DEL MAR — Arabian Horse Association’s Regional Championships are an opportunity to achieve local recognition and qualify for the annual AHA National Championships. Californians have four nearby Regional shows held annually, and the Region One Championship showcased among the state’s best riders and horses.

The 30th annual All-Arabian Region One Championship Horse Show, was held May 27-31 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Show officials and many participants agreed that the competition drew top purebred and half-Arabian horses and their riders from all over the western states to compete for championships in a wide variety of classes.

WOODSIDE — To the cheering of about 500 fans, Beth Temkin of Portola Valley, Calif., rode Jude’s Law to a clear show-jumping round that captured the Horse division of the inaugural $30,000 Preliminary Challenge at the Horse Trials At Woodside. Moments earlier, Lindsay Connors, of El Granada, Calif., had also ridden a clear round on Ballingowan Pizazz to win the Rider division.

BURBANK — Quarter Horses were the stars of the Double Feature series which featured back-to-back weekends of AQHA and NRHA classes at the Showtime Classic from May 28-31 and Lights, Camera, Action show from June 4-7.

The Showtime Classic, sponsored by Southern California Quarter Horse Exhibitors Association, included a Bob’s Custom Saddle awarded to the High-Point Rookie Reiner, along with saddles to the All-Around Novice Youth and Novice Amateur.

BURBANK — The $25,000 Memorial Day Classic Grand Prix proved to be a memorable one for Gaby Salick riding Gredo la Daviere as she won her first Grand Prix at Los Angeles Equestrian Center on May 25, along with making a successful comeback to the show circuit after having a baby four months ago.

“I went as fast as I thought I could,” Salick said of her jump-off ride. “I figured I would finish about third since I went second in the jump-off and there were 12.” What Salick did not bargain for was the win, and she was thrilled. “I’ve never won a Grand Prix at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and there are always the best crowds.” Even more gratifying for Salick was the fact that her parents and her 4-month-old daughter, Eleanor, were in attendance.

DEL MAR — Challenging on multiple levels, the $50,000 Grand Prix of California, presented by Mary’s Tack & Feed, had a solid 45 entrants resulting in a jump-off of just four. Jill Humphrey of Sacramento aboard Kaskaya were the only pair to ride double-clean rounds to win the May 9 Grand Prix. It was the highlight event of Blenheim EquiSports’ Showpark Ranch & Coast Tournament held May 5-10 at Del Mar Horsepark.

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Caracas, Venezuela, left little room for error, keeping riders on their toes from the first turn to the last line. The track was tight and the combinations technical, causing both time faults, rails, refusals and involuntary dismounts for riders.