DEL MAR — The ponies were also in the spotlight during week one at the Del Mar Fall Equestrian Festival. Renowned pony Buffalo Soldier made a special guest appearance Oct. 21 as the ghost ride in the Buffalo Soldier Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored by the Gabler Family.

RENO, Nev. — With four horses in the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Open finals, the odds were most definitely in Corey Cushing’s favor.

He still had to work for every bit of the $100,000 Championship paycheck as he staged a thrilling come-from-behind victory on CD Diamond (CD Olena x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark), owned by San Juan Ranch.

BURBANK — Final championship ribbons were presented Oct. 7 for the 45th Anniversary California Dressage Society Championship Show, presented By HorseShow.com and held in conjunction with the CDS Young Horse Futurity (including the Cal-Bred Futurity), the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships, and the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championships West Coast Series Final.

In an event which organization officials report as the largest championship show in CDS’ 45-year history, riders, owners, and spectators enjoyed four days of spectacular dressage, camaraderie from across the region, and special anniversary celebrations marking four and a half decades of CDS service to its members and the sport.

BURBANK — For Susie Artes, her victory Sept. 22 in the $50,000 L.A. International Grand Prix was both a personal and professional triumph.

“This win is extremely meaningful to me,” Artes said after teaming with Alix Fargo’s Zamiro to outduel Misti Cassar on Poeme D”Armour and Ashlee Bond on Wistful and RMW Quenot in a jump-off. “Not only is it my first big win of a class of this caliber, but today is also my mom’s birthday. She passed away 26 years ago, and all week long I was hoping I would win. I can’t believe it happened.”

ABILENE, Texas — Now that 12-year-old Maggie Cincatta has returned home from the inaugural American Horsemen’s Challenge Association National Finals with a smile and a national championship, her pathway to a bright future seems as sure as good footing.

The picture wasn’t so clear though, after she was injured January 2011 when the Pony she rides, Rayo, kicked her in the face while lunging. The setback didn’t keep the courageous girl from riding Rayo, but it did keep her out of the show ring until March of this year, when her trainer, Robin Bond, suggested she compete in an American Horsemen’s Challenge Asociation (AHCA) event in Ramona. The only 12-under rider at the event, Cincatta on Rayo won the Youth Division in her debut — against mostly 15-17 year-olds since there was no 12-under division. She also entered the Amateur Division that weekend and finished eighth out of 25.

BOEKELO, The Netherlands — Every member of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team that entered the show jumping arena Oct. 14 at the Military Boekelo CCIO3* leapt up the leaderboard and helped the U.S. team improve to sixth place in the final Nations Cup standings.

Leading the way for the Americans were Jonathan Holling of Ocala, Fla., and Downtown Harrison, Constance Ann Holling’s Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding, who were just shy of a double-clear round. They jumped flawlessly, but came in just over time and ended with 1 fault.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The 2012 High Roller Reining Classic held at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center Sept. 9-15 drew more raves this year, with entries up 37 percent over 2011 and competition that continues to impress.

The depth of entries in each class resulted in some of the toughest competition in the country. And, while familiar faces like Andrea Fappani rose to the top, so did young talent like 27-year-old Cody Clock of Day Creek Ranch in Simi Valley, who took Intermediate, Limited and Level 1 championship honors in the $70,000 Added Spooks Gotta Gun Open Futurity on Chics Dream About Me.

PASO ROBLES — Bea DiGrazia of Stillwater Farms in Carmel Valley made an impressive showing aboard Lad’s Night Night at the Twin Rivers Fall Horse Trials, held Sept. 19-23 at Twin Rivers Ranch.

DiGrazia won all three phases in capturing the Advanced Division title over James Alliston, who took the second-, third- and fourth-place spots in the Advanced Division on Parker, Tivoli and The Alchemyst, respectively. Bunny Sexton was fourth on Rise Against.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The Blenheim Indoor Arena was bursting at its seams Sept. 14 during the $50,000 Blenheim World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Summit General Insurance Agency.

Spectators filed in by the bus loads and with standing room only, equestrian fans of all ages got to witness the veteran rider Rusty Stewart and his incredible 10-year-old mount, Bristol, ride a perfect round and win his second consecutive World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. The pair has been on a roll all season, but it takes the perfect pair to stay on their game and post back-to-back World Cup Qualifier victories. Stewart proved his mount was credible just two weeks ago in Del Mar when they posted the only double clear effort in the $50,000 Showpark World Cup Grand Prix presented by California Horsetrader. Stewart knew Bristol was just as good indoors and could, without question, perform just as well. Stewart was right on the money.

PASO ROBLES — There is a zip in the step of John Ward this fall, but not just because he remedied an old football injury last November with hip replacement surgery. The two-time National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity World Champion is excited to have his health this year — and to have Gotta Go Get It.

The Ward Ranch’s 3-year-old stallion (Smart Little Pepinic x Got Mister x Mister Dual Pep) was brilliant under Ward in his first competition, the National Stock Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity at the Mid-state Fairgrounds Aug. 13-19, winning both the Open and Intermediate Open championships. Zane Davis took John Semanik’s Brother Jackson to the Reserve NSHA Open Futurity title.