Ingalls dominates Hunter competition at Summer Festival

Special to the Horsetrader

DEL MAR—From the USHJA National Hunter Derby to the Markel Insurance 1.45m Grand Prix in the indoor on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the hunters galloping in the sunshine on the Grand Prix field, the Showpark Summer Festival proved to be a superb summer event July 19-21.

The expansive grass field hosted a new challenge, presented by USHJA Zone 10, featuring Amateurs in the rated divisions at 3’3″, and 3’6″, and also the 3’0″ Amateur Owner Hunters, presented by Outdoor Outfitters of California. All gathered on Saturday and Sunday for division competition, as well as hunter classics and special awards.

Mounted shooters claim titles at CSMA State Finals at Tejon Ranch

Special to the Horsetrader

Talented equestrian marksmen—and women—brought the Tejon Equestrian Center to life May 3-5 for the California State Mounting Shooting Finals competition.

Hosted by the California Peacekeepers, the South Pacific Region the event lasted three days and featured top shooters from California, Arizona and Nevada.

Special to the Horsetrader

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO—From The American Tradition of Excellence in the equitation ring to a plethora of pony events and a National Derby of with over 50 entries, the third week of the Blenheim EquiSports June Series was chock-full of competition, education, and social events.

The small, medium, and large ponies gathered in the Pacific Field on Wednesday afternoon for a model clinic and the pony fun continued for division competition, classics and derbies, a horsemanship test, lots of tasty treats, and special awards into the weekend.

On Wednesday afternoon, National Show Hunter Hall of Fame 2019 inductee, Carleton Brooks, along with his wife, Traci, hosted the first pony event of the week. Riders of all ages and pony divisions were able to bring their mounts to the Pony Model Clinic to learn technique and how to handle their pony’s personality.

Top West Coast juniors and amateurs compete in equitation challenge

Special to the Horsetrader

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO—Junior and Amateur riders from across the West Coast made up a field of over 90 competitors looking to gain solid miles and rise to the occasion in The American Tradition of Excellence Equitation Challenge, presented by Whitethorne.

At the conclusion of three phases and a work-off by the top six, 16-year-old Payton Potter earned the 2019 championship honors with a final point score of 269.5. Second to Potter was Julia Stone, who finished with 257.25 points. These two young riders each claimed another challenging 3’3” victory in the last two years, as the 2017 and 2018 champions of the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Finals.

San Diego Trail Alliance clinic brings horses and bikes together

From Horsetrader staff reports

LAKESIDE—What could possibly be more desensitizing for a group 14 trail horses than to line them up, facing across the arena from a similar amount of spooky mountain bikers?

How about sending everyone—riders and bikers—circling the arena at once? At different speeds!

From Horsetrader staff reports

Now in its 11th year, good vibrations are still going strong for the Surf N Turf Cow Horse clinic—for everyone. The fund-raiser for Surfers Healing, a non-profit foundation for autism, was the brainchild of Izzy and Danielle Paskowitz. Izzy, a former world champion surfer, and Danielle, a talented non-pro cowhorse competitor, founded Surfers Healing in 1996 after Izzy one day discovered the rejuvenative power surfing had on their autistic son, Isaiah.

Jason Grimshaw, Sippin Boons Farm win Open Bridle at Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial

From Horsetrader staff reports

TEMECULA—The old song, “It Never Rains in California,” was out of tune in May, but raindrops didn’t dampen spirits of the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association at its Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial.

The event, held May 17-19 at Green Acres Ranch, drew top competition from the region.

Top competition, great environment reveal why El Rancho Spring Classic is a West Coast gem

Special to the Horsetrader

RANCHO MURIETA—The El Rancho Spring Classic presented by Carol Ward, owner of Carol Ward Cutting Horses and the host Murieta Equestrian Center, took place April 25-28.

The El Rancho Cutting Horse Association, an NCHA Affiliate, prides themselves on promoting one of the last outdoor cuttings on the West Coast. Competitors come from all over the Western United States to compete at one of the premier cutting facilities.

Special to the Horsetrader

LAKE VIEW TERRACE—Shawn Flarida, the winningest reiner of all time, came to Hansen Dam Horse Park May 11-12 for a two-day clinic presented by LEGISequine.com, Langer Equestrian Group, Ariat, and Foran Performance Horses.

Flarida, the first and only reiner to ever slide into six million dollars of winnings, shared his wealth of knowledge with riders and auditors alike. He is a six-time NRHA Open Futurity Champion, six-time NRHA Open Derby champion and four-time NRBC Champion. The 2011 NRHA Hall of Fame inductee also was the inaugural WEG Reining Individual Gold Medalist. “Shawn was very generous with his knowledge,” said Tom Foran of Foran Performance Horses. “With Shawn there are no secrets. He’s patient with everyone. He’s as good of a teacher as he is a showman and horse trainer.”

By Lorraine Smith | for the Horsetrader

ELK GROVE—This year, the Rein for the Roses May 2-5 was extra special, as show exhibitors and attendees celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Derby on the Derby, held at the beautiful facilities of the Brookside Equestrian Center. The Derby on the Derby went back to the basics by holding one special event on Saturday, which proved to be a very well-attended and entertaining event. Brookside welcomed back judges Kristen Lilley and Dave Belson to judge the show, which was the second NRHA affiliate show of the season for the West Coast Reining Horse Association.