Notice our new trim? Thanks to your feedback, the Horsetrader is fine-tuning some pages here and there as we move toward a future that blends more and more closely our print and electronic products. This issue features a new look on pages 4 and 6. Our popular website, Horsetrader.com, has some cool new features, too, that help you find what your looking for online. The Search is On!

The 13th Annual Fiesta Charity Spectacular and Horse Show will bring to life the Los Angeles Equestrian Center May 4-8 with an exciting display of events with a heartfelt cause – to raise funds for much-needed research to stop cancer. This five-day event also honors horses and people steeped in rich tradition and has provided an array of entertainment, as well as awareness and knowledge on cancer in the community. The Spectacular will be held on Saturday, May 7 and will showcase an enchanting multi-cultural “Broadway Style” Equestrian and Musical Spectacular – a dazzling display highlighted by Latin, Mariachi, and other music, as well as Flamenco and Folkloric dancing. Performances will also demonstrate the agility of many breeds of horses that date back to the original Spanish bred horse brought to American in the 1400’s. The Fiesta Charity Multi-breed Horse Show will be held on May 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th, and will be free to the public. A Dressage show will be featured on Wednesday, May 4th and an Open Driving Show on Thursday, May 5th. These days will also showcase Andalusians, Lusitanos, Pure Raza Espanola, Friesians, Paso Finos, Peruvian Pasos, Gypsy Horses, Plantation Walking Horses, and Open classes. See the ad on page 96 for more information, or call (818) 842-8444.

Spring is here! And so is the Horsetrader’s annual focus on trails –- lots of great information for those who make trail riding so popular. De sure to shoot us an email if there is something you’d like us to cover in our “Trails Focus” inside our April 7 Horsetrader. Just send your idea to news@horsetrader.com

And…are you in a horse-related business that serves the trail horse folks? Then don’t miss our advertising specials to reach this passionate audience. In fact, you should call us right away to learn how our specials can “put you on the trail to a sale!” Deadline is Monday, March 28.

We are proud to announce that California Horsetrader is now “the Official Regional Horse Publication of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association” – and we’re also honored to be ACTHA’s only publishing partner in California! We’ll be keeping our readers current on ACTHA news, topics and events — like the upcoming auditions for “America’s Favorite Trail Horse” April 9-24. You could win up to $100,000 and be a star! The auditions, to be held in California and all across the U.S., will be limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis, so contestants will need to register early to ensure their place in the Regional Auditions. At the audition, horse-and-rider contestants will perform ACTHA trail obstacles, while being judged on style and time by ACTHA staff. But most of all, judges will look for personality. Regional finalists will be invited to ride in the National Finals held May 8-12 in Austin Texas, where they’ll compete for cash and prizes, and the title of “America’s Favorite Trail Horse.” Finalists will ride in a one-day, six-mile Competitive Trail Challenge, and receive coaching/schooling from ACTHA’s founders and well-known clinicians. For more information, and to sign up for an audition, visit www.ACTHA.us. Also, be sure to check out the article this issue on page 20.

Join Rancho Santiago in Norco for “March Madness!” Sponsored by Robart, they’ll be offering a different trainer each weekend to help you and your horse. March 4-5 will feature Stacey Turner, who will assist novice riders with executing obstacles safely and with tips for building equine partnerships. March 12-13 will feature Kenny Ennis, who will assist in competitively negotiating a cowboy race obstacle course – and also discuss what it takes to win! March 20 will feature Kathy Thistlewaite, who will assist with driving obstacles (carts only, please). March 26-27 will feature Molly Jenks, who will assist with green horses and how to get them started on obstacles. Cost is $15 per day, with a “Trainer’s Choice” award and FREE drawing each practice day for participants in the obstacle course. Call (951) 582-0333 for more info!

After a year of hearing your great feedback and another seemingly endless time spent building those changes, the new Horsetrader.com search site is unveiled with this issue – so please take a look.

It’s far from finished – in fact, websites aren’t ever finished – they “evolve.” We launched the first version of Horsetrader.com back in 1998, and this is really the third major facelift.

Last time, we introduced a new, easier to used part of the site to help you place your orders – both in print and online. This year, we’ve updated the search part of the site…and we’d love to hear your feedback. The good things you tell us now you’ll see in the months ahead.

By now you’ve seen in this issue of the Horsetrader all the buzz about the upcoming Equine Affaire Trade Show in Pomona – what’s new, what’s happening, what’s up, what’s down. We’d love to give you the scoop on what we’ll be launching starting at Equine Affaire, but we can’t – it’s a secret! But as you schedule your day(s) at this annual get-together at the L.A. County Fairgrounds, but sure you make us one of your stops so we can show you what we have for our readers and advertisers!

Speaking of the trade show…it’s one of our most popular issues of the year, so be sure you get your ad in early! Deadline is Jan. 24 for the big Feb. 3 Equine Affaire issue!

Are you ready for a New Year? California Horsetrader is gearing up with some exciting new launches soon – we can’t wait to reveal them at Equine Affaire in about four weeks.

Right NOW, we are looking for additional print and internet advertising sales and sales support staff. Don’t delay — If you ‘d like to learn more or apply, visit http://arena.horsetrader.com/jobs, or send your resume and cover letter to jobs@horsetrader.com

By the time we reach you with the next Horsetrader, we’ll be into a new year with fresh beginnings of what we sincerely hope will be a successful 2011 for all our readers. We take this opportunity to thank you for the confidence, trust and inspiration that you — our readers and advertisers — have given us in the past 12 months. The time has passed faster than a galloping horse.

Trainers wanted! Looking for national exposure? A worldwide fan base? The Extreme Mustang Makeover is returning to Norco for the third time on May 13-15, and applications will be due Jan. 15 for trainers interested in participating. In addition to prize money, trainers competing in the event will receive up to $700 in reimbursed expenses for reasonable training and veterinary costs, and a 20 percent commission (over the $200 adoption & processing fee) on horses adopted for $200 or more. Come see 90-day trained Mustangs climb the hills and walk the streets as they compete for approximately $10,000 in prize money. All competing Mustangs will be available for adoption by the public on Sunday, May 15. For more information on the event and on registering to compete, call (512) 869-3225, and see the ad on page 73.