BURBANK — With a name like the “Bunny Slide”, there’s a tendency to take this springtime reining event as something cute and cuddly. But any reiner who has competed in this growing California Reining Horse Association event knows it’s no Easter egg hunt.

The four-day CRHA Bunny Slide, held April 1-3 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, this year featured more than 500 go’s, as competitors filled two areas all day Saturday and Sunday. Show officials reported more than $24,000 in pay-outs.

“Since the conception of the Bunny Slide in 2013, the show has far exceeded the expectations and goals set by the CRHA Board of Directors,” said CRHA Secretary Marilyn Scheffers. “I think the success of the CRHA shows has come from many things — quality judges that know reining, consistent footing and grooming of the arenas, organized show management, and most importantly, the loyalty of the members, volunteers and sponsors who support and attend CRHA events.”

Steffen Peters and Rosamunde, owned by Four Winds Farm, unveil their dramatic new freestyle to an adoring audience at the California Dreaming Productions Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J/U-25, held March 31-April 2.

Terri Miller photo

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Anticipation was high as a crowd gathered for the CDI Grand Prix Freestyle at California Dreaming Productions Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J/U-25, held March 31-April 2.

All eyes were on U.S. Team veteran Steffen Peters and fan-favorite Rosamunde (Rheinlander mare Rock Forever x First Lady by Fidermark, owned by Four Winds Farm) as they unveiled a new freestyle, and the pair did not disappoint judges or spectators for a winning score of 76.243%. Finishing in second was Kathleen Raine and Breanna (Hanoverian mare Brentano II x World Queen by Weltmeyer, owned by Raine, David Wightman and Jennifer Mason) who earned 72.575% for their popular Michael Jackson-themed performance.

Friday, April 22nd – Ingalls Park
7 pm – Extreme Ranch Rodeo
5:30 pm – Gates Open, Children 3 and under free!
Come out and see all our vendors!

Norco Ranch Outfitters
(951) 735-4130
Norco Ranch Outfitters has been supplying horse and rider for over 30 years. Carrying the top brands of saddles, tack, clothing, boots, helmets; and offering free saddle fitting and a full line of farrier supplies (with the NRO Farrier Club), Norco Ranch has become the one stop shop for your equestrian needs. Recently remodeled and merchandised to help shoppers flow through the store more easily to find what they are looking for, NRO staff is at hand to give you the complete shopping experience. Be sure to save the date for their Annual Parking Lot Tack Swap Meet on Sunday, May 1st. This is the time to clean out the tack room and sell those pieces you just don’t use any longer. Be sure to stop by during Norco Horseweek and say hello. You never know who or what will be in store.

WESTERN WEEK  April 21-24
On Saturday night at 7 p.m., the Night Of the Horse Show is not a competition, but rather a family-oriented evening with amazing equestrian acts. This year, the Del Mar National Horse Show will present Sylvia Zerbini, a ninth-generation performer who has captivated audiences across the globe since the age of five. Her father, a wild animal trainer, and her mother, a famous trapeze artist, allowed Sylvia to ultimately nurture her true passion, working
with her family’s horses. Blessed with a gift for reading horses, Sylvia professionally trained and performed with horses at liberty while still a young teen.

It’s here! Don your breeches and English attire for the Ninth Annual Broken Horn ALL ENGLISH SALE April 23-24. In so doing, you’ll be eligible for hundreds of free hourly prizes during this spectacular weekend.  Everything English will be 10 to 50 percent off (some restriction apply). If you’re in need of Kastel sun shirts, you’ll find select styles on sale for $49.99. All English riding boots are up to 20 percent off, select hunt coats are 20 to 50 percent off,  Ariat denim breeches are on sale, as are half-chaps, EOUS saddle pads, select Ovation helmets — and much more! In need of an English saddle? Check in-store for Broken Horn’s “Gift certificate for sales tax” special for all the details. You won’t want to miss this once-a-year opportunity on everything English at Broken Horn, your equestrian super store. Call 626-337-4266 or visit www.brokenhornsaddlery.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The Spring Series at Blenheim EquiSports concluded four weeks of grand prix events April 16 with the $50,000 Blenheim Spring Classic IV Grand Prix, presented by Davidson Communities.Vani Khosla, who earned her first and grand prix win aboard her Billy Mexico.The class was preceded by several special presentations. The Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, one of the Chip In For Charity recipients, gave an exhibition led by Executive Director Dana Butler-Moburg to demonstrate the equine therapy work the center does to effectively work with a variety of disabilities in children and adults. Also a part of the Chip In For Charity program, Uryadi’s Village, an organization that works to help support orphans in remote areas, had a silent auction and a “Jump for the Village” fundraiser., where participants pledged a fixed amount of money every time a rider in the Grand Prix cleared the Uryadi’s fence on course.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Katie Gardner and Maldini, owned by Starlane Farms, edged Buddy Brown on Finally Ours by a half-point to capture the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on April 15 at the Blenheim Spring Classic IV.

“Maldini was amazing today,” Gardner said of the 2007 Swedish Warmblood. “His main job is the adult hunters with his owner, but we have brought him along from the baby greens to the big derbies. He is so brave and honest. I’m thrilled with the win.”

Each horse that comes to me for training teaches me something. As I approach every new horse, I bring my breadth of experience, but also leave a space open to learn. I am receptive to new ideas without any preconceived judgements as to how I can bring out the best in this horse.
How much pressure can I use until I get the desired response? How much time can I work on one particular exercise before their resistance turns to frustration and they cease to try? Are they fearful, aggressive, disrespectful? Have they been given enough time to learn the exercise?
There is one consistent theme that I have discovered as a common thread with each horse and that is: Take it slow.

The history of America is linked with the history of horse-drawn power, particularly the expansion of road networks from the late 1700s forward. It created a need for business hubs to distribute people, freight, goods and services. Many towns were developed at about eight-mile intervals. Why? That was how far the average horse trotted between rests, feed (refueling) and watering. Everything about the production and consumption of draft animals shaped the material environment. Innovations were constantly in the forefront to help the equine work more efficiently — better roads, harnesses, vehicle design, feed, veterinary care, and shoeing. The driven horse, mule and ox were the “engines” that moved and improved America during the industrial revolution. Energy demands of industrialization increased American’s dependence on horses, mules and oxen. The horse population grew in size but began to change in composition. More and varying sizes, breeds, and strengths of equines were needed. During the 19th century, the approaches taken by horse breeders reshaped horses to fit the needs of society. They transformed the bodies of horses as well as their uses.