SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Sonoma-based dressage trainer Brian Hafner, 25, is quickly making a name for himself in the arena — most recently a second-straight Reem Acra FEI World Cup-qualifying freestyle win March 23 on his longtime partner Lombardo LHF at California Dreaming Productions’ Capistrano Dressage International CDI-W/Y/J/U-25.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Steffen Peters and Legolas 92, the No. 1-ranked Grand Prix rider and horse combination in the country, “wowed” not only spectators but also the judges on their way to dominating the CDI Grand Prix Freestyle on the final day of California Dreaming Productions’ Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J/U-25 (presented by Hof Kasselmann).

MURRIETA — Shooting skills and horsemanship are making a comeback, and the phenomenon of mounted shooting came to Southern California where nearly 40 contestants from throughout the region mounted up and competed March 22-23 in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association California state event recently. This fast-action, timed event uses two .45 caliber single action revolvers, each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition. The CMSA has a variety of levels of competition for everyone, ranging from novice levels to the seasoned professional.

NORCO — Back Country Horsemen of California brought Ingalls Equestrian Center to life March 21-23, featuring trainer clinicians like Robin Bond, Jerry Tindell and Shawna Karrasch as well as scores of other activities and attractions including a concert by Dave Stamey, a BCHC member as well as Western Music Association 2012 Male Performer of the Year.

BCHC spokesperson Peter Kriger said this year’s BCHA Rendezvous drew more than 2,000 attendees from a wide area, promoting the 3,000-plus member association’s triple-headed mission.

THERMAL — Ashlee Bond Clarke admits that she had to keep her nerves and her emotions in check when entering the ring for the jump-off of the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix March 16, presented by Lamborghini Newport Beach, at HITS Thermal.

TEMECULA — Tessie Childs scored a Limited Open Bridle win on Dick Hershman’s Tuff Sliding Peppy, as the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association kicked off its 2014 season at Casner Ranch.

While up-and-coming talent like Childs made it to the top of the lists, so did some familiar faces as the Southern Californians hit stride in competition and earned SCRCHA, NRCHA and AQHA points. The next SCRCHA event will be the May Sherri Gilkerson Memorial and Big Horse Wine Country Classic in May.

THERMAL — He started the eight-week HITS Desert Circuit with his first grand prix win and he finished it Saturday with a big amateur-owner high jumper title, so Alec Lawler moved on, satisfied by a successful circuit.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Doug Williamson and the Rocking J Ranch’s Short And Smart nabbed the Aaron Ranch Cow Horse Classic Derby, setting the stage for other California trainers and horses to make their mark in the National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions, held Feb. 14 – 22 at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center. The big week featured the Derby, the 2013 NRCHA World Championshps, and the 2014 World’s Greatest Horseman competition (see page 20).

RANCHO MURIETA — Any other year, three inches of rain might dampen spirits at the season’s first Northern California reining event. This arid year, though, downpours were welcome Feb. 7-9 at the Murieta Equine Center, where a covered show arena and warm-up pen allowed West Coast Reining Horse Association members to kick off 2014 with its Affiliate 1 show.

THERMAL — Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas is a regular contender in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, and she has clearly lost no ground this year. On Saturday, she took Splendid to the win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix for owner Julia Landmann at HITS Thermal. With top scores of 85.75 and 88, Karazissis bested a field of 35 to win under the lights in the desert.