The Los Angeles Equestrian Center was a bustling place from April 24-27 as the Wells Fargo Hollywood Charity Horse Show opened its 18th season. Hosted and spearheaded again by William Shatner, the charity event takes place each year amidst a multi-arena Quarter Horse show for all ages. A wide variety of AQHA and PCHA classes were offered, including Western Pleasure Riding, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, English Hunt Seat Equitation and many more.
The fundraising part of the horse show began on Saturday afternoon with a silent auction of Hollywood memorabilia and other celebrity items. At 5:30 p.m. Shatner rode into the Equidome to host the evening’s arena show. This year’s performance featured the horsemanship and roustabout comedy of Anthony De Longis and his Rancho Indalo Riders (Mary Delongis, Jack Dagger, Tonya Kay, Jason Heck, and Dave L. Baker). They entertained the audience with horseback sword fighting, whip cracking, knife throwing, and other Wild West action.
The Hollywood Charity Horse Show has supported several charities since Shatner began the fundraiser in 1990. The two most prominent are Ahead With Horses (a therapeutic riding group for seriously handicapped children) and the Camp Max Straus Foundation (offering memorable camping experiences for underprivileged kids). Both groups made a brief appearance during the arena show.
The highlight of the evening, however, began around 7 p.m. with a Western-style dinner and an exciting concert by Grammy-award-winning country-music star Randy Travis. The concert continued into the night, and on Sunday morning, horses and riders returned to the arenas for the final day of competition.

1: William Shatner warms up on Date with a Playboy.
2: Elizabeth Shatner competes on Doctor Cassie.
3: Hunt Seat Equitation riders await their turn to compete.
4: Piper Nelson demonstrates the benefits of horse-based therapy with the staff from Ahead With Horses.
5: Country music star Randy Travis chats with reporters before his performance.
6: Sandra Bentien’s horse Make It With A Twist slides to a stop.
7: Anthony De Longis shows his cavalry sword technique.
8: The kids and counselors from Camp Max Straus sing a song.