BAKERSFIELD — With a total purse of more than $47,000, the California Horse Trials cow horse event put on by the Valley Cow Horse Association May 3-5 at the Sundance Arena brought out the region’s best.

Derby classes were particularly well received — and well-rewarded. In the $10,000-added Open Derby, Lance Johnston took Mary Stroud’s Silky Smooth Hickory to a win that paid $6,210. With their second- and first-place finishes, respectivey, in the Open and Intermediate Open Derbies, John Ward and Got To Go Get It earned a combined $6,060.

DEL MAR — On two gorgeous southern California afternoons, two fabulous rides earned the lead in the high performance victory gallops for the $60,000 Grand Prix of California, sponsored by Equ Lifestyle and presented by Ferrari & Maserati of San Diego, and the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, both on the grass Grand Prix Field. The competition was fierce with almost forty entries in both classes.

TEMECULA — Reiners kept up their competitive pace May 5, as the California Reining Horse Association held a one-day jackpot event at the Tucalota Creek Ranch.

Pat Wickenheiser judged the event, which counted toward CRHA year-end points as well as the CRHA “Reiner of the Year” to be held in October at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

SAN MARCOS — Horse 4Heroes, a non-profit effort launched in 2006 nationwide, has launched a new event.

Horse 4Heroes provides affordable recreational, instructional and health and wellness equestrian programs and activities for active duty military personnel, veterans and Wounded Warriors, first responders, critical care and hospice nurses, special education teaches, and their families. The organization was spawned after the tragic events of 9/11, and the heroic acts that followed at home and abroad.

Every mom came up roses at the Cowboy Classic Horse Show May 12 – Mother’s Day – in Chino Hills.

43rd in a series
After sharing insight on components of collection last issue, Les points out cause and effect of key obstacles.

In my clinics I run into a lot of horses that are fairly advanced but often they have got a hole in them. And the common problem and the common fix are going to be the same and it’s the neck. Often times these horses have an attitude in certain places. Every now and then they decide to rebel, to defy you. And what area of the horse shows defiance first? The neck! If it stiffens up, it’s the first signal that you are about to go for a ride that you’re not asking for.

Come enjoy talented, gorgeous horses and the beautiful wine country of Temecula at the 52nd All Morgan Spring Classic Horse Show, presented by the Morgan Horse Club of Southern California (MHCSC) May 25-27 at Casner Ranch. A full slate of classes including halter, English, driving, Western, hunt and carriage classes will be on tap, and for the younger set, there will be walk-trot and leadline classes. This year, MHCSC has added two new events of interest to the general public: on Saturday afternoon, there will be a presentation on Cowboy Dressage, narrated by Garn Walker, a well-respected Northern California trainer and judge. On Sunday, there will be a “Showcase of Morgans” available for purchase. Come enjoy and learn more about this wonderful breed! Call Mary at (951)737-1294 for details.