Galway Downs closer to hosting LA28 equestrians
City of L.A. committee OKs venue; IOC meets in April
From staff reports
A Los Angeles City Council Ad Hoc Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, meeting for the first time since June 2024, approved by a 5-0 vote March 26 to proceed with requested venue changes from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee. Relocation of all equestrian events are headed to Galway Downs in Temecula, pending one final approval step in April.
‘Trailblazer’ Gil Pankonin honored
Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles group fundraiser April 10
TEMECULA — One of Southern California’s most important — and fun! — equestrian fundraisers is April 10 at Europa Village Winery, and one of the region’s most important trail proponents will be honored that night.
Gil Pankonin, a pioneer of Temecula Valley’s riding trails and a founding member and longtime President of Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles will be awarded the 2025 TVRL Trailblazer Award. His contributions on horseback, or working onsite to help construct the trails, or advocating in offices with county officials, surveyors, and attorneys, have all helped ensure that trails are a vital, permanent asset to the community.
Doug Williamson, 1942-2024
Master horseman, teacher and friend passes away at age 82
From staff and published reports
Doug Williamson, a legend in performance horse circles who taught and inspired a generation, passed away Aug. 14 in his home alongside his loving wife Carol. He was 82.
Williamson was born March 15, 1942, and grew up on his family’s ranch in Vale, Ore. From a young age, he worked on the ranch and developed his cowboy and horsemanship skills. After graduating from high school, he worked on several ranches where he was in charge of large herds of cattle and also continued training horses. He became a full-time horse trainer in his twenties and embarked on a successful career that spanned over six decades.
Over the years, he had training facilities in Nampa, Idaho, Bakersfield, and ultimately in Scottsdale, Ariz. His lifelong passion was to be the best horseman he could be. Two special accomplishments of his career included his induction into the NRCHA Hall of Fame and securing his place as a NRCHA Million Dollar Rider.
San Juan Capo City Council hears proposals for future of Rancho Mission Viego Riding Park
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Two business groups with different visions for the 40-acre Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park made respective public presentations Sept. 21 to the City Council, as ongoing discussions continued toward the beautiful facility’s future.
Riata Ranch force Jennifer Welch Nicholson nominated for Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award
Jennifer Welch Nicholson, who started at Riata ranch as a 9-year old and later navigated the organization through tumultuous times and to international renown, has been nomnominated for the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award.
Steffen Peters, U.S. win Olympic dressage team silver for first time since 1948 Games
TOKYO, Japan — After a year’s pandemic-driven delay, the U.S. Dressage Team opened its 2020 Olympic Games with a silver medal in Team Dressage — the first time a United States dressage team won team silver since the 1948 London Olympic Games.
SAN DIEGO — Rescuers used a helicopter on July 21 to save a horse that had fallen into a steep ditch in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego.
SAN MARCOS — Early investigations by San Diego County Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson unit have yet to reveal the cause of an overnight fire at Liz Bolton Stables where a home and several trailers went up in flames.
Sandy Arledge, eight others will be inducted into AQHA Hall of Fame
AMARILLO, Texas — Sandy Arledge, who has influenced a generation of horsepeople for decades and brought leadership to regional and national associations alike, is one of nine 2021 inductees into the prestigious American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. Arledge heads a quartet of people, while five horses also will enter the AQHA Hall.
California ropers Eli Green and Chase Helton take $20K prize in Bob Feist Invitational Junior 10.5 Division
GUTHRIE, Okla. — The Hooey Jr. Championships during Wrangler BFI Week are designed to showcase today’s youth superstars, and the Jr. BFI did that perfectly on March 18.
While 18-year-old Texans Kreece Thompson and Kaden Profili took the Jr. Open at the Hooey Junior to split $54,000, a pair of California teens captured the Junior 10.5 Division and earned $20,000 of their own.
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