TEMECULA — Familiar faces as well as fresh ones rose to the top at the eighth annual Shootout held by the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association, which wrapped up its 2013 show season at Casner’s Ranch on Oct. 18-20.

Sunday afternoon’s Shootout, which has open, non pro and limited non pro divisions, followed a pair of weekend shows with NRCHA and AQHA approved classes, as well as the “Cut For A Cause” on Friday. The benefit cutting raised $7,000 to go along with another $5,000 from a silent auction, with proceeds going to the Surfers Healing program.

John Farris and his gelding, Boomba Chic, returned to the arena after a year’s layoff and won the Non Pro Shootout. “Red Ned”, as he is known in trainer Glen Aspinall’s barn, won the 2012 SCRCHA Shootout, then missed 2012 competition to allow for rehabilitation of a leg injury.

DEL MAR — Even Del Mar’s own crew of bloodthirsty zombies couldn’t stop Vinton Karrasch and Coral Reef Baloufino from delivering a breathtaking clear round well within the time allowed to clinch the Rancho Valencia World Cup Grand Prix of Del Mar Oct. 26.

An enthusiastic crowd – many in costume – enjoyed seeing 38 of the top Grand Prix riders and horses in the country take on the myriad challenges posed by Marina Azevedo’s extremely technical course. Out of 38 entries, only Vinton and Coral Reef Baloufino executed a round that left every rail intact, coming in well under the 74-second time.

Los Angeles celebrated the Day of the Horse on Oct. 2, and the city put horses front and center at City Hall. The Los Angeles Equine Advisory Committee (LAEAC), created by City Council, with the help from Councilman Tom LaBonge, advises Los Angeles City Council on equestrian issues.

The LAEAC is working with the City’s Planning Department to preserve endangered agricultural and horse keeping areas within the City of Los Angeles. With L.A. City and L.A. Recreation and Parks support, the LAEAC erected two pipe corrals provided by East Valley Feed & Tack and placed horses in them on the South Lawn of City Hall. The LAEAC members put the corrals in place and removed them later in the morning to highlight the speed of installing “pipe corrals” for horse keeping. City Planning regards pipe corrals as permanent structures requiring the same building permits as needed for a barn.

San Marcos, with its cool climate, easy access, gentle valleys and trails, has always been a favorite horse community in San Diego County. It also has supportive equestrian groups like Twin Oaks Equestrian Association, which held its annual Horse Heritage Festival and Trails Day Oct. 13.

Funds raised at the event help maintain the only public equestrian facility left in the county, at the city’s Walnut Grove Park and is available year-round for a variety of horse shows with its acces to the extensive trails. It also serves as an evacuation center, if necessary. Funds raised also benefited the San Marcos Historical Society’s Heritage Park, located in Walnut Grove Park.

MORE ONLINE: http://www.keepitequestrian.com/

54th in a series
Last issue, Les laid out the critical piece to a stop: collection. Now we break down the components further.

Looking for a top notch gelding? A well-broke trail or reining horse? The Twombly Performance Horse Sale will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas! This is one of the best broke gelding sales in the U.S., specializing in reining, ranch broke and trail riding geldings — and features lots of duns and buckskins! They’ll also be selling the entire Zan It 2013 foal crop by private treaty. For directions and more information about the sale, see the ad on page 73, and call (308) 783-1866. You also can check out early consignments and view videos on www.TwomblyArena.com.