Stagecoach Trails Horse Camping
Julian, California
(760) 765-3765
www.stagecoachtrails.com
The great outdoors awaits you at Stagecoach Trails, a delightful and relaxing discovery east of historic Julian in San Diego County adjacent to the beautiful Anza Borrego State Park. Rich in history, wildlife, desert flowers and unspoiled landscapes, the State Park provides Stagecoach campers with a variety of ways to relax and or be active: horseback riding, jeep touring, hiking, or discovering native encampments with pictographs, morteros and other interesting artifacts. Nearby Ghost Mountain was home for Marshall South and his family in their Native American experiment in the late 1930s. Stagecoach Trails offers its guests information and maps on these and other attractions nearby.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — After the media frenzy which surrounded U.S. Dressage Team member Jan Ebeling at last summer’s Olympic Games, he and his mount Rafalca enjoyed a quiet winter away from the spotlight. The well-deserved vacation obviously benefited both rider and horse as they put in strong winning performances at the Festival of the Horse & CDI 3*/Y/J held March 27-30 at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park.

THERMAL — With a first-place prize of $350,000 on the line, Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum rose to the occasion, piloting Bella Donna to a paycheck she will not soon forget as winner of the first-ever AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini Newport Beach. The best of only two clear rounds, Michaels-Beerbaum and the 10-year-old mare that she co-owns with EOS Sport capitalized on a successful season at HITS Desert Horse Park with the sweetest win of them all.

It’s that time of year again! Broken Horn Saddlery’s Sixth Annual All English Sale is getting near — two days only on April 20-21. Doors will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from 9 to 5. This is more of an “event” than just a sale, and you can expect awesome specials and discounts on horse products, supplies, apparel and English tack. There will be thousands of dollars in hourly drawings and four English saddles will be available as grand prizes! To enter the great drawings, you must dress English or present a photo of yourself in English riding attire. 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! The store is located within easy access of the 10 and 605 freeways in Baldwin Park. Check out the ad on pages 52-53, and call (626) 337-4266 to learn more!

40th in a series
After last issue’s look at alignment, Les begins detailed instruction on collection.

Objectives
– To concentrate on driving your horse from the back with your legs, in order to create a soft, round frame.
– To continue to integrate the concept of 50 percent hands/50 percent legs into your riding.
– To learn how to handle a tough or belligerent horse.
– To learn about the elevator bit and how it can help you in your training program.

DEAR DANA: I have a 2-year-old reining-bred filly that I have started myself. I am an amateur, but I’ve ridden for all my life. This is only the second horse I have started myself. My problem is that every time I stop her, she roots her head and neck out of my hands. I don’t want to be too tough on her mouth by jerking her, but I feel that a bad habit is starting to develop.
Bonnie, Oakdale

BRAUNSCHWEIG, Germany — The FEI World Cup Vaulting Final wrapped-up March 17 with France and Italy earning the top spots in the Men’s and Women’s Finals, respectively. A total of seven nations took part in the two Finals and, demonstrating the growth of the sport over the past few years, the United States was represented for the first time by male vaulter Gabe Aniello.