OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – A pair of California non pros were West Coast headliners from the 2013 NRHA Derby, the association’s showcase competition for 4-, 5- and 6-year old reining horses that this year set a payout record of $948,000 to owners and nominators of open and non pro finalists.

One of those non-pro finalists, Kelly Moran, took her newest ride, Wimpys Mega Step (Wimpys Little Step x Moonstone Mega) to third in the Level 3 Non Pro Finals and 10th in the Level 4, earning a combined $10,110.

“Kelly did awesome,” said her trainer since 2009, Tracer Gilson of Sanger. “Since she’s been here, she’s probably tripled her lifetime earnings. She’s a sweetheart who works really hard at it.”

One of the nation’s top horse organizations, Equestrian Trails, Inc., has its annual Championship Show and Convention in Los Angeles on July 26-28. The fun lasts all year long, though, with memories made on the trail and the arena.

Massage, hydrotherapy, electro-magnetic pulses…there are interesting options today for Equine Therapy.

TULSA, Okla. — A wide array of Pinto horses, ponies and miniatures vied to be champions at the 2013 Pinto World Championship, held June 10-22. Exhibitors and their equines traveled far and wide to earn a multitude of prizes, awards and friendships.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — On a warm Southern California afternoon with temperatures reached into the 80s, twenty-one pairs rode a course set by designer Pierre Jolicoeur in the $30,000 Blenheim Red, White & Blue Grand Prix, presented by Markel Insurance. With a mix of rookies and veterans, both horse and rider, the track was inviting to all who entered. Of the ten who were clear in the first round, Brazilian Eduardo Menezes once again led the victory gallop, this time aboard Caruschka.

Are you ready to start reining? Need help with your horse? Join the California Reining Horse Association for its fabulous Beginner Reiner Clinic on July 28 at Green Oaks Ranch in Temecula. You’ll learn how to fine tune your maneuvers from some great, local California trainers! The rider fee of $150 for the day includes lunch, and if you’d prefer to audit the clinic, you can for just $30. And since you are marking your calendar, make sure you write in the CRHA’s Second Annual “Slide on the Beach Reining Show,” which will be held Aug. 4 at the River Valley Ranch in San Diego. With a full slate of CRHA classes, a Jack and Linda Baker qualifying class, and a Team Reining Jackpot, you’ll be in for a fun-filled day in the sun! See the ad on page 41 or call (951) 600-8999.

DEAR DANA: My newly purchased 3 year old foundation Quarter Horse has only had hunter under saddle training, although she was marketed as “good all around potential”. Actually, she has a very poor jog — when asked to jog slowly, she gets real shuffley and doesn’t maintain the two-beat gait. I would rather be going a little faster and have the true two beats vs. the shuffly look. Can you recommend ways to get feet moving more crisply?
–Anonymous

47th in a series
Last issue, Les introduced us to turnarounds – one crossover step at a time. Here is a review of key points for the turnaround before we start exercises next issue.