BURBANK — The Bunny Slide, the California Reining Horse Association’s first competition of the year, hopped into the Los Angeles Equestrian Center April 5-7, attracting established regional talent along with some newcomers looking to enjoy the popular sport.

With 175 horses competing for payouts over $12,000, this was no Easter egg hunt, as reiners vied for the payout and a variety of points. Not only were CRHA year-end and Reiner of the Year points at stake, so were points for respective NRHA Affiliate and AQHA qualifications, as well as PCHA points for the popular Jack and Linda Baker Finals event.

“We had a really nice show,” said CRHA Secretary Marilyn Scheffers, whose club will host another NRHA Affiliate-qualifier, the $11,500-added Reiner Shine, June 5-7 at the LAEC. “It was big. We pretty much had every trainer that’s on board, and we’re enjoying looking at bringing in new people now.”

What do mint juleps, elaborately decorated hats and sea breezes have in common? The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition’s Fifth Annual Kentucky Derby Hat Party at the Regency Theatre in San Juan Capistrano. Join the SJCEC on Saturday, May 2, at 1 p.m. for this annual fundraiser. There will be prizes and drawings, food and flair, exciting race coverage in the theatre and a post-race showing of the film “50 to 1” about an underdog race horse from the Southwest qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. Limited seating will be available, so order your tickets early. You may purchase tickets at the theatre box office or RegencyMovies.com. For more information, visit www.sjcec.org. See ad on page 77.

TEMECULA — Tivoli and James Alliston jumped brilliantly and faultlessly around the cross-country course to win the CIC3* at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials, finishing on their dressage score of 49.5.

Alliston and Tivoli took over the lead with a faultless show jumping round on Friday, and their fast cross-country round on Saturday kept them comfortably ahead of John Michael Durr on Esprit De La Danse (52.4) and Jolie Wentworth on GoodKnight (53.6).

Tivoli and Alliston won the Galway Downs CIC3* in March 2012, and that November they followed up that victory with another one in the Galway Downs CCI3*. But then foot problems and a dispute about his ownership kept Tivoli out of action for more than a year. Tivoli, 15, has since had surgery to remove a chip in his hoof, and Alliston is now his sole owner.

“He’s won a lot over the years, but I think I forgot what it felt like to win a big event like this,” said Alliston, of San Ramon. “It’s great fun to ride him around a big course - he’s so scopey. He makes big jumps feel not big, which is a very nice feeling. When they’re near the edge of what they can do, it’s a big deal if you make a mistake at a jump.”

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Saturday afternoon was filled with awards and accolades for a range of recipients, beginning with the $10,000 CardFlex 1.35m Jumper Classic, the $500 Grooms’ Class, sponsored by Shapley’s, and culminating with the $50,000 Spring Classic III Grand Prix, presented by EquiFit, Inc.

Andrew Kocher took home the top prize in the 1.35m Jumper Classic, sponsored by CardFlex, on Ciana (owned by Eagle Valley Partners, LLC), going quick and clear in the jump-off in 43.16 seconds. Eduardo Menezes and his own Carushka narrowly missed the win, stopping the clock in 43.30 for a close second place. The winners of Thursday’s Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix, Nayel Nassar and Nakich Double Dutch (Madeleine Wilson, owner), sped through the timers in 44.66 seconds to take home third.

As the riders took to the Grand Prix field to walk the course, the gleaming horses entered in the $500 Grooms’ Class sauntered in. Standing in center field the grooms illustrated all the essentials used to keep riders and horses prepared to enter the ring beautifully. Adolfo Garcia of Revolution Farms took home the win, showing off Laura Hite’s Chapot Z in pristine, sparkling condition.

If you want to see a different result, an improvement in your riding ability, or an improvement with a specific issue that you experience with your horse — no matter how big or small – then you need to make a change in your current approach. Learn to break down the task into smaller components that your horse can better understand.

They say the definition of madness is to do the same thing over and over, yet expect different results. You need to change the formula.

RANCHO SANTA FE — Swaying eucalyptus trees, the sweet scent of jasmine, and golden sunlight on the hillsides; if ever a community could be described as epitomizing all that’s beautiful in Southern California, it’s Rancho Santa Fe.

Rancho Santa Fe is situated 20 miles north of downtown San Diego and only four miles from the ocean. It is filled with upscale homes, luxurious golf courses, an exclusive tennis club, and plenty of horses.

Not only is Rancho Santa Fe known for its beauty and wealth (it is the highest income community in the United States), it is also renowned for the expertise of many of the equestrians who live and train there.

The town is a haven for those who are serious about their horses.

ENCINITAS — Many towns north of San Diego contribute to San Diego County’s reputation as being one of the most beautiful places in the United States. But two of the region’s crowning jewels—both with an equestrian flair—have to be Encinitas and Olivenhain.

Characterized by pristine beaches, rolling hills and bucolic ranches, Encinitas and Olivenhain are not only renowned for their beautiful scenery and perfect weather but also for the richness of their equestrian communities.

Welcome to spring, which means show season begins. Carriage driving shows share their history with the old agricultural fairs, where farmers and breeders would bring their best animals to sell or to publicize their breeding services. The good working animals would be paraded around for the prospective buyers, both private and military, and the general public who admired good horses and their beauty would also attend. The sellers then would compete their horses against one another with hopes of attracting the highest bidder.

Carriage and wagon builders would also bring their latest models to display to prospective buyers, very much like a trade show at a fair. Today, we carry on this tradition with horse shows. Some shows have both riding and driving classes, while others are events completely dedicated to driving.