RENO, Nev. — In its final go at the Reno Livestock Events Center, the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Snaffle Bit Futurity played out Sept. 19-Oct. 1, and while tradition was on center stage throughout the event, so was its future.

Top riders and horses in all divisions sparked intense competition that made goosebumps and fed anticipation for next year’s Futurity at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I heard from several people, it’s one of the best finals they’ve ever seen,” said NRCHA 2 Million Dollar Rider and Open finalist Todd Bergen of Eagle Point, Ore. “I think that just shows where this sport is going, how good it’s gotten, how good the horses are, how good the trainers are.”

Aaron Brookshire and his fiancee Allyson Tapie embrace after she accepted his proposal in front of the judge’s stand at the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association Shootout on Oct. 16.

Dave Tapie photo

TEMECULA — It seemed routine to Allyson Tapie, who had just completed her reining and boxing runs Sunday at the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association Shootout in the final go of the day. Then, as she and her Little Yellow Vett started their trot out of the arena, the show manager called her to the judges stand for a bit check.

“I was confused because bit checks are not normally done before you leave the arena,” she said. “But it can be called if the judge sees a need to call one.”

DEL MAR — West Palms Events continues to grow its slate of quality hunter-jumper competitions, and all the while, its Del Mar International continues to improve annually.

This year’s version lasted from Oct. 12-30 at the venerable Del Mar Fairgrounds, host of the 1992 Volvo World Cup. Fittingly, the Del Mar International hosted the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League — one of only seven World Cup™ Qualifiers on the West Coast. Enrique Gonzalez and Chacna won the event.

There were many other significant events during the Del Mar International, including the GGT Grand Prix Series Final, presented by California Horsetrader and Horsetrader.com, the USHJA National Hunter Derby, Onondarka Medal Finals, and the PCHA/Equine Insurance Jumper Championship.

Peter Lutz will try to take Robin de Ponthual to a repeat victory at the Las Vegas National.

Amy McCool photo

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — In addition to a number of well-known riders, an amazing lineup of four-legged celebrities will also be making their way to the South Point Equestrian Arena for The Las Vegas National CSI4*-W in Nov. 15-20.

Robin de Ponthual once again will be partnered with Peter Lutz to try for two Las Vegas wins in a row; Capital Colnardo will be competing with recent double-Longines FEI World Cup Jumping class winner Audrey Coulter; The Dude and his bodacious riding partner, Will Simpson, are coming to play; and Lordan will gallop around the course with Nayel Nassar, just to mention four of many.

Robin de Ponthual
McLain Ward’s storied Castle Hill Farm and Peter Lutz’s home barn in North Salem, N.Y. are only a few farms apart. The two riders, former teen-age riding buddies, are good friends and often work together, with Ward welcoming Lutz’s overflow horses to his barn, and Lutz frequently helping Ward with riding.

In 2014, Ward brought home a Selle Français gelding that had caught his eye, and the minute Lutz climbed aboard, there was an instant synergy. Robin de Ponthual had found his rider, and Katherine Gallagher and Michael Mellor purchased him for Lutz the same year.

The partnership came together in 2015 with a win in last years’ $100,000 Longines World Cup Qualifier at the Las Vegas National, followed by a top 20 finish at the World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Lutz, who has trained a number of top horses and riders over the years, is deserving of this time in the limelight. For the first time in his career, he has an international-level horse that he can hold onto.

The Guitron family has a long tradition of braiding quality rawhide and leather tack in the spirit of the vaqueros for nearly 50 Years. Through this time, their selection of products has grown to include a full array of meticulously handcrafted tack, such as romal reins, bosals, headstalls and cavesons. Steve Guitron continues the family tradition. Made from only the finest leather and rawhide, you can be assured of the superior craftsmanship that is evident in his vast product line.

Do you feel like you’re off to the races every time you ask for a lope? While many horses will stay relaxed right from the start, some, especially those who are a litt le scared, or horses that have been held back all their lives, will want to take off like bullets! A horse like this is no fun to ride and can become dangerous if he’s not controlled. Here are some tips and exercises to try if you want to rate your horse back a litt le at the lope. By “rating” we mean being able to control the speed.

HEY RAY! How do I approach my mare, Koda, and train her not to bite or kick the heck out of our other horse, Eddie, while eating? –Ryla Haday, Sonora

HEY RYLA: I understand that not taken care of, this problem can result in one or both horses getting hurt—as well as yourself. First, please understand that what Koda and Eddie are going through is absolutely normal and natural. This kind of thing happens with horses all the time.