NOTE: In the next few installments of this series, Les Vogt gives you some simple exercises that will improve roll backs, spins and stops.

Using the Exercises for Spins. Lope a circle, again making sure your stirrup passes within that 1 foot distance from the fence. When you feel that your horse is in good form, begin to spiral down to a spin in the middle of the circle. Start to drive with your outside leg when the circle diameter is about 10 feet. Make sure that your horse stays softly collected and start to cluck when you reach this point. You should never drag or pull your horse into a spin, you chase him into a spin.

Sacramento — Benny Guitron, a National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame inductee rode Too Smart For You to win the 2009 Magnificent 7 all-around stock horse competition as part of the 11th annual Western States Horse Expo, with the Magnificent 7 finals held June 13 at Cal Expo.

“This is one of the premier events to win and, fortunately, being one of the founding fathers of the event—I competed in the very first one—it’s pretty special to win it,” said Guitron, of Merced, Calif., who added that the quality of horses and riders who compete each year in the Magnificent 7 is “as good as it gets. To be able to come out on top and be respected by your peers is an honor.”

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Veteran Grand Prix rider Susie Hutchison of Temecula is continuing a win streak on Cantano, with a recent victory at Blenheim EquiSports’ $30,000 Copa de Amistad (Friendship Cup) Grand Prix held June 21 at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park.

Cantano, a 9-year-old bay Holsteiner stallion owned by Jim and Pat Iverson of El Dorado 29, started competing in the Grand Prix level in spring 2008–and amazingly won four out of five Grand Prix events it entered with Hutchison aboard. In 2009, Hutchison and Cantano also won the $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic II Grand Prix on April 5.

WILTON — Fans of cutting were treated to a great show at the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association’s Summer Circuit and NCHA Day Host show held June 5-7 at Echeta Ranch. Show organizers said competitive riders and horses, as well as enthusiastic spectators, all contributed to a successful summer show for PCCHA members.

Among the top rider-horse pairs at the show were the show’s Open Circuit Champion Cookie Banuelos of Las Vegas, Nev., riding Whittle Wed Boon, owned by Katie Gaughan of Las Vegas.

BURBANK — Gold Coast hunter/jumper shows at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, produced by Langer Equestrian Group, have been known as quality shows with an inviting format. Despite its USEF “B” rating, the Gold Coast Series appear more like “A” shows, but with classes for just about every level of horse and rider.

“We go to as many Gold Coast shows as we can,” trainer Devon Gibson said. “There’s something for everyone. We can school on Thursday. They have all the hunters, all the medals. Everybody can get into the rings early in the morning to school.” With close to 400 entries, Gold Coast 3 from May 15-17 continued to attract exhibitors.

WOODSIDE — Consistency proved to be key at the Woodside Spring Classic as several riders demonstrated during the two weeks of USEF “A” rated shows from April 30-May 3 at the Horse Park at Woodside.

Julia Nagler was probably one of the most consistent performers after winning both the USEF Hunt Seat and the USEF Talent Search each of the two weeks. “Julia has been riding with me for the last five years,” said Benson Carroll, who trains the talented junior rider. “She has a great style and she knows her horse really well,” Carroll said of Nagler’s success. “I’ve seen a lot of growth in Julia recently, and I enjoy working with her. She has ice in her veins and keeps her cool and focuses.”