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.

Tali Dejong and Amadeus. Photo: McCool Photography

97th Annual Flintridge Horse Show

At the 97th Annual Flintridge Horse Show, Tali Dejong and Amadeus emerged victorious in the Grand Prix. Finishing in second place, less than one second behind Dejong, was Alyce Bittar and Lara Croft B. Coming in third was The Flying Ham ridden by Carly Anthony. The USHJA National Hunter Derby saw 38 horses with Limequyl and Savannah Jenkins taking the top spot with a score of 183.

April indeed brought showers to Northern California, but was a little crueler in Southern California where an EHV-1 situation arose in Orange County. As we went to press with this issue, three horses had tested positive for the dreaded virus and were being cared for in isolation at a stable where the virus was first diagnosed on April 13, a Friday, naturally! A total of 56 horses possibly exposed to the virus were under quarantine, with veterinarians from the California Department of Food and Agriculture supervising close monitoring for signs of new cases. As of April 19, no additional cases were reported. Our best wishes to all!

Lisa Wall and Tangled Up in Blue top the USHJA National Hunter Derby at LEG Gold Coast April. Photo: Kristin Lee Photography

LEG Gold Coast April Highlights

Out of a field of 24 horse and rider combinations, it was professional Lisa Wall aboard Mia Dimson’s Tangled Up in Blue who earned the top honors.

“This was her first hunter derby win,” Lisa said. “This mare just recently moved up to the 3’6” level. She is still learning, and we are putting her together. She rode really well. Each horse show, she’s consistently getting more broke.”

California Riding Magazine Event Calendar

New H/J Shows
May 12-13 & 17-20 in Paso Robles

The Spring Fling Schooling May 12-13 is the second in a new series of hunter/jumper schooling shows staged by and at the beautiful Paso Robles Horse Park. Whether you’ve taken a long break from competitions, are considering getting your feet wet for the first time, or just looking for an organized, affordable and fun show jumping experience, this is your ticket. Meet fellow horse enthusiasts, compare your skills to other riders, and hone your competition skills in a relaxed and beautiful setting.

Held in partnership with the Santa Barbara Riding Club, the series continues in October with the Harvest Special and concludes this year with the Winter Wonderland in December. The schooling shows are designed to give local equestrians access to affordable, well-run competition at a first class facility.

Nayel Nails Another Biggie

Nayel Nassar’s 14 year old Hanoverian Lordan doesn’t compete often, but when he does compete, he goes big. The pair won the AIG $1 Million at HITS Coachella Sunday March 18. That followed Lordan’s last outing at Cochella, the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup class, which he won on Feb. 10. The two-for-two track record speaks volumes of Nayel’s careful management of his spectacular horse.