Last month our general manager, Mimie Nordenstrom, and myself were forced to cover the Equus Destinations Santa Ynez Winery and Farm  Tour – a tough assignment! We were treated to excellent wine and food, and our eyes feasted on beautiful horses from several disciplines. Our first stop was at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, where we were thrilled by a match race between two of their race horses. It was exciting to be right next to the rail and watch those young horses go for it. Next stop, we learned about and had a great opportunity to ride Rancho Chahucha’s Peruvian Paso horses. Their top stallion, RCh Ventarrones, is gorgeous. The Peruvian’s gait was smooth and fun to ride. We had a delicious catered Mexican feast in the owners Larry and Joy Redman’s huge RV barn with more fine wine from the Santa Ynez Valley. Inbetween horse activites we vistied three wineries: Roblar, Kalyra & Rideau. We enjoyed (some might say too much) tasting all the wineries had to offer. Next morning Monty Roberts cooked our eggs for our breakfast burritos on the front lawn of their beautiful home at Flag Is Up Farm. We watched a young horse show off his abilities with training using no violence to become a well trained and confident individual. We toured the house and saw Pat Robert’s beautiful sculptures, and Monty’s antique and award winning saddle-decorated saloon. Monty whistled for his deer and we all watched as a dozen or more does came for their corn with a huge bus and all 40 plus attendees watching in amazement. Everyone then had a photo opp with Monty and his famous Mustang, Shy Boy. The fun went on and on. A historic farm tour, a training session with Sandy Collier Training Stables, dessert and coffee at High Star Farms to watch the beautiful Andalusians and Arabians at the Burkeman Training Center. We then enjoyed dinner and a tour of Alamo Pintado’s Equine Medical Center, followed by the Platinum Performance Festival of Champions with top riders Charlotte Bredahl, Kristin Hardin on Day Dream Arabian’s star horses, Sandy Collier riding a beautiful palomino stallion and Ramon Becerra on his beautiful Andalusian and Lusitano horses. The next morning we had a fun breakfast of mimosas, bakery delights and saw more gorgeous horses at Day Dream Arabians. Evie Tubbs and her crew put on a great tour that we rate two thumbs up. Be sure to check their website, www.destinationequus.com, for upcoming tours; a fun way to enjoy beautiful horses and their wonderful owners. It was a photographer’s dream to get up close and personal with these top horses and riders.