New and familiar faces both shine at popular SCRCHA competition

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association’s most popular show of the year, the Jimmy Flores Sr. Memorial, took to the arena at Green Acres Ranch May 14-16.

In Spectacular competition, Judge Bill Enk saw a large, talented field. Finishing both first and third place in the Open was Bob Grant, who rode Nic It Smartly to the Open Bridle Championship with a 149.5 and was third with a 146.5 on Caymus Pepto. Both horses are owned by Cynthia Baker. Taking reserve in the Open Bridle Spectacular was Charles Stevens on his Smartest Hotshot with a 147.

From Horsetrader sales staff

A recently released book written by Jennifer Forsberg Meyer, the longtime award-winning Publisher of California Horse Review magazine, is being well-received by the animal-loving community — and for good reason. In Friends With Four Legs, the native Californian and lifelong animal lover brings to life moments with her animals that touch, teach and — above all — entertain readers. Her chapters with horses are especially easy to relate to, the familiar details written in a clean, conversational style. Here’s an excerpt from a chapter entitled, “Sure-footed Saviors”:

When we unloaded our horses at the trailhead that lovely summer morning, everything was just as I had envisioned it. Green meadows rolled out in every direction, with towering cottonwood trees and broad dirt paths. Only, as I soon discovered, this was just the staging area. Our real journey —- the part for which T-shirts (“I Survived A Ray Fine Trail Ride”) actually exist — was a series of high-mountain switchbacks.

These cut into the steep sides of the volcanic rock that leads up to the 9,000-foot-elevation lake, and they are heart-stopping. They reminded me of the walls of the Grand Canyon. They also made me wish I and my novice-level-equestrian husband were riding sure-footed mules. Yes, our geldings were good guys, but still…mules stick like glue.

See the author’s ad on page 13 for info on ordering the book on Amazon.com. If you would like to read more excerpts, you can get a free sneak peek of three chapters on horsetrader.com with this link: http://bit.ly/friendswithfourlegs

Variety of action blooms in the High Desert

From Horsetrader staff reports

PALMDALE — The High Desert Horse Show Association show season continued in May with another popular one-day open show that once again had something for just about anybody. English classes especially picked up.

“We were excited to see additional English riders participating this show,” said Evon Kurtz, HiDHA President. “We saw very young to seasoned riders in the English arena and proud parents on the sidelines cheering them on.”

By Sheryl Lynde | Horsetrader columnist

I learn from each horse and I learn from each rider. I think we have a tendency to do too much, or micromanage. Understanding why we do what we do helps us to change and let go of unwanted behaviors. Understanding why horses do what they do helps us to better understand and differentiate between a symptom and the cause.

Using force or being overly critical creates resistance in any relationship.