LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The 2012 High Roller Reining Classic held at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center Sept. 9-15 drew more raves this year, with entries up 37 percent over 2011 and competition that continues to impress.

The depth of entries in each class resulted in some of the toughest competition in the country. And, while familiar faces like Andrea Fappani rose to the top, so did young talent like 27-year-old Cody Clock of Day Creek Ranch in Simi Valley, who took Intermediate, Limited and Level 1 championship honors in the $70,000 Added Spooks Gotta Gun Open Futurity on Chics Dream About Me.

PASO ROBLES — Bea DiGrazia of Stillwater Farms in Carmel Valley made an impressive showing aboard Lad’s Night Night at the Twin Rivers Fall Horse Trials, held Sept. 19-23 at Twin Rivers Ranch.

DiGrazia won all three phases in capturing the Advanced Division title over James Alliston, who took the second-, third- and fourth-place spots in the Advanced Division on Parker, Tivoli and The Alchemyst, respectively. Bunny Sexton was fourth on Rise Against.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The Blenheim Indoor Arena was bursting at its seams Sept. 14 during the $50,000 Blenheim World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Summit General Insurance Agency.

Spectators filed in by the bus loads and with standing room only, equestrian fans of all ages got to witness the veteran rider Rusty Stewart and his incredible 10-year-old mount, Bristol, ride a perfect round and win his second consecutive World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. The pair has been on a roll all season, but it takes the perfect pair to stay on their game and post back-to-back World Cup Qualifier victories. Stewart proved his mount was credible just two weeks ago in Del Mar when they posted the only double clear effort in the $50,000 Showpark World Cup Grand Prix presented by California Horsetrader. Stewart knew Bristol was just as good indoors and could, without question, perform just as well. Stewart was right on the money.

DEAR DANA: I am having trouble with my horse refusing to walk when I reverse in my Western Pleasure class. She is an older mare who has been shown a lot and wants to jiggy jog when we reverse.
— Lee, Woodland

DEAR LEE:I have some suggestions that I know will help you with your horse.

American Horse Publications, a trade group for horse-oriented publications and websites, conducted its second online nationwide equine industry survey from March 5th to May 20th this year, and upon reviewing results, a leading analyst sees indications of a recovery.

Dr. C. Jill Stowe, an associate professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky, provided consultation and data analysis services for data collection and analysis to AHP for the survey, which quizzed men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own or manage at least one horse and live in the United States. The anonymous study was sponsored by the Kentucky Equine Research, Merck Animal Health, and Pfizer Animal Health.

The National Reining Horse Association has a new addition to its elite group of Four Million Dollar Sires: Gunner. The Hall of Fame inductee, Gunner (AQHA Colonels Smoking Gun, APHA Colonels Smokingun) has soared from NRHA Three to Four Million Dollar Sire status in less than a year due to the overwhelming success of his progeny. As of Sept. 12, Gunner’s official offspring NRHA Lifetime Earnings are $4,009,637.

World Cup-qualifiers meet the zombies this month at the Del Mar Fairgrounds where the Del Mar Fall Festival Horse Show will combine top hunter-jumper competition with a great time. Excitement is building on both counts. The $55,000 Villas at Rancho Valencia World Cup Grand Prix of Del Mar on Oct. 27 –- presented by California Horsetrader — is also a qualifying event for the new HITS Thermal Million Grand Prix League, and it’s expected to attract the top caliber equestrian athletes – and a large crowd! During the Grand Prix, exhibitors and the public can enjoy the Del Mar Halloween Party and take their best shot at $2,500 in cash prizes for the best costumes. There will also be a thrilling surprise performance featuring…oh, we can’t say! Before all the nighttime excitement, spectators can enjoy clinics by world-class clinicians Rich Fellers, Bernie Traurig, Mandy Porter and Will Simpson. Mark your calendars! The Fall Equestrian Festival runs Oct. 17-28. For additional information, see the ad on page 81.

29th in a series
Last issue, Les drilled down in detail lessons on achieving vertical flexion. Softness in the neck is key. Here’s a look.

Again, the first place that resistance is going to show up is in your horse’s neck. You’re going to ask him to do something, and rather than softly responding he’s going to stiffen his neck and brace against your hand. You simply have got to train yourself to not let this happen. You have to insist that he be soft in the poll at all times.