Inland Empire H/J Association introduces new format to the delight of competitors.

by Patti Schooley • photos by: Cami Jo Contreras; Allie Sibley; Jessica Abbott; Patti Schooley

The Inland Empire Hunter Jumper Association (IEHJA) kicked off its 2015 Fall Festival at the City of Industry Expo Center by adding a third show day, Fri., Nov. 13, for a “jumpers only extravaganza.” This new format proved “lucky” for many competitors and trainers alike as they could concentrate on their jumper rides. Many competitors commented that this was a less stressful approach to showing as their jumper and hunter horse was often one in the same. Alternatively, riders who only wanted to compete in jumper classes could trailer in for the day and not incur overnight boarding costs.

A college breeding project, Pavi’s Sinfandel, takes top honors in the 4-year-old division.

Adult amateur Jamie Lawrence of Northridge could not have been more pleased with her college project at the USEA West Coast Young Event Horse Championships for four-year-old horses.
The Championships were held in Temecula on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in conjunction with the Galway Downs International Event.

Fun Halloween show has special meaning this year.

report and photos by Cassidy Gallman

“Dressage shows are boring,” said no one ever and certainly not when in connection with the third annual Spooktacular dressage show presented by Crackerjack Productions at the Del Mar Horsepark. This show has been this year, and every year since its creation, a highly anticipated event. I would even dare to say more so than the Halloween holiday itself.

Chilean rider Samuel Perot wins World Cup™ class in front of a sell-out crowd.

The Sacramento International Horse Show out-did itself this year with an incredible atmosphere, a phenomenal line up of competitors and a sold out crowd for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento Presented by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. The show took place Sept. 24-27 at the Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center near Sacramento.

Germany’s Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh were the last and the fastest in the six-horse jump-off, in front of a super appreciative, full house crowd. Photo: Kristin Lee Photography

Scott Brash, world #1 for nearly two years, senses right away that his jump-off time might not stand for the win. He and Hello M’Lady settled for second. Photo: Kristin Lee Photography

Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh Claim Top Prize in the Longines Grand Prix.

Four days of champion caliber show jumping action at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles culminated in Sunday afternoon’s Longines Grand Prix. Thirty-six of the world’s best riders competed in the grand finale of the American leg of the Longines Masters series for $450,000 in prize money, the largest purse in any United States indoor competition. Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh stunned the crowd with a jump-off time of 37.04 seconds to become the first ever winner of the new Longines Masters Series Trophy.

Lauren Billys, Kelly Pugh & Ruth Bley win their divisions.

Lauren Billys held a 4.6-point lead before the final cross-country phase of the CIC3* at the Woodside International Horse Trials, and she used every bit of the lead she’d built on the first day to eke out a victory over James Alliston on Tivoli.

Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy added 4.4 time penalties, to win by just .2 penalties (57.5 to 57.7). Alliston also finished third on Parker (60.6).

Northern California-based trainer has unprecedented success in the WIHS hunter ring.

Northern California-based John French had unprecedented success in the professional hunter divisions at the Washington International Horse Show, Oct. 20-25 in downtown Washington D.C. He took home three championships, three reserve championships, two Grand Hunter Championships, and the 2015 WIHS Leading Hunter Rider title.

Ransome Rombauer and Lalonde

Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West.

report and photos by Kim F. Miller

Ransome Rombauer continued her ascent in the equitation and jumping rings with a victory in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West. They were held during the International Jumping Festival at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, Sept. 18-19, in San Juan Capistrano.

PCHA 14 & Under Horsemanship Medal Finals winner Grady Lyman, with trainer Karen Stubbs and coach Karen Healey, and some of the many people who make the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show the USEF-sanctioned

Grady Lyman, Virginia Fout & Jesse Schurtleff among stars at Portuguese Bend National Horse Show.

The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is far from the only beneficiary of the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show. Designated a “heritage” show by the United States Equestrian Federation, the PBNHS celebrated its 58th year, Sept. 4-6 in the Los Angeles area’s Rolling Hills Estates.

It blends top regional competition with genuine community appeal and involvement, including an army of cheerful volunteers all clad in blue and white checked shirts.

Third time is a charm for Genevieve Meyer.

Qualifying for the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Finals at the CP National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, requires a top placing in one of eight Regionals throughout the country. Four of those eight qualifying competitions awarded winners Saturday, Sept. 12.