SAN MARCOS — A virtual meeting to give equestrians the chance to influence whether or not the City of San Marcos will change its trail usage rules to allow electric bicycles will take place Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

San Marcos is looking at allowing motorized “e-bikes” that travel up to 15-20 miles per hour on trails that currently are restricted to equestrians, hikers and traditional bicycles. It will require a charter amendment to change trail usage rules on the City’s public trails system, and the City is encouraging public response from the equestrian community regarding this proposed change.

To publicly comment, email toshinski@san-marcos.net and write “Public Comment” in the subject line. City staff will read all comments, provided that the reading does not exceed five minutes.

Taylor Oshinski, who will receive the email Public Comments, is the Recreation Director of the Ranger Program at the City of San Marcos. The City of San Marcos phone number is (760) 744-9000.

FORT WORTH, Texas — One again, a Californian came away with the highest-selling horse at the Twombly Performance Horse Sale, held Dec. 4-5 at the Wil Rogers Memorial Center during the National Finals Rodeo.

When it was all said and done Lot 9, “Dune,” a beautiful 5-year-old Palomino gelding and a grandson of Topsail Whiz, topped the sale at $110,000!

Many repeat and new buyers participated in bids from 40 states, Belgium and Canada.

Other top-sellers included Lot 3, “Smokey”, purchased for $80,000 by a Colorado buyer. He’s an 11-year-old Buckskin gelding who was the pony horse to Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah. He was for young children to ride the trails and to enjoy.

The next- highest seller, Lot 7, was “Infamous”, a 4-year-old Palomino gelding who is an own son of Shine Chic Shine. Reining-trained and ranch broke, he went to a Florida buyer for $66,000.

NORCO — While high-profile Presidential and California elections capture attention as Nov. 3 approaches, voters in Horsetown USA are facing the selection of three Norco City Council members.

The unique equestrian hamlet of 26,000 has a coveted animal-keeping lifestyle, and the new members taking seats in the current economic and development headwinds are expected to play a role in the next phase of the town’s stewardship.

“In the next 10 years, we are going to see a lot of changes in the Inland Empire, and that includes Norco,” says Sigrid Williams, one of eight Norco City Council candidates. “We need a City Council that’s going to brainstorm and problem solve, collaborate with its residents to keep our rural lifestyle intact.”

Williams, a horsewoman who has lived in Norco almost 12 years, has a professional and educational background well-suited to earn residents’ votes. For over 15 years, she taught college and university courses in Policial Science, Public Administration and Criminal Justice, plus seven years in Public Safety and Forensic Science in technical education. She also worked seven years as a Deputy Sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and she holds a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and and Associate Degree in Administration Justice.

Her true reason to run, she says, is simple: “Because I care.”

“Even before I became a resident, I was actively involved in the city, its nonprofits and riding clubs,” says Williams, whose community involvement has spanned both equestrian groups like the Norco Horsemen’s Association and Norco Mounted Posse to non-equestrian ones like Little League and Boy Scouts.

“I believe one of my greatest attributes is the ability to influence through education, educating this town and informing them of what will happen if we continue to be reactive instead of proactive,” she says. “I like to think of it as a chess game — I am not about the move I’m about to make, but I’m thinking about the moves in the future. A chess player will tell you if you are only working the next move, and not thinking five moves ahead, you will lose. I refuse to lose.”

Williams believes she can influence key areas of Norco’s future, including: preservation of the city’s animal-keeping keeping lifestyle; infrastructure improvement, including streets, trails and utilities; stimulation of the local economy; public safety, empowerment of the community’s non-profits; and better civic decisions based on improved information and education. Her detailed thoughts on each of these can be found on the link below.

Other candidates who are running for Norco City Council include Robin Grundmeyer, Ted Hoffman, Patrick Mitchell, Sam Tavallodi, Brent Sakamoto, Susan Olmstead-Bowen, and Katherine Aleman.

More online: https://bit.ly/010norco

THERMAL — For the first time in recent memory, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center will not host the year-end California Reining Horse Association Challenge show, as health officials still had not lifted constraints on events at LAEC as of press time.

In August, the CRHA moved its Summertime Slide show from Hansen Dam Horse Park in Lake View Terrace to the CRC Ranch in Temecula for the same reason.

The CRHA Challenge will be held Oct. 20-25 at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, a well-known hunter-jumper venue that will be hosting a reining for the first time.

“We really appreciate the generosity of the DIHP opening their doors to us on such short notice, and we look forward to cultivating this relationship for future reining events,” CRHA President Mike Berg said in a press release.

Steve Hankin, President and and CEO of the DIHP, said he hopes to create a new home for regional reining events, adding that three new sand rings will add 250,000 sq. ft. of schooling space to the facility.

Also scheduled the same week at the DIHP on Oct. 23-25 will be the National Sunshine Preview show, the first in a series of shows co-produced by DIHP and LEG Shows & Events that will focus on hunter equitation riders up to 3-ft. and jumpers up to 1.20m.

“These two events bring together two disciplines in a fun, casual weekend. There will be a crossover team event, a dinner social, and more fun activities throughout the weekend,” added Hankin.

“With COVID-19 limiting activities in Los Angeles County, this gives us a great opportunity to move the needle on producing affordable and accessible competitions for the West Coast equestrian community,” said Marnye Langer, Managing Director and CFO of The Langer Group.

Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association (LAHJA) will also be moving its Medal Finals Extravaganza, featuring all seven of its 2020 LAHJA Medal Finals, to the National Sunshine Preview. LAHJA President Kay Altheuser said moving the finals to DIHP “is the best decision for everyone involved.”

“We understand how important the medal finals are to our members, and we want to do everything possible to be able to safely host the finals this year,” Altheuser said.

More online: https://bit.ly/010desert

DEL MAR—Even before the horse community had a chance to raise its collective voice, hundreds of residents near the Del Mar Horse Park are protesting a concept to bring temporary homeless housing to the show facility.

The 65-acre Horse Park, under the purview of the 22nd District Agricultural Association that manages the Del Mar Fairgrounds, apparently is not under any immediate impact.

BURBANK—Griffith Park, the largest urban park in the United States, has 56 miles of horse trails and supports a thriving horse community of trail users. Every day, equestrians can be found riding, from early morning into the evening, on a trail system that provides a quiet riding experience in a natural and safe environment.

With plans heating up by city businessmen and leaders to construct an aerial tram to view the Hollywood sign, equestrian advocates met virtually with Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu to present concerns.

ATWATER VILLAGE—A long-awaited bridge spanning the Los Angeles River that was built to accommodate equestrians was closed before its grand opening celebration when a horse had to be euthanized following an accident Jan. 17 on the new structure.

TEMECULA—Grant Berg, who inspired many worldwide both inside and outside the equestrian community with his courageous battles with chronic health afflictions, passed away Jan. 8.

Grant, born on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2006, is survived by his parents, Mike and Kristi Berg, his brother Gavin, grandparents Max and Sue Berg, grandmother Tina Bevan, grandfather Ted Brough, and Ian Bevan.

SANTA MARIA—Justin Wright’s 17-year journey as part of the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s competitive circuit has reached a benchmark as the NRCHA’s newest One Million Dollar Rider.

The 33-year-old native California trainer has come a long way.

PASADENA—The Pasadena Tournament of Roses has selected 17 equestrian groups to ride in the 131st Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, and the list includes 13 units from California—including the Horsewomen of Temecula Wine Country (California Horsetrader article, August issue).

Presented by Honda, this year’s parade theme is “The Power of Hope,” and equestrians participating in the Rose Parade will showcase a variety of breeds as well as unique tack and costumes. All riders must have previous parade riding experience. In addition to riding in the five and a half mile-long Rose Parade route on Wednesday, Jan. 1, these equestrian groups are invited to take part in Equestfest presented by Wells Fargo, which will take place on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. During Equestfest, groups perform trick riding, drills, dancing and roping skills, and attendees can walk through the stables and speak with the riders.