This issue marks three decades of California Horsetrader in the hands and hearts of thousands of equestrians. After 720 issues, more than 100,000 pages and a million ads, success is best measured not by numbers, but by the role our publication has played–and still plays–in the wonderful world of horses. We received scores of “Horsetrader memories,” and here are some of our favorites.

If you have a story, please send it to us! We will be sharing them throughout our 30th Anniversary Year. E-mail: memories@horsetrader.com

BURBANK — The successful year for Ashlee Bond and her Cadett 7, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Little Valley Farms of Calabasas, Calif., continued when she won the $50,000 Los Angeles International Grand Prix Sept. 20 at Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

The L.A. International win—a World Cup Qualifier as well—followed up Bond and Cadett 7 taking consecutive victories at the $40,000 Summer Classic Grand Prix on Aug. 22 and $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark on Aug. 29.

RENO, Nev. — In true reined cow horse fashion, the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s 2009 Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship came down to the cow work. As a matter of fact, it came down to the very last run in the cow work. The in-arena action at the Reno Livestock Events Center brought the crowd to the edge of its seat Oct. 4, as they saw Zane Davis of Whitehall, Mont., and Reymanator (Dual Rey x Savannah Hickory) take the Open Champions title.

Draw 25–Davis aboard Reymanator, owned by John Semanick of Jacksonville, Fla.–had topped the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity preliminaries. The two had marked the high herd work score with a 218.5, but 214 in the rein work meant that he was second going into the cow work.

Outside of the competition at the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s 2009 Snaffle Bit Futurity, NRCHA recognized the best of the reined cow horse industry during various events Sept. 20-Oct. 4. Among the honorees were Californians John Ward of Kingsburg, and Jimmy Flores, Sr. of Perris.

NRCHA honored its newest Million Dollar Rider, John Ward, during the Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finals opening ceremonies on Oct. 4. The name “Ward” is almost synonymous with the reined cow horse, bringing to mind a long family history of great wins and top-notch cow horses. Ward won his second NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity title in 2008, on the home-bred Black Pearl. Ten years earlier, he won the championship on Masteroani.

PASO ROBLES — Lady Calido’s first time was a charm as she and rider Robyn Fisher took home the big win in the mare’s inaugural CIC3* level competition at the Twin Rivers Fall International Horse Trials held Sept. 25-27 at Twin Rivers Ranch. The CIC3* also served as the final event in the 2009 $10,000 U.S. Eventing Association Gold Cup Series, in which top eventing horses and riders across the country competed for cash, prizes, and leaderboard points.

Fisher, 29, of Topanga, Calif., was thrilled with the three-day performance of Lady Calido, also known as Callie. “She was phenomenal.” Fisher said. “I’m just relieved the weekend is over and I can just enjoy it and take care of her now.”

GRASS VALLEY — The 23rd annual Draft Horse Classic attracted about 20,000 Draft Horse fans to the Nevada County Fairgrounds for competitions during six performances from Sept. 24-27.

Draft horse exhibitors from California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho competed for more than $35,000 in premium awards. Sharon Priebe of Grayling, Mich., judged the draft horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert of Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Mark Mistler of Purcell, Okla., was the horseshoe judge.

Continuing in a Series
This time, we introduce Exercise No. 3: Moving the Ribcage. In the next few installments, Les Vogt takes you through exercises of his Five Easy Pieces. When you’ve mastered them, you should be able to put any part of your horse’s body where you want it, without resistance.

BURBANK — The Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association held two of its five medal finals at the annual Gold Coast 6 show: the LAHJA Horsemanship Finals, won by Henley Atkins; and the Rosewood Medal Finals, won by Olivia Esse.

LAHJA has a comprehensive set of medal classes, with the LAHJA Horsemanship serving as an entry-level final for both amateur and junior riders with fences set at 2’9” to 3’0”.

The Gold Coast 6 hunter/jumper horse show was managed by Langer Equestrian Group from Aug. 27-30 at Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Riders and show organizers said course designer Stephen DeFisher did a masterful job by offering challenging options for the more advanced riders and allowing the less experienced riders to take a slightly easier track.

HARRISBURG, Penn. — Many riders in the North American League say having the opportunity to compete in its year-end finals rewards a season of hard work and dedication. Riders from all over the country, from California to Connecticut, converge to Harrisburg for the finals, held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show from Oct. 8-17, with the hopes of becoming the next NAL Champion.

The NAL runs season-long series in seven hunter/jumper divisions: Adult Hunter, presented by Cavalor; Children’s Hunter, Open Jumper Speed, Adult Jumper, Children’s Jumper, Pony Jumper and the new Low Junior/Amateur-Owner jumper.