We are thrilled to kick off the New Year with this 100-page issue packed with educational, inspirational and newsworthy content. Thanks to all the individuals who lent their time as article sources and contributed thoughtful pieces.

For the fifth consecutive year, we are honored to produce personal tributes to the recipients of the California Professional Horsemen’s Association’s Special Awards. Each of their stories reflect the very best of the West Coast equestrian world that California Riding Magazine has been reporting on for 33 years.

That feature’s recurring theme of horsemanship priorities and helpfulness is echoed in our cover story on Kelly Van Vleck’s Van Vleck Sporthorses. This Sacramento-area hunter/jumper program produces many ribbon winners, but more importantly, a steady stream of riders whose daily priorities revolve around love for and good care of the horse.

New contributors Alice Chan, Amelia Enzminger and Darby Bonomi, PhD offer bright perspectives on making the most of every minute we spend in the horse world. The positive influence horses have on teens and learning in and out of the saddle are their topics of choice.

A busy January begins 2019. Get all the details here on the California Dressage Society’s Annual Meeting & Horse Health Fair; the USHJA Emerging Jumper Athlete Gold Star Clinic with Katie Prudent ; neat fundraising clinics at Fresno County Horse Park and Galway Downs and much more.

Happy riding and reading. And, Happy New Year!

Kim F Miller, Editor, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 949-644-2165

ADOPT ME!

Snowflake is an approximately 3 yr old appaloosa/quarter horse cross pony up for adoption at FalconRidge Equine Rescue in Valley Center, CA. Snowflake is a gorgeous grey with roaning. She will be small at 12 hands and most likely not grow much bigger. She is halterbroke only and looking for a loving home who will continue her training and handling. Kind and willing, just not exposed to much of the world. Looking for a loving home to continue her learning and future training under saddle. Very sweet and pretty girl. Adoption fee is $400. See Snowflake on our adoption page at www.falconridgerescue.org.