SACRAMENTO — Make it two in a row for Ron Emmons and Olena Oak.

The Plymouth, Calif. trainer and the 2003 stallion owned by Mel Smith and Nichole Scott returned to the Magnificent 7 All Around Stock Horse Championship and went home with the defense of their title.

The duo showed in four events — herd work, reined work, fence work and steer stopping — and scored a decisive win over 11 other entries in the event, sponsored by Western Horsemen magazine and hosted by the Western States Horse Expo at Cal Expo.

Jeff Kirkbride photo

After her first time in the saddle at the PtHA World Show, Pat Langston of Banning and at brought home a pair of Reserve World titles with Cash Bar Interest.

TULSA — Pat Langston of Banning may not have started riding until she turned 60, but the former show mom is making up for lost time on the show circuit.

Along with her daughter Kelly, the pupil of Redlands trainer Kirsten Hertsgaard competed at the 46th Annual Pinto World Championship Horse Show with her new gelding, Cash Bar Interest, and came away with a handful of ribbons.

“There are nine of us girls from Kirsten’s barn, and we girls grabbed our horses and went down there for 2 1/2 weeks and played really hard,” said Pat, who took Elite Amateur Division (55-over) Reserve PtHA World titles in both Western Pleasure and Discipline Rail on her 10-year old APHA-PtHA gelding. “When I first got to ride him four months ago, I was so novice, I didn’t know anything. Kristen’s been working with me and Kelly rides him, too — I got to do some really good time on him and he just came together for me.”

Flying Horse photo

Salvador Onate and Charro celebrate the win with friends and family in the $30,000 Red, White & Blue Grand Prix July 3 in San Juan Capistrano.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Salvador Onate of Mexico is finding his first year on the American circuit most enjoyable.

Riding Charro, Onate exhibited speed and precision to top 33 other entries and win the $30,000 Red, White & Blue Grand Prix on July 3.  Course designer Anderson Lima of Brazil had set a technical track with 16 efforts as well as a tight time allowed. Six pairs successfully rode without fault in the first round, four going double clear. Going 29th, Onate had the advantage of seeing the track.

“When I was walking the course, I thought it would be a difficult run to make a clear round,” Onate said. “I had to focus on the strides, because there were many options. I had the opportunity of watching a couple of riders do it, and then I took my options.”

Sheri Scott photo

Jenni Martin-McAllister and Glados welcome the week with a win in the $2,500 Open Welcome Stake.

WOODSIDE — The Woodside Circuit Opener June 22-26 kicked off the Woodside Summer Circuit with beautiful weather, fierce competition, and fun people. Some of those who had the most fun were the junior riders, who showed they are a force to contend with.

The juniors swept the competition in the $10,000 Woodside Jumper Classic on Saturday night. An exciting class led to a very dramatic finish with two juniors taking the top prizes after putting in the only two double-clear rounds of the competition. Brittany Albrecq (Jenni Martin-McAllister, trainer) was the first to go clear and first to come back for the seven-horse jump-off aboard her Union Jack. Haley Roberson (Rachel Yorke, trainer) was right behind her with Chantre (Equinity, LLC, owner), and she knew she had to be quick to win.

Sheri Scott photo

Julie Keville-Young and Georgetown win the $2,500 USHJA National 3’ Hunter Classic

With five jump-off rides remaining, Roberson watched every trip nervously.

“I was most worried about Maja Lindeman and Live Fire (Vicki Juelsgaard, owner),” commented Roberson, although Maja, trainer at Willow Tree, had an unfortunate rail in the jump-off. While a few riders crossed the wire in time, none could catch Roberson without dropping a rail, and she rode away with the top prize and left Albrecq in second.

First In A Series

In the next few installments, Les Vogt takes you through exercises of his Five Easy Pieces. When you’ve mastered them, you should be able to put any part of your horse’s body where you want it, without resistance.

Doesn’t it take your breath away to watch a sensational reining or cow horse perform? It does to me, just like it did back when I was a kid and I saw my first stock horse in action. But the best thing about it is that these horses just keep getting better and better. First, because we’re breeding them better, and second, because we’re riding them better. And the biggest key I have found in developing that brilliant performance is the time that I spend getting complete body control during the foundation stage of my training on a young horse.

Need some practice for the upcoming futurity season? Fairlea Ranch in Exeter will be offering futurity practice sessions the weekend of Aug. 6-7. Saturday will feature cutting, and Sunday will be used for reining and cow work.  Because of a limited number of stalls and slots, the Fairlea Ranch folks urge you to call and make your reservation now! (559) 594-5400, See the ad on page 80.

Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center welcomes renowned trainer and clinician Don Stewart for an educational clinic on Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug. 9-10. Stewart is a two-time Chronicle Hunter Horseman of the Year, chairman of the USHJA Junior Hunter Task Force, and top trainer to many champion riders and horses as well as a highly regarded judge. Clinic riders will receive four hours of instruction in groups of six to eight horses, and stabling is available. Organizers are suggesting that applications be submitted early because of high demand. For more info, call (714) 848-6565, and se the ad on page 81.

Join Hidden Hills Equestrian Ranch on Saturday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for its Grand Opening Celebration! This full service boarding and training facility in Bonsall now offers a variety of boarding options, including a beautiful, new showcase barn. There is a large pleasure arena with lights, two 60-foot round pens, tack sheds, turn-outs, wash racks, groomed and chipped trail endurance conditioning course…and much more! Hidden Hills even has mare breeding and foaling facilities, stallion standing and a breeding center. Come enjoy lunch, refreshments and special presentations — and help welcome Laura Cronk Equine Management to Hidden Hills. To RSVP and to learn more, call (760) 468-3691. See the ad on page 34.

Tierra Del Norte Arabian Horse Association will host its Second Annual Lou Roper Clinic on Sunday, July 31, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. at the Roper Ranch in San Marcos. Come and enjoy the magic of Lou in beautiful Twin Oaks! This is an “audit-only class”, and your $30 fee includes breakfast and lunch. Lou will cover beginning to bridle-less training. Find out his training techniques toward becoming the ultimate horseman. If you’re interested in having a particular topic covered, please submit questions via email to theworksi@aol.com before July 29. To register, call Cheryl Goodheim at (760) 434-5663. See the ad on page 80.

The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse will present its 2011 National Celebration on Aug. 30-Sept. 3 at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nev. In addition to the morphology, working equitation, performance, heritage and specialty classes, there will also be Dressage at Celebration – with a $5,000 Musical Freestyle Challenge! And don’t miss the must-see ‘Horse of the Kings Theater’ show on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m., presenting Mystic PRE. With vendors, an art show, exhibitions, clinics and more, this is the premier event for the Pure Spanish Horse in the U.S. For more info, call (505) 294-0800. See the ad on page 10.

Los Vaqueros de las Montanas Riding Club will celebrate “Old Miner’s Days” in Big Bear with their “Burro-Palooza!” The July 25-27 event at the Los Vaqueros Rodeo Grounds will feature a Burro Derby, Junior Rodeo and a Donkey Softball Tournament. Come cheer on local teams and enjoy the fun! See the ad on page 78.

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