MARCH 2010
State Park Advocacy
Mon., March 8 in Sacramento
Help make a difference for our state parks by coming out for the 8th annual State Park Advocacy Day. Over the last seven years, this event has helped to heighten awareness of the need for state park protection and share with policymakers the importance of state parks to all Californians. The powerful showing of support made by Park Advocacy Day participants last year helped stop the Governor’s fiscal year 09-10 budget proposal to eliminate general funding for California’s state park system, which would have resulted in the closure of up to 220 state parks.
This year the California State Parks Foundation is calling on park advocates to once again meet with policymakers in Sacramento to discuss the challenges facing state parks and the need for their action. Participating in Park Advocacy Day is meaningful, fun and easy. Park Advocacy Day participants will be assigned to a team with fellow state parks supporters who will join in meetings with policymakers throughout the day.
To find out more and/or register, visit
www.calparks.org or call 916-442-2119.
The Dressage Affaire
Fri.-Sun., March 12-14 in Del Mar
Kim Keenan Stordhal’s dressage shows have earned a terrific reputation as first-class events for competitors and fans alike. This year’s competition, held at the Del Mar Horsepark in San Diego, features qualifying classes for every major dressage event and lots of fun for exhibitors
and fans.
Social activities start Thursday night with an exhibitors’ welcome party hosted by Mushroom Matrix. The “E ticket” attraction, besides the competition, of course, is Saturday night’s dancing and live auction party, hosted by Mushroom Matrix and Footings Unlimited. Admission is free for exhibitors and sponsors’ guests and available also through a $50 donation to Keenan Productions, which helps defray the considerable costs of staging such a show.
The Dressage Affaire includes qualifying classes for the following major events: the World Equestrian Games for dressage and Para Equestrian; the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediaire Championships; the FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships; the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Junior, Young Rider & Brentina Cup Championships; the 2010 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by the Dutta Corp & PSI).
For more information on attending the Dressage Affaire, visit www.dressageevents.com or call 866-933-SHOW.
Whole Horse Wellness Clinic & Extravaganza
Sat.-Sun., March 20-21 in Sacramento
Build your horsemanship knowledge and contribute to a great cause at the same time by attending this festival of equestrian expertise, a fundraiser to help send the California Cowgirls drill team to entertain at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky this fall. On the docket are veterinarians and equine experts speaking on emergency care, lameness, shoeing issues, dentistry, herbal remedies and much more. On Saturday night, brains take a break and get to enjoy a team sorting exhibition, along with the chance to meet Hall of Fame trainers Bobby Ingersoll and Benny Guitron. The venue is the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta and the sponsor is the West Coast Equine Foundation.
For tickets and more information, visit
www.horsewellnessclinic.org or call 916-972-0898.
Benefit Art Show
Sun., March 21; location TBD
Children are encouraged to submit artwork for a fundraiser to benefit the Save The Animals Today campaign. Founded in 2008 and based at the Dudette Ranch in Riverside County’s Murrieta, Save The Animals Today focuses on rescuing horses and providing a respectable end-of-life experience for elderly or injured horses and other animals.
The fundraiser’s goal is 200 pieces of artwork. A unique bake sale featuring standard human goodies, plus horse and dog treats, will run concurrently to raise more money for the horses. The location for this event has yet to be determined, but will likely be in the Murrieta area.
For more information, visit
www.dudetteranch.com.
Signature Sport Horse Viewing & Sale
Sun., March 21 in Scottsdale, AZ
Now in its fourth year, this event is “committed to constantly widening the accessibility of top sport horses in various disciplines,” says organizer Maggie Lang. “We present horse lovers with an exceptional selection of hunter, jumper, equitation and amateur horses and ponies.”
The sale/viewing will be held at Janet Hischer’s Twisted Tree Farm in Scottsdale. Sellers must have their horse at the venue by March 19 and buyers can count on x-rays on all horses, plus action shots of each prospect in the catalog. Six-year-old, 16.3 hh Hanoverian gelding Waton is one of many nice horses available for purchase at the event. Another hot prospect is Vivaldi, a 16.1 Dutch/Irish gelding by Wolfgang. He’s done well in the 1.3M jumping division and is billed as a hunter and equitation mount as well.
For more information on the Signature Sport Horse Viewing & Sale, contact Maggie Lang at 505-980-2702 or visit www.signaturehorsesales.com.
USHJA Emerging Athletes
Mon., March 22 deadline for May session
March 22 is the deadline for applying to this year’s Emerging Athletes program from the United States Hunter Jumper Assn. Our Zone’s (10) Level 1 training session will be held May 22-23 at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in the Los Angeles Area’s Lake View Terrace. Melanie Smith Taylor, one of the program’s key leaders, will be the session’s instructor.
Now marking its second year, the EA program seeks to develop complete horsemen by implementing a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders and providing them with the support and assistance necessary to reach their full potential. This program will facilitate opportunities for these young riders to become industry leaders, as well as serving as a pipeline to international show jumping competitions.
This year, the program is open to riders aged 16-21 who are competent at either 3’6” or 4’ courses. Selection for the Level 1 training session is based on riding skills and an assessment of potential drawn from their application. Eight riders per fence height will be selected, and there is a $50 application fee and a $250 participation fee.
For more information on the Emerging Athletes program and to apply, visit www.ushja.org or call Melanie Fransen at 859-225-6717.
Galway Downs International Horse Trials
Fri.-Sun., March 26-28 in Temecula
At least half a dozen U.S. riders aiming to represent the United States at the World Equestrian Games will launch their selection bids at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials on March 26-28. The CIC3* at Galway Downs will be a vitally important preparation event for these riders as they head for the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in late April, the primary U.S. selection trial for the World Equestrian Games. Several Canadian World Championship candidates are also expected to compete, along with riders representing Mexico, Ecuador and South Africa.
The venue is the Southern California Equestrian Center, formerly known as Galway Downs.
Gina Miles and McKinlaigh, of Atascadero, winners of the 2008 Galway Downs CIC3* prior to winning the Olympic individual silver medal, will be among the favorites at Galway Downs, and they’re one of the leading contenders for a WEG berth. Kristi Nunnink, of Auburn, and Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe, of Ramona, are other top USEF long-listed riders hoping their performances at Galway Downs and Rolex Kentucky will qualify them for World Championship selection, along with Kelly Prather of Bodega and Jolie Sexson of Martinez.
Heading the Canadian contenders at Galway Downs will be Olympians Hawley Bennett and Sandra Donnelly, along with veteran international campaigner Chelan Kozak.
The Galway Downs CIC3* is a member event of the Adequan/U.S. Eventing Association Gold Cup Series, in which the national winner is the horse-rider combination that earns the most points during. Galway Downs will also once again offer West Coast riders a CIC2* and a CIC1*, both of which are important qualifying events for other international competitions. National competition from the Advanced to the Novice level will also attract more than 200 horses.
Also returning is the second annual Elite Event Horse Auction, presented by Focus on Sporthorses. All nominated horses will be presented late Thursday afternoon in the main arena. They can be tried Friday and Saturday, and the auction will be held on Saturday afternoon, after competition day has ended. All horses presented for sale must be 12 years old or younger, with a full set of
leg X-rays, and veterinarians will be on hand for further evaluation.
For more information on the Galway
Downs International Three-Day Event, visit
www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405.
Festival Of The Horse
Wed.-Sat., March 31-April 3 in Burbank
Cornerstone Events’ Festival Of The Horse dressage competition is always a sure fire hit with competitors and hard core dressage fans. This year’s staging adds another layer with fun stuff geared toward snaring the general horse enthusiast to come see the sport’s best and enjoy many horse-related activities. Cornerstone’s Glenda McElroy has recruited the help of Los Angeles Equestrian Center neighbor, the Traditional Equitation School, to provide interactive opportunities for newbies and beginners, while the exhibition area throughout the show will entice all, especially kids, to jump into the horse world. A mechanical horse and lots of wonderful equestrian art are just a few of the planned attractions.
For competitors, the Festival offers qualifying classes for myriad championships, including the World Equestrian Games Selection Trials, the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediaire Championships, the FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships, the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Junior, Young Rider & Brentina Cup Championships, the 2010 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by the Dutta Corp &
PSI). Phew…!
A delicious brunch awaits VIP fans during the big Freestyle class and the ever-popular “Dressage With the Experts” commentary enables everybody to understand and enjoy the action to the fullest.
In addition, trainers can earn points toward
a Hawaiian vacation in Cornerstone’s
incentive program.
For more information on the Festival of the Horse, visit www.cornerstonedressage.com or call 818-841-3554.
Calaveras Saddle Club Open Show
Sat., April 3 in Calaveras County
The Calaveras Saddle Club’s Second Annual Open Horse Show will offer a variety of english, western and gymkhana classes. It will be held at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds, in the heart of our state’s Gold Country. The action starts with english and western classes at 9 a.m. and the gymkhana portion of the show begins at 1 p.m. This show is open to all ages and the divisions are divided by walk-jog, 17 & under and 18 & over. A 4-H Showmanship division has been added this year to embrace that contingent of the horse world and give 4-H members the ability to receive 4-H credit.
For participation and sponsorship information visit www.cschorseshow.com or e-mail Krista Smith at kristasmith91@gmail.com or call her at 209-728-4535.
The Autry Ride
Sat., April 10 in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park
The Autry National Center’s first Autry Trail Ride will take place on Sat., April 10 in Griffith Park. The trail ride is a combined effort of the Autry and the American Competitive Trail Horse Association. Proceeds from the event will benefit both the Autry National Center and horse rescue.
As a new member of The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA), the Autry is taking the lead in promoting good horsemanship by hosting a casual Competitive Trail Challenge in a seven-mile trail ride with six judged obstacles. The Autry Ride, which will begin with a breakfast on the plaza in front of the Museum of the American West, will take the Skyline loop through Griffith Park circling the Los Angeles Zoo with spectacular views of the San Fernando Valley and San Bernardino Mountains, plus the condor cages of the zoo. The judged two-hour trail ride will be followed with lunch and an awards ceremony for the winning riders.
To participate in The Autry Ride, membership in ACTHA is required. Fifty percent of proceeds go to equine charities, and ride scores become part of ACTHA’s national database. “Not Just a Trail Horse Any More!” is the creed of ACTHA, and participation in an ACTHA ride results in giving provenance to the trail horse through the registry. Trail ride participants will receive prizes provided by numerous generous sponsors and awards provided by ACTHA.
To participate in the Autry Trail Ride go to www.actha.us, become a member, and then join the ride. For more information on the Autry National Center visit www.autrynationalcenter.org.
Does your special event deserve special coverage in California Riding Magazine’s What’s Happening Event Calendar? If so, let us know and don’t forget a photo. Send it all to kimfmiller1@mac.com, or call her at 949-644-2165.
Our deadline is the first of the month for the following month’s issue. Please submit your events by April 1st for the May issue. It’s the place to be and it’s free!
|
