TEMECULA – When the Non Pro Triple Crown Stock Horse event fell off the schedule after 2009, Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association leaders Laura Edwards and Jimmy Flores, Jr., decided in September to pick it up. Remarkably, two months later on Nov. 18-19, the region’s top Non Pros brought Casner’s Ranch to life in a competition so successful that folks are looking ahead to next year.

With $10,000-added and more than $17,000 in payout, 22 prize buckles and other custom awards, the 2011 Triple Crown has returned, thanks largely to the Southern California’s swelling ranks of Non Pro competitors.

BURBANK — Sunday morning at the LA National (Nov 16-20) started out as a typical chilly and drizzly November day. However, after the second round of the historic and prestigious Onondarka Medal Final got under way, the drizzle turned into a downright downpour. The storm that was predicted to arrive later that afternoon hit several hours earlier than expected, and the sky darkened and brought icy wind and rain.

Sophie Simpson (Nick Haness, trainer) led after the first round, which ran on Saturday, with a score of 89 to Tylor Nowell’s (Nina Alario, trainer) 88.5, but in the second round Sophie soared ahead with a two-round average of 90.75 to Tylor’s 83.5. While the riders handled the rain and cold well, conditions continued to deteriorate.

FORT WORTH — Jo Anne Carollo of Atascadero has more than $523,000 in reined cow horse earnings, so now she’s taking a stab at cutting. The seasoned horsewoman took Fort Worth by storm, winning a Champion title at her first National Cutting Horse Association Futurity aboard What A Rey.

What A Rey (TR Dual Rey x Roosters Chicaroo x Gallo Del Cielo), owned and bred by Carollo and her husband Jim, marked a 214 from the first draw in the first bunch in the Limited Non-Pro finals. That score was enough to hold strong against the other 33 finalists, earning Carollo top honors and a $9,610 check.

HEY RAY: I’m looking to buy a horse and I’m really concerned about ending up with a ticking time bomb when what I need is a bomb-proof horse. Do you have any tips for me or red flags to look out for, since I can’t afford to take a professional with me?

— Karen Hutton, Apple Valley

HEY KAREN: I hate to tell you, but if you hope to end up with the right horse, you can’t afford not to take a professional with you. If you are looking to save a few bucks, you can do most of the running around until you narrow down the list to the two or three favorite horses that should be looked at by your trainer of choice. Believe me when I say, the best money you will ever invest in your horse will be the evaluation given by your professional. Part of that evaluation should include you riding one of the trainer’s lesson horses so that he may get a clear picture of the type and level of rider he will be buying for. The horse that you should see first with your trainer should be the one at the top of the list, and work down from there. That way you might get lucky and end up with your favorite horse and only pay for one pre-purchase evaluation.

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Don’t wait — give our office a call and put the Horsetrader to work for you, glossy in print and well-read online with more than 1,500 unique users daily on Horsetrader.com!

Eleventh in a series
Last issue, Les began a look at communicating with your seat. Now, let’s look at the legs.

I’m often asked: “When I use my legs, should I be kicking or holding them steady?” Well, just as we’ve talked about how you shouldn’t use steady pressure with your reins, I’m not a big believer in steady pressure with your legs either. A large percentage of the time, I’m going to have you bump the horse’s sides with your calves, or what I call your “boot tops.” To use your boot tops, you’ll turn your knee out so your calves can make contact with the horse’s side and then just bump your legs against him.

Learning to bump with your boot tops is going to make a huge difference in how your horse responds to you and how fast he learns. As an example, imagine you were talking with some friends and someone else walks up to get your attention. If he just lays his hand on your shoulder, you would feel it, but you might just keep going with your conversation; but on the other hand, if he comes up and starts poking you in the arm, you’ll probably pay attention. Using your leg on the horse is very similar. If you’re used to using your calf and pressing on the horse’s side, and he ignores you, where do you go? You’re going to have to press even harder or put on a pair of spurs to make your point. On the other hand, if you are bumping him with your boot tops, your cues are going to be a lot harder for him to ignore.

Another advantage of bumping with your boot tops is it will help you stay balanced and relaxed in the saddle. Any time you’re squeezing with your leg, you will probably be bracing with another part of your body to keep yourself balanced. When you’re riding, you always want to stay loose and relaxed, never stiff.

If there is no response to that, I can push my toe up and plant the spur on my horse’s side – then as I push my toe down the spur will roll up against his belly. When your foot is in the stirrup, the stirrup becomes a fulcrum to help you turn your toe up or down and allows you to use your spur for a controlled “roll” against your horse. It makes him pay attention.

As far as stabbing a horse with the spur, I think those days are gone; we don’t see that much anymore. And one of the main reasons is that it makes the horse tense up. When he sees your foot come out to the side as if you’re going to gouge him, he holds his breath and his neck gets stiff, so there goes my performance. So it’s boot tops first, then make contact with the rowel of your spur, and then roll it up if you need to.

As a horse gets further along I’ll just lay my leg on him first, then bump with my boot tops and so on. You always want to give him a chance to respond to the lightest cue – that’s how you get him light!

EDITOR’S NOTE: More with Les is a regular California Horsetrader column. Les Vogt has won more than 15 World Championships, including two wins at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. Although Les still rides and occasionally shows, his focus is giving clinics around the world and developing products for the performance horseman. To learn more about Les and to see his clinic schedule, visit: www.lesvogt.com

ABU DHABI, UAE– The U.S. finished fourth among 19 teams Dec. 10 at the FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship despite an uphill battle that included an injured horse at the first inspection.

“What an exhilarating team effort and realistically an unexpected result – but privately hoped for,” said Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross.