Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope this doesn’t jinx anything, but last year this time the whole state was reeling from devastating wildfires that many are nowhere near recovered from. So, in preparing for Thanksgiving’s reminder about daily things to be grateful for, that probably tops my list. Here’s hoping it stays that way and that we can all continue with horse-centric disaster preparedness practices even when the skies are free of smoke and in the absence of new stories that remind us how important that is.

by Joell Dunlap - all rights reserved by the author 2018

Wisteria

Halfway to the parking lot, Jude Keenan’s current girlfriend Julie Ullswater drove in. With the top down in the Pasadena spring air and loud pop tunes blaring from her BMW, Julie waved her shiny bleached tresses and called out;

“You aren’t leaving are you?”

“Well, I was.”

Have a photo of a fun adventure with your horse, pony, riding club or horsey friends? We want it for our Out & About page. Please send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with caption info and photo credit if needed.

Watching the FEI World Equestrian Games on FEI-TV, from the safety and comfort of typically lovely Southern California September weather, it’s been a big reminder how lucky we are to be equestrian enthusiasts in California.

A story of women riding for their lives. Installment #3

by Joell Dunlap - all rights reserved by the author 2018

Invictus

The last horse to train was the mighty Invictus. Ann and Enrique liked to wait until later in the morning when there were less horses on the track. The colt’s nasty habit of attacking other horses on the way to exercise was legendary by this time.

His massive body and brittle hooves don’t thrive on the hard new synthetic surface of the main race course. He preferred to gallop on the dirt of the training oval located on the interior of the main track. Enrique would bring him out of the stall equipped with blinkers and a chain over his nose. He’d give her a quick leg up while the red colt was walking. She’d land softly on his back and quietly take the reins, careful not to pick them up with much authority as the colt’s job for now, would be to focus on the man leading him.

Stanley Webb

Farmer, rancher and longtime owner of Webb Ranch in Portola Valley, Stanley Webb passed away in early September at the age of 98. Webb Ranch has been family-owned since 1922 and is home to a riding school, boarding and equestrian events, the Stanford polo team and an animal-based therapy program.

Our annual September issue focus on “education” winds up being a broad topic. This year, we’ve covered everything from a recent dressage clinic with George Williams and an upcoming session with Elke Potucek-Puscha to an update on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s ongoing expansion of its equestrian center and the remarkable growth of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association competition in the West.

A story of women riding for their lives.

by Joell Dunlap - all rights reserved by the author 2018

Chapter 4 - Cocky Gallop Boy

By the time the track opened, the barns were abuzz with activity.  Hot walkers in hooded sweatshirts shuffled quietly as their charges danced at the end of a leather and brass ribbon. The sounds of aluminum clad hooves prancing around the soft dirt mingled with the ringing of brass chains as the hot walkers expertly contained the exuberance of half a ton of sinew and muscle. Buckets of hot water steamed as grooms prepared baths for sweaty racehorses. Scents of liniment, cooking oats, medicated shampoos, sweet straw and the acidic tang of warm racehorse manure wafted through cool morning air.

California Riding Magazine Event Calendar

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 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 November 1st for the December issue. It’s the place to be and it’s free!

UC Davis NCEA Equestrian Names Coach

Jessie Weisinger, an alumna of and most recently the assistant coach at Texas A&M, joins the UC Davis staff as the university’s first head women’s equestrian coach, announced athletics director Kevin Blue. “I am extremely grateful to UC Davis, Kevin Blue and [associate A.D.] Anissa Nachman for allowing me this opportunity,” said Weisinger. “I have been fortunate to be at a great university these past four years, but am looking forward to building this new program and being a part of the vision and excitement Kevin has brought to the UC Davis athletic department.”

A story of women riding for their lives.

by Joell Dunlap - all rights reserved by the author 2018

Chapter 1 - Our Lady of Victory

Rains in central California’s Sacramento Valley conquer winter’s oppressive tulle fog. The rains also dampen the hot summer’s bluish smog. They give license to the brilliant pink and white camellia blooms and give residents a view of the stunning Sierra Mountains for all who would look east.

California Riding Magazine Event Calendar

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 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 November 1st for the December issue. It’s the place to be and it’s free!

Nina Vogel Tops Innovative Challenge

Over 60 junior and amateur riders took to The Oaks International Grand Prix Field for the second annual American Tradition of Excellence Equitation Challenge, presented by Whitethorne and held June 19-20. Home after her freshman year in college, 21 year old Nina Vogel aboard Pam Stewart’s Durango rode beautifully both days to earn a big win.

Have a photo of a fun adventure with your horse, pony, riding club or horsey friends? We want it for our Out & About page. Please send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with caption info and photo credit if needed.

“Talk Derby To Me”
Written by Nicole Bhathal • Photography by Kelsey

Albright Photography

On Saturday May 5, Giracci Vineyards and Farms in Orange County’s Silverado hosted their fourth annual Kentucky Derby Viewing Party.

June is one of our favorite issues because we celebrate riding schools and entry-level equestrian programs. We hear stories of kids of all ages connecting with horses for the first time and of adults circling back to a beloved activity of their youth. Riding school horses and people man, woman, horse or pony the friendly front lines of efforts to keep equine interactions widely accessible, both economically and geographically speaking.