Monthly Column by Carol Dean-Porter |
FALL HORSE SHOWS
Fall is the time for the show season to start
winding down, medal finals and championship shows are held, and riders in contentionn for
year end awards are gathering their last few points. In California we have some wonderful
special horse shows.
The Portuguese Bend National Horse Show is a 3 day "A" rated show, which has
been held every year since 1957.This year the date was over the Labor Day weekend. It is a
charity show held for the benefit if the Children's Hospital, and is organized by a
dedicated group of volunteers. The committee runs food booths, with wonderful home baked
treats. This show is held at a city park in Rolling Hills Estates, which is my home town.
The main ring is laid out on a grass soccer field, surrounded by huge tents and booths for
souveniers, face painting, pony rides and puppet shows. The focus of the show is a medal
class final sponsored by the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association for riders 14 years of
age and under. The course is quite technical and requires an organized, well planned ride.
All the riders compete in the first round, everyone with a score of 65 or better competes
in the second round and the top 12 compete in the final round. There is a $10,000
junior/amateur owner jumper classic and a Gambler's Choice class which is always popular
with the crowd.
The Orange County Championship horse show is held each October at the Orange County
Fairgrounds, sponsored by the Orange County Horse Shows Association. The organization
sanctions about 50 shows each year. Members qualify for each of their classes by finishing
1st, 2nd or 3rd in the corresponding event during the year. This year there were over 250
horses entered in the show. There are classes for all levels ranging from cross rails to a
mini prix. Awards are beautiful embroidered jackets to first, leather halters to second
and horse coolies all the way to 8th place. There were more than 40 entries in the
2'6" level classes, so those events were split into two or three sections, with equal
awards presented to each. All classes are judged by two judges using the open numerical
system, so everyone knows what the leading score is at all times.
There is a costume class which had almost 30 entries and drew a standing-room-only crowd
of spectators. There is a Hunt Teams of Three class, and horses are allowed to compete on
more than one team, so there were more than 25 teams being judged over a course of fences.
There are 6 medal finals - a 2'6" class for juniors and one for amateurs, a 3' and a
3'3" class for the two age groups.
Tack trunks are awarded to the high point junior rider in hunter classes, the high point
amateur rider in hunter classes and the high point horse in jumper classes. Beautiful hand
painted denim jackets are awarded to the high point riders at the green rider level.
This is not an AHSA recognized competition, but is held under AHSA rules and employs AHSA
"R" rated judges and stewards.
The last show of the season is the Santa Barbara National Amateur Horse Show, also known
as the "Turkey" show. It is held over the Thanksgiving week, at the endangered
Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. There are flat classes for riders starting at
age 6 & under, then for each individual age - 8 year olds, 9 year olds and so on!
Hunters and Equitation over fences classes start with the 7 & unders, and Jumper
classes start with the 8 & unders. This year there were more than 13 entries in the 8
& Under jumper divisions! There is a team jumper competition with points being kept in
each age group, and the team winners of each class are awarded sashes to wear in the next
day's class. Adult have their own set of classes including two age groups of jumpers,
three age groups of hunters and flat classes. Awards for individual classes range from
lead shanks to coffee mugs to boot bags. Show champions are awarded beautiful coolers.
The show sponsors a Thanksgiving evening Turkey dinner. All the barns decorate their
dinner tables and the show presents awards for table decorations in a variety of
categories. The show also gives awards for the youngest and oldest riders. This year the
oldest was 79, and the youngest was 4 years old! There is a pinata for the little kids, a
limbo contest, balloons, dancing and fun for all.
The Earl Warren showgrounds is currently fighting for its life. This facility is owned by
the 19th District Agricultural Association which is a state committee appointed by the
governor. Many of the current members are in favor of commercial development at this site
and there is a dedicated group of volunteers fighting to save the facility for horse show
use. Cars and golf carts all over the showgrounds are carrying "Save Earl
Warren" bumper stickers.
Carol's
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