PASO ROBLES — While open competitors tuned their show horses in the two weeks before the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, Richard Winters was working in Parkfield.

Without pause, there was the all-women’s horsemanship retreat he and wife Cheryl conduct each year at the V-6 Ranch, followed by a pair of “ultimate horse” clinics — back-to-back-to-back — and then a haul straight to the Mid State Fairgrounds where he “got into horse show mode.”

“That’s the tough deal for me, knowing that I’ve got to compete against guys who have not been sitting out here talking to the average clinic participant about their horses,” said Richards, who loves his 25-year work as a popular clinician and teacher and who also has had a lifelong passion for reined cow horses. “They’ve been schooling their cow horses. They are getting ready to compete, and here I am out here. You just do what you can do.”

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Back in the saddle after being sidelined with a winter leg injury at HITS Thermal, Susie Hutchison was on fire a the Blenheim June Classic II, winning two major events in a single day.

You could call June 14 “Susie Sunday” after the Temecula-based star rode to wins in both the afternoon $30,000 June Classic Grand Prix and the $7,500 CashCall Mortgage Futurity earlier in the day. She rode St. Bride Farm’s Ziedento to the grand prix win over Francie Steinwedell-Carvin aboard Lapsus du Lavoir, and she took 8-year-old SIG Firecracker to the futurity title.

From the hilltop VIP tent to the grassy knoll, there was a sizable crowd soaking up the Southern California sun while watching show jumping at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano. Mexican course designer Javier Fernandez designed the track, with standout challenges in the first round, including a short turn to the Michael & Kenzie vertical line in five strides to the open water jump and an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination going away from the in-gate towards the end.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Forty-seven small, medium and large ponies competed on the grass in the Zone 10 Pony Challenge open and green divisions. With model and under saddle classes on Saturday morning, ice cream and cupcakes in the afternoon, and an over-fences portion on Sunday morning, the tinier yet talented troop had an excellent showing.

Ten-year-old Augusta Iwasaki had her work cut out for her, riding seven ponies between the open and green divisions. After the two days of competing were complete, Iwasaki and her medium pony Somekindawonderful garnered a model score of 88, under saddle of 92 and another 88 over fences for a total of 268 points and the Overall Grand Champion honors.

Overall Reserve Grand Champion went to Small Addition, piloted by Juliette Joseph and owned by Iwasaki & Reilly, who finished with scores of 90, 92 and 82 for a total of 264.

BURBANK — With $11,500 in added money, a pair of National Reining Horse Association Affiliate-qualifers, and added APHA classes to accompany PCHA and AQHA ones, the Reiner Shine Horse Show had a lot going for it.

Not to mention those talented reiners.

Good crowds and good times filled the weekend June 4-7 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, as the California Reining Horse Association hit its mid-year stride with a competition that boosted members’ campaigns to qualify for year-end opportunities.

From youth to non pros to open, competition was sharp. Ryan Kali and Ben Balow were judges.

Elaine Davis went home with a pair of Circuit Championships with her Custom Made Nic, taking the Limited Non Pro title along with the Novice Horse Championship. Finishing reserve to Custom Made Nic in the respective classes were Rebecca Armour on San Cielo Rey in the Limited Non Pro competition, and Taylor Stephens in the Novice Horse.

Connie Amelang
Alam Realty
Inland Empire and High Desert
760.792.6477
We are in a “healthy” real estate market where the prices are trending upward steadily but not at a high rate. We are expecting single digit appreciation in California for 2015 and that is fine. Over-inflation causes problems of its own. Buyers are buying, and with the help of their agent, are doing their research on prices of the properties they are viewing. If a property is priced right (in line with comparables), the sellers are many times getting full price offers. If the property is over-priced we are seeing few showings and few, if any, offers. CalBRE #00896631

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