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Zone 10 teams selected

- July 1st, 2017

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The three-month qualifying period for the Zone 10 Junior and Young Rider teams culminated June 18 for riders looking to vie in the Adequan/FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships July 19-23 in Saugerties, N.Y.

A group of Zone 10 Young and Junior riders gathered to compete in the final qualifying events during Blenheim June Classic I.

Speed thrills

Joie Gatlin and Rammstein pull the stops, score win in fast Blenheim grandprix

- July 1st, 2017

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Joie Gatlin and Rammstein secured a first-place finish in the $30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix after a blazing jump-off, where she daringly left strides out and all the fences up. Thirteen of 30 entries advanced to the jump-off, and of the four double-clear efforts, Gatlin’s 36.12 time was the fastest.

Course designer Ivan Tagle of Argentina built a 1.40m track that included both a triple and a double combination and required riders to make adjustments and plan their tracks carefully.

Gatlin showcased her talent and precision as she guided Rocking Basilisk Farm’s 9-year-old Rammstein through both phases promptly and accurately. John Pearce and Chantico nipped at their heels, coming in a close second, double-clean in 36.51, less than half a second slower.

Rosey reining

West Coast reiners bring Brookside to life with springtime tradition

Special to the Horsetrader - June 1st, 2017
Sandra Bentien wowed the judges aboard her Gotta Twist It Up,then celebrated with her posse the Non Pro Derby Level 4 Championship at the 2017 Rein for the Roses.

Sandra Bentien wowed the judges aboard her Gotta Twist It Up,then celebrated with her posse the Non Pro Derby Level 4 Championship at the 2017 Rein for the Roses.

John O’Hara photo

ELK GROVE – Good weather, good times and above all, good competition, added up to a highly successful 2017 Rein For The Roses May 4-7 at Brookside Equestrian Park.

Members and horses started prepping and showing in 90 degree temperature. However in the classic Brookside micro climate, the days cooled off and we were lovely. Host Bill Madden of Brookside greeted reiners with new sand footing in the warm-up arena – a one-of-a-kind warm-up arena for reiners in Northern California.

“It brings us back to Brookside every year,” said JoAnn Campas, President of the West Coast Reining Horse Association – the largest affiliate in the National Reining Horse Association. “Bill always does his best to provide the best warm-up and show conditions possible. The Sugar Shack is also new at Brookside. What a welcome treat right in the center of the action, providing all sorts of espresso concoctions. “

Dynamic duo

Spooner and 19-year-old Cristallo push to dramatic .04-second win in $60,000 Grand Prix of California

Special to the Horsetrader - June 1st, 2017
Richard Spooner and Cristallo soar to victory in the $60,000 Grand Prix of California, held May 13 at Showpark.

Richard Spooner and Cristallo soar to victory in the $60,000 Grand Prix of California, held May 13 at Showpark.

capturedmomentphoto.com photo

DEL MAR — The Master of Faster turned on the heat with his equine partner of 15 years to clinch the $60,000 Grand Prix of California, presented by Equ Lifestyle Boutique. The unstoppable duo, known as Richard Spooner and Cristallo, executed a flawless jump-off in 33.75, less than .04 seconds faster than the previous leaders, Vani Khosla and Billy Mexico. Relegated to a well-deserved second by a show jumping veteran, Khosla earned her second impressive grand prix red ribbon for the week.

Heidegger sweeps qualifiers

- June 1st, 2017

DEL MAR — Jumping off last in the $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix as well as the $5,000 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier, 19-year-old Hannah Heidegger and Di Caprio RV topped a field of 62 entries to claim the win in both classes. Vani Khosla and Billy Mexico finished in a close second in the Markel Insurance Grand Prix, with Heidegger beating her time by just 0.05 seconds. Both emerging stars train with Meadow Grove Farm.

A Spring Classic at the MEC

- June 1st, 2017
Rebecca Drake and her One Red Mist take control on their way to the 50K Amateur title at the El Rancho Spring Classic in Rancho Murieta April 27-30.

Rebecca Drake and her One Red Mist take control on their way to the 50K Amateur title at the El Rancho Spring Classic in Rancho Murieta April 27-30.

John O’Hara photo

RANCHO MURIETA — The El Rancho Cutting Horse Association, an NCHA Affiliate, prides itself on promoting one of the last outdoor cuttings on the West Coast. Competitors come from all over the Western U.S. to compete at one of the premier cutting facilities.

This year’s event paid out a $102,000 to competitors. With over 761 entries, the facility was packed with athletes, horses and excited spectators. The exhibitors and their horses enjoyed beautiful spring weather in ranging from 70 to 80 degrees.

Carol Ward and crew go to great lengths to make the event a fun-filled show, with hosted exhibitor’s party, pancake breakfast and more.

A unique and inspirational component to this popular cutting results in the West Coast Equine Foundation receiving net proceeds from the event.  The Foundation is a charitable organization that supports a variety of equine related organizations including; college scholarships and grants to youth organizations that provide, therapeutic riding and support to 4-H and other equine related youth organizations.

Next up for the association will be the El Rancho Futurity and Mercuria World Series, Sept. 8-17.

MORE ONLINE: http://www.elranchofuturity.com

A ‘Rein-y’ Season!

Cactus Reining kick off season of top reining competitions

From releases and staff reports - May 1st, 2017

1705ACoverSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After a prolific rainy season, the “rein-y” season seems to have kicked off this spring, and Californians are claiming their share of titles.

At the venerable Cactus Reining Classic, held March 22-26 at Westworld, major winners from the Golden State included Tom Foran in the Open Derby Level 2 and 3 and Non Pro Dana Avila in the Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2 as well as Intermediate Non Pro.

This year, the event was pushed into late March, a move that didn’t slow down Temecula-based rider Avila. With her gelding Gunna Spook Ya, by Smart Spook and out of Gitty Annie Gun, by Gunner, Avila won the High Point Championships in Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and 2, and Intermediate Non Pro.

“I opted not to show my horse in the Derby ,as my husband, Bob, and I felt he wasn’t quite as seasoned as the other Derby horses,” Dana said. “I ended up having a terrific show. As they say, winning is always fun.”

Once again, the $70,000-added Lucas Oil Open Derby, with 74 horses in the competition, did not disappoint the spectators. It took a 220.5 to place 15th and be in the money. When Arno Honstetter, of Scottsdale left the arena after his run on Gunnafoolya, by Gunnatrashya, owned by Marilyn Overgaard, with a smoking score of 226, the crowd thought they had seen their winner.

Petschenig rides a Classic

Three horses in jump-off, including winner Saint Quentin, make memorable day

- May 1st, 2017
Peter Petschenig gallops to a sweeping victory aboard Saint Quentin at the $40,000 Spring Classic II Grand Prix April 9 in San Juan Capistrano.

Peter Petschenig gallops to a sweeping victory aboard Saint Quentin at the $40,000 Spring Classic II Grand Prix April 9 in San Juan Capistrano.

Amy McCool photo

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The grassy knoll of the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano was filled with fans April 9, as Peter Petschenig galloped to a sweeping victory aboard Saint Quentin in an unbeatable time of 40.24 in the $40,000 Spring Classic III Grand Prix, presented by The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

He topped Thirty-six horse and rider combinations who were trying to master a difficult track set by Puerto Rican FEI Course Designer Mauricio Garcia Ballesteros.

“He can be super fast,” Petschenig said of his 14-year-old partner of six years. “I tried to stay on the inside track, but I didn’t force it too hard because the other ones weren’t that extremely fast. Today was lucky.”

The Speedy Six

Blenheim honors top riders of spring

- May 1st, 2017

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Four weeks of riveting competition came to a close April 15 as the Blenheim Spring Classic IV wrapped up the 2017 Blenheim Spring Series. Part of the closing celebrations included the Veredus Leading Jumper Rider Awards, presented to the riders who accumulated the most points on their highest placing horses throughout the month-long series.

Michelle Parker took the jumper ring by storm during the of the Blenheim Spring Series and won the Veredus Leading Professional Jumper Rider Award. Her first place finish during the Spring Classic II in the $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix, plus another blue and other solid placings in the Spring Classic III Open Welcome and Speed Derby, put her squarely at the top of the professional leader board with an unbeatable total of 31 points.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Jim Ifko claimed the first place prize in the $50,000 Blenheim Spring Classic IV Grand Prix aboard Eventyre Farms Ltd.’s Un Diamant des Forets. In front of a full audience of fellow equestrians and local fans, Ifko delivered two swift, faultless rounds that secured him the win by over 2.5 seconds against five others in the jump-off. Robert Blanchette and his own Coupis picked up second place as the only other double clear finisher.