Spooner wins, Robinson retires at Del Mar
"I feel graced to have been part of his career and life," says his rider after a record 40 grandprix victories
DEL MAR — Richard Spooner of Agua Dulce, Calif., has already achieved show jumping success as only the second U.S. rider to win 100-plus Grand Prix events. But winning the $100,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar has eluded him for years, until the 2009 Del Mar National Horse Show, in which he finally won the May 2 highlight event of the show’s Hunter/Jumper Week from April 30-May 3 at Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Doug Williamson, Smart Miss Merada
take NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open
'Comeback trail' is proving a good ride after win in Paso Robles

An inspiring Doug Williamson and Smart Miss Merada win NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open.
PASO ROBLES — Doug Williamson defines perseverance. After fighting his way back from a setback with cancer, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame inductee won his second NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship in 2002.
Then, after experiencing a grisly fall just seven months ago during the 2008 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity cow work, he has once again come back to win — this time taking the 2009 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open Championship on Smart Miss Merada.
Reiners unite for Bill and Kelli Norwood family
Infant daughter tackles her health challenges with help from friends
TEMECULA – It’s been said that in times of crisis, you find out who your friends are. For the Bill and Kelli Norwood family of Temecula, California, NRHA members from around the world have been the friends that the Norwood’s can count on.
On April 5, the Norwoods noticed that their five-week-old daughter, Ella, seemed uncomfortable. She was vomiting and had diarrhea, which they thought might be symptoms of the flu. When they took her to the doctor, however, he found a mass in her abdomen and immediately sent Ella to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
Come with us to the 2009 Horse Expo!
June 4th issue of California Horsetrader will be front-and-center
The Western States Horse Expo…the “Gold Standard of Equine Expositions”… returns to Cal Expo June 12-14, and the California Horsetrader will be there as Publishers of the Official Expo Program. Our June 4 issue will be there, too, and it’s a great chance to reach a strong, diverse horse market that picks up each and every copy that we bring. Whether you advertise in our display ads, our classifieds, or our Fototraders, your message will be picked up and read! Deadline is May 22, so be sure to give us a call at (760) 546-1184, or email ads@horsetrader.com and be sure you mention you want to be in the Expo Issue June 4!