WOODSIDE – -With a fly-by performed by an American Bald Eagle on opening day, spectacular Bay Area weather and the region’s best reiners vying for $180,000 in added money and prizes, the 2013 Reining By The Bay just had to thrive. And it did.

The event, held July 17-21 at the Horse Park at Woodside, was the second of a three show reining circuit by Brumley Management Group, falling between March’s Cactus Reining Classic in Scottsdale and the High Roller Reining Classic in Las Vegas set for Sept. 6-14.

WOODSIDE – Pardon the prejudice, but last August when Dana Avila was looking for a new reining horse, the 4-year-old filly that her husband, Bob, asked her to try had one major flaw. She was a she.

DEL MAR — Only one double clear round, that of Jaime Azcarraga riding Anton, took home the trophy Aug. 3 in the $30,000 August Festival Grand Prix, presented by Equine Insurance.

With 37 entries, Anderson Lima of Mexico set a course that only seven managed to ride without error –and only one rode both rounds with no faults at all.

“I thought it was a really nice course by Anderson because it was not too big, but all the fences came down and it was very technical,” said the winner, Azcarraga.

49th in a series
Last issue, Les put us to work with basic exercises of the turnaround. Now we’ll add a couple new ones.

The High Roller Reining Classic is just around the corner! Scheduled for Sept. 7-14 at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, this first-class event offers something for everyone — including the new $65,000 Added Whizkey N Diamonds 4-year Old Stakes, which is a fantastic opportunity for those young 4-year old horses to compete for big money and prizes against only horses their own age. More than $300,000 in cash and prizes will be attract top NRHA professionals and Million Dollar Riders to South Point from all over the U.S. and Canada. The venue is a spectator favorite, as it provides the chance to enjoy competition in a comfortable indoor atmosphere. The South Point Hotel and Casino is attached to the arena and stabling areas, providing unparalleled ease of access to all that the event has to offer, including multiple vendors selling everything from cowboy boots and belt buckles to jewelry and clothing. See the ad on page 33 for more info, or call (602) 677-3774.

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Ashlee Bond went double-clear on Chela L-S to capture the Grand Prix of Huntington Beach Aug. 10, moving her up into third place in the GGT Series standings.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress has left Washington for their annual five week August recess. During this time they will be back in their home states and districts meeting with constituents and holding town halls. The American Horse Council says this is an excellent time to connect with your Senators or Representative either at an event or one-on-one, without taking a trip to Washington.