ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – When Katherine Rich-Elzig says it was a good show at Arabian Horse Association Youth Nationals, she is one to know: She has made it to the last 19 of them.

Rich-Elzig, the 31-year-old trainer at the venerable Green Acres Ranch in Temecula, won her first Youth National Championship in 1996 –- aboard Tinka-Exouds Son in Hunt Seat Equitation. Today, the third-generation Arabian horseperson is coaching pupils like Olivia Welch and Whitney Campbell to National Championships of their own at the show, she says, she likes above all others.

DEL MAR — Hap Hansen and Archie Bunker had another close call with career Grand Prix jumping win No. 100 on Aug. 25, leading midway through a jump-off of the $40,000 Blenheim Summer Classic before Patricio Pasquel of Mexico and Serge eclipsed them.

The duo brought excitement to the Showpark crowd at the event, presented by the California Horsetrader, just as they have all season. The anticipation of Hansen’s win No. 100 has been brewing since February when Hansen and Archie Bunker notched No. 99 at Thermal.

AUBURN — When the dust had settled Aug. 5 from the 57th Annual 100-mile Great Western States Trail Ride — better known as the venerable Tevis Cup — riders Garrett Ford and his wife, Lisa, politely took first and second, respectively, and Rusty Toth claimed the Haggin Cup with the best-conditioned horse, Farrabba while finishing fourth.

The trio were part of a quartet of competitors from Durango, Colo., that also included third-place finisher Kevin Myers in the top four placings.

Almost a decade after fires devastated Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, State Park officials will launch a series of public gatherings aimed at crafting a new long-range plan for the 24,700-acre park, long seen as one of San Diego County’s most popular and scenic expanses of backcountry.

Nedra Martinez, superintendent of the Palomar and Cuyamaca Rancho state parks, said the lingering fallout from the 2003 Cedar fire is forcing officials to rethink issues related to public access and preservation.

DEAR DANA: I have heard people refer to body language from time to time. What exactly are they talking about?
— LeeAnne, Elk Grove

DEAR LEEANNE: Great question! It doesn’t matter what event you ride in or what you do, knowing how to read your horse’s body language will help you. It can be a key to developing the wonderful relationship with your horse that we all seek.

27th in a series
Last issue, Les reviewed the critical role of timing in the release. Now we pick up with vertical flexion, first at a standstill, then on a straight line.

Your first attempt at vertical flexion can be done at the standstill. In the video component of the program you’ll see me working with riders at a clinic to get their horses to drop their noses in response to my hand and leg collection aids. Once you’ve watched it, go try it with your horse.

When one of the nation’s biggest stores holds its biggest Western sale of the year, you can bet the savings are big, too! Broken Horn’s Fifth Annual All Western Sale hits its aisles Sept. 15-16, and there will be lots of great specials, awesome savings and discounts on horse products and supplies, apparel and Western tack. There will also be hourly drawings for great prizes, along with four Grand Prize Saddle drawings held on Sunday at 4 p.m. You must dress Western to enter the drawings for super prizes like a pair of Wrangler jeans, Western boots, a Western shirt or a cowboy hat. Since 1956, Broken Horn has been the West’s largest tack store and a premier manufacturer of quality tack, custom saddles, year-end awards, tack repair and so much more! Sale hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. See the ad on pages 50-51, or call (626) 337-4266 for more info!