Cool awards and friendly competition — plus terrific weather — made for a nice three-day reining event by the California Reining Horse Association Aug. 5-7 at Galway Downs in Temecula. Circuit champions went home with a new bicycle, and reserve circuit champs received super sharp knives.

Although it was not an NRHA Affiliate event, the two-slate show featured CRHA and National Reining Horse Association classes, as well as PCHA, AQHA and APHA classes. Dave Belson and Linde Von Koding were judges.

The next CRHA event will be the association’s big year-end Challenge Show, scheduled Oct. 26-30 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

More online: Http://bit.ly/608B_CRHA

Sgt. Reckless, on duty in Korea.

Courtesy photo

LONDON — Sgt. Reckless, the mare whose service aided U.S. Marines to victory in battles of the Korean War, recently received more posthumous military honors — this time, across the pond in London, England.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a British animal charity, awarded Reckless the Dickin Medal — the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the highest British military decoration for valor — for her service in 1952 and 1953 during the Korean War.

U.S. Embassy attaché Lieut. Col. Michael Skaggs accepted the award on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, since Reckless passed away in 1968 in Camp Pendleton, where a permanent monument will be dedicated later this year.

Stefanie Putnam and Bethesda After Dark

Marie de Ronde-Oudemans photo

BEESD, Netherlands — California driving competitor Stefanie Putnam, the only U.S. representative in the 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships, used a strong showing in the cone phase to finish fifth overall in the Aug. 3-6 competition.

Putnam, from Layfeyette. took fifth in dressage, eighth in the marathon, and third in cones, driving her Morgan gelding, Bethesda After Dark.
It was her European debut at the Championships, and she impressed with her stellar performance. As the sole U.S. representative, Putnam looked right at home competing against a strong international field in the Grade I division.

She executed a solid test with Bethesda After Dark on the first day in front of the Ground Jury of Andrew Counsil (GBR), Gun Hagring (SWE), Danuta Nowicka (POL), Henk van Amerongon (NED), and Reiner Wannenwetsch (GER).

She and the 1993 Morgan gelding scored of 53.58 in dressage, then the pair attacked the Barry Hunter (GBR)-designed marathon course on Friday, having great times in obstacles two and three. They finished the marathon phase in eighth place, adding 100.92 penalties to their overall score to remain in fifth place.

Banning Stagecoach Days and PRCA Rodeo is coming to Dysart Park on Sept. 9-11, and the Stagecoach Days Association is bringing back Honeycutt Rodeo and Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association on Friday and Saturday. Be sure to bring your appetite, as food and beverages will be plentiful. Live entertainment on Friday and Saturday night will be provided by Country Nation — to help you with your boot scoot boogie. Also, six-time PRCA comedy act of the year, Troy Lerwill (“The Wild Child”) will be performing Friday and Saturday evenings as well.

Here is a bullet-list of what we’ve covered in the last several issues with Les.

Exercise #3
The third zone is the ribs or midsection
• Keep your horse straight or with a slight curve towards the direction of his intended movement
• Keep your outside arm straight out at a 45° angle
• Make sure your inside leg is off the horse
• Use your outside leg in the center of the horse’s ribs until he responds; if you don’t get a response to steady pressure, try bumping

Can you ride the buck out of a horse?

Often, I have clients who say, “my horse is bucking,” or “Sheryl, he is ready for his first ride, but I can’t get hurt — so I brought him to you.” I understand that getting hurt is not on anyone’s agenda, and to ensure your safety, be realistic with your abilities. When you feel you have brought your colt or horse as far as your knowledge has allowed, then by all means enlist the help of a professional trainer.

Here are some answers to common questions in driving:

How do I choose a horse for driving?
The breed of the horse isn’t important, nor is the size important, other than finding the perfect horse for the job intended.  My first requirement is the horse shouldn’t go into full training until it’s mature enough mentally and physically to do so. Personally, I usually like to start a horse at age 3 or older.  Next, I look for a good mind and calm attitude.  I want a willing and obedient equine, who will take to training.  It should be sound with fair conformation.  Older, well trained saddle horses, often take to driving training quite well.