and Daphne run Foran Performance Horses in Santa Clarita. He says he’s excited to serve as CRHA President again, and he’s looking forward to 2021.

“The past year has been very challenging, and I think Mike Berg did a fabulous job as president,” said Tom. “In fact, the entire board met the many difficulties of 2020 and positioned the club to have a very productive and fun-filled 2021.”

For more info on CRHA, see ad on page 39. The Foran Performance Horse ad is on page 27.

Thinking about a new barn? North Coast Barns can deliver with The Millennium Barn. Modular horse barns have been constructed the same way for years, but North Coast Barns has implements newer technology and has changed the direction of barn production with state-of-the-art state of the art materials as well as considering the long-term environmental impact of the materials used. The Millennium Barn, exclusive to North Coast Barns, is a steel skeleton with the wall material consisting of a man-made tongue and groove product designed to replace wood. The composite material is specifically designed to perform in the harshest of climates while maintaining its beauty and durability — with the least amount of maintenance. Imagine — no painting, no warped boards, no rot, a resistance to insects, and the beauty of wood without the problems inherent with wood construction. That is The Millennium Barn, currently available in three colors: cedar, slate and mahogany. For more info, see the North Coast Barns ad on page 44.

From Horsetrader sales staff

You can take the guess work out of finding the perfect gift for you, your loved one, or best friend at Big Horse Feed and Mercantile in Temecula. Have you ever thought, “Gee honey… just what I always wanted for Christmas!” Well now there’s an option to give or receive the perfect gift this holiday season. Sign up today for Big Horse’s Gift Registry and receive 15 percent off any purchase listed on your gift registry — or the registry of your loved ones or friends. Better yet, the friendly staff at Big Horse will even gift wrap it for you! (Limited to in-store items only and does not include feed, saddles, Brighton Jewelry, Charles Owen, Roecki gloves, wormers, vaccines, and dog or cat food. Cannot be combined with already discounted or discontinued items. Offer expires 12/24/2020.) S, be a hero (not a zero!) and avoid another year of holiday gift-giving tragedies. Big Horse is located at 33320 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Call (951) 676-2544 or visit BigHorseFeed.com. See ad on page 11.