Competitors shine at SCRCHA Pot Of Gold Show

By SUSAN CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Weather-wise, it’s always a bit of a crap shoot to hold a March show, but the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held its second 2021 show on March 13-14 at California Ranch Company.

The covered arena was a saving grace, as the previous week’s rain forced all classes into the indoor arena. Competitors held great attitudes with the decreased warm-up areas and smaller spaces. If 2020 taught us anything, it was “be grateful for the ability and opportunity to show!”

Numbers up as High Desert kicks off its 2021 season

From Horsetrader staff reports

PALMDALE — The High Desert Horse Show Association opened its 2021 season in the same way it wrapped up its 2020 campaign last fall — lots of entries, excitement and camaraderie.

The one-day HiDHA All Breed Show on March 21 featured a full slate of classes that attracted exhibitors from throughout Southern California for a chance to compete in their favorite English and Western disciplines.

“Our first show was the biggest we’ve seen in years!,” said Show Manager Heather Mathews. “I feel like people are just really wanting to just get out and spend time with their horse and enjoy time with their friends. We had a lot of new exhibitors which is great — as well as large groups of people who drove two or more hours to come show.”

Warm weather, hot competition greet WCRHA competitors

By Eileen Maxinoski / for the Horsetrader

CORNING — There was no “reining in the rain” at this year’s first show of the West Coast Reining Horse Association — as was often the case in previous years. Beautiful weather greeted a huge group of West Coast reiners who showed up with highly tuned reining horses for the annual NRHA-approved competition held at the Rolling Hills Equestrian Center on March 5-7.

West Coast Ranch Horse concludes its Winter Series

From Horsetrader staff reports

TEMECULA — West Coast Ranch Horse wrapped up a super Winter Buckle Series on Super Bowl weekend Feb. 7 at Tucalota Creek Ranch in Temecula.

SCRCHA launches season with ‘January Kickoff’

By Sue Carter / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Ready to dust off 2020 and hit the show pen, the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association launched its new season Jan. 8-10 with the Cow Horse Kickoff at California Ranch Company.

Beautiful weather, a great group of competitors and a return to a favorite venue added up to a super weekend that featured cutting and herd work on Friday and cow horse classes Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday, Roy Rich on Cat From Ipanema, owned by Rocking J Ranch, and Non Pro Melvin Reynolds on his Heatt started the weekend off by taking home a check and bragging rights in cutting. Rich and Cat From Ipanema also captured the Open herd work class, while Jeffrey Heyer, trained by Bob Grant, rode his PaddysStarlightChic to the Non Pro crown.

Saturday and Sunday’s cow horse classes were competitive with many familiar faces, as well as those out of the Southern California area, polishing their horses before heading to he NRCHA “Celebration of Champions” in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 9-20.

The standouts in Open divisions were Grant in Open Bridle on Cynthia Baker’s Nic It Smartly, Rich and Very Smart Look, and Caitlyn Showalter on Brazilian Belle, owned by Mary Houston. Charles Stevens, fresh in from Hawaii, rode his Red Voodoo Remedy to titles in both junior horse classes. Rich also took the Circuit Championship in the Open Bridle, and Tresha Geltner riding Judith Adkison’s Remedy To Shine was Circuit Champion in the Limited Open Bridle.

Winning the Non Pro Bridle division on Saturday was the familiar pair Rachel Reedy, who trains under Sunni McCormick, aboard her Uno Whats Right. Sunday’s Non Pro Bridle winner was Tracy Lynch, who also trains under McCormick, aboard Jim Putnam’s CD Rock Slide. Lisa Fonsen, who trains with Rich, won her divisions riding her RJ Where’s My Sock. Non Pro Bridle Circuit Champions were Lynch (Non Pro Bridle and Intermediate Non Pro Bridle), Fonden (Novice Non Pro Bridle), and Catherine Deel (Non Pro Hackamore), who trains with Rich.

The well-attended boxing division went to Nancy Nyjordet, another McCormick-trained rider, who took home the blues and the Non Pro Limited Circuit title on her Chickaroos Chance. Other Circuit Winners included Brenda Brown-trained riders Alexandra Veen in the 5K Division on her A Boy Named Su and Sheila Nash in the 1K riding her King Of The Coast.

In the Spectacular, Stevens won the Open on his Smartest Hotshot, with Fonden capturing the Non Pro on her RJ Where’s My Sock and Nyjordet winning the Non Pro Limited on her Chicaroo’s Chance.

More online: https://bit.ly/12Ascrcha

Carolyn Tachovsky and Diamonds In My Dreams take 2020 title

From Horsetrader staff reports

THERMAL — This one was NOT easy!

There was the pandemic. The lock-down. The changing of venues. Then, once a season was seemingly wrapped up and the California Reining Horse Association Reiner of the Year seemed ready to present, there was — a tie?

With its L.A. home locked down, CRHA moves to desert for 2020

From Horsetrader staff reports

THERMAL — A year that started out of the chute in Los Angeles with lots of potential wrapped up 150 miles away in the desert Oct. 20-25 with some terrific runs, as the California Reining Horse Association closed its 2020 season at the Challenge.

West Coast Ranch Horse
is putting entries — and
fun — into the arena

From Horsetrader staff reports

TEMECULA — Jenni Dawson entered her first ranch horse class a few years ago – in June 2017 at the Tumbleweed Riding Club open show in Lakeside, to be exact — and the rest is history.

Her show background, from ETI as a young rider in Lakeview Terrace to intercollegiate competition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, had been varied and rich. She had jumped a bit, did cutting, western pleasure and some reining. This was different.

HiDHA show season offers variety, competition — and lots of fun

Photos by Evon Kurtz Photography

PALMDALE — Obstacles play a big part in today’s popular horse show classes, but this year, obstacles also have gotten in the way of many 2020 shows. Eight months after COVID’s kickoff in March, some lockdowns remain in place at municipal show facilities, but like a clean trot over poles, some clubs managed to navigate problems and stitch together their show seasons.

THERMAL — The Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association hosted all seven of its 2020 medal finals at the National Sunshine Preview, held Oct. 23-25 and co-produced by LEG Shows & Events and the Desert International Horse Park. Additional sponsors included Hansen Dam Horse Park, Elvenstar, LEGISequine.com and SmartPak.:

Charley Stowell and Milan

Stowell and Elvenstar’s Milan won the LAHJA Junior Medal Final, laying down three consistent rounds to earn the overall championship in the LAHJA Junior Medal Final presented by LEGISequine.com.