Hoofbeat, October 2018

As summer starts winding down, my sights are now set on the fall show season. I do enjoy staying a little closer to home, having just returned from trips with horses to compete at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana and the American Eventing Championships in Parker, Colo.
Whilst I enjoy paying less than $4 a gallon for diesel, nothing compares to the feeling I get when I drive along CA-46 and see the hills of Paso Robles unfold ahead of me. Traveling with a trailer full of show horses for over 20 hours requires a lot of pre-planning and a small amount of good luck. I’ve become somewhat of an amateur mechanic, expert tire changer, roadside horse wrangler but unfortunately remains a terrible singer. Here’s what’s happening around town this month. If you’d like your clinic or event added to our calendar email bec@pasomagazine.com.

From Paso Robles to Burghley House

Central Coast native Andrea Baxter has just returned from the trip of a lifetime with her 13-year-old Creston-bred Thoroughbred ‘Indy 500.’ The pair just tackled what is widely considered the most grueling three-day event in the world, The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, England. This is the second year they’ve embarked on this massive trip, this year finishing in 36th out of 80 starters.
Andrea now has her sights set on traveling to the UK again next year, this time they’re aiming for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, May 1-5 2019. “I have so many emotions right now, I actually can’t believe we did it!” said Baxter upon her return this week. ‘Indy’ will remain in quarantine at LAX for a few days before returning to Twin Rivers Ranch for some much-deserved downtime this fall. You can follow Andrea’s adventures at www.twinrivershorsepark.com/estrella-equestrian.

Quarter Horses Back on Display in Paso Robles

As one of the top Quarter Horse shows on the West Coast, and a premier destination for horse people, the Fall Classic Quarter Horse Show & Futurity and EMO California State Championships are a much-anticipated stop on the fall Quarter Horse show schedule. This year’s judges are Michele Pearson, Debbie Cooper, Kelly Smith, Suzy Jeanne, Doug Huls, Lita Hottel.
The show includes a full slate of Western and English rail classes, including Ranch Riding, a 3-year old Trail Futurity and new for 2018 – Reining classes for Novice Amateur, Amateur, Junior and Senior Horses. In addition, the show features a separate day for the EMO California State Championship show, which offers PCQHA top exhibitors an opportunity to compete for the coveted title of “California State Champion” and take home a beautiful Silverado Silversmith Silver Buckle. Check it out, October 3-7 at the Paso Robles Event Centre.

October Calendar

October 3-7: Fall Classic Quarter Horse Show & Futurity and The EMO California State Championships ramp up for signature event, Paso Robles Events Center, Paso Robles. Free admission, contact Heidi heidi.horseshows@gmail.com for more information.
October 13-14: Harvest Special Schooling Show, Paso Robles Horse Park. Contact  info@pasorobleshorsepark.com for more information or visit www.pasorobleshorsepark.com for class schedules and times. Spectators welcome, great food available on site.
October 24-25: Melissa Creswick clinic at Four Corners Dressage, 5720 El Pharo Drive,
Paso Robles. Contact Katey for directions at kateyaugsburger
@gmail.com.
October 27: “Howlin’ at the Moon” Valley Dressage and
Western Dressage Schooling Show, Moon Valley Farm 5625 Linne Rd, Paso Robles. CAWDA High Point, Judge Deborah Hirons.
Also running “Anything Goes” Halloween Costume Class and Freestyle sponsored by Outback Internet, prize money awarded to the winner! Spectators welcome, food available on site. Contact John Rees john@reesnet.org for entry information.
October 28: Halloween One Day at Twin Rivers Ranch, 8715 N River Rd, Paso Robles. Contact info@twinrivershorsepark.com for more information. Free admission, food available. Come and enjoy
the Halloween Costumes at this fun schooling show, classes run
all day.