California Riding Magazine • February, 2009

Willowbrook Equestrian Center
Desert Hot Springs facility rings in the New Year with a new covered ring and a busy calendar.

“It’s a green oasis in the desert!” said hunter judge Joe Lombardo when he arrived at Willowbrook to judge the first Saddle Series hunter show this season. And, we have a new covered arena out here in Desert Hot Springs.

Willowbrook is a great place to board and ride, and boarders don’t have to trailer to get to great horse shows. Twelve competitions per year are held in the 200’ x 300’ foot arena, the footing is always great, and there are trees and grass everywhere, even for parking. The five arenas enable cross-rails and walk-trot division classes to be held separately, and there is a dedicated arena for Don Lehman’s wonderful, intricate trail courses.

There are more days of sunshine here than virtually anyplace else in the world. It never snows, and the average rainfall is about six inches per year. Situated on 40 acres, the facility currently has room for about 50 horses in a variety of corrals, pastures and a barn, and there’s a new 200 foot, fully-covered corral complex on the way.

Saddle Series Horse Shows have run for the past 15 years and have seen many hundreds of competitors go from beginner to advanced in hunter, jumper, western, english and halter competition. This season’s Saddle Series shows will conclude this month, followed by an awards banquet where winners will receive western and english saddles, scooters, jackets, coolers, blankets, bridles and buckles. A Spring Show series commences in March and runs monthly until June. These are great hunter/jumper shows where beginners and advanced riders prepare their horses and hone their skills.

Students love the informal atmosphere and instructors who factor in lots of fun as riders of all ages go through their paces in show preparation or simply recreational riding. Students do not have to own their horses to train or compete in the shows or ride on the surrounding trails. Willowbrook has about 30 lesson horses and ponies, and there is one to suit virtually every skill and age level.
There’s always something going on at Willowbrook: riding clinics by top professionals, day camps for kids and beginner riders, Halloween and Christmas holiday pageants, and special group and individual lessons.

Article provided by Willowbrook Equestrian Center. For more information, please visit www.willowbrookridingclub.com or call 760-329-7676.