Tehachapi News

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The Dust N Diamonds Equestrian Drill team is getting ready for the 2008 season. The group practices on Sunday and is preparing for its first performance on May 2-3 at the Kern County Sheriff's Reserve Stampede Rodeo held at the Kern County Fair Grounds in Bakersfield. DND also will be traveling to Reno in June to perform at the Western States Equestrian Drill Competition held in conjunction with Reno Rodeo.  General meetings are the third Monday of the month at City Slickers, in Tehachapi, at 6 p.m.

Members also have a “field trip” planned to the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage (The Autry National Center) in Griffith Park. For more information on the DND call president Marilyn Morphis at 822-3219 or email pmarx@bak.rr.com. She notes the group is always looking for new riders.

Tehachapi's Rodeo Queens Brooke Sander, Miss Rodeo Tehachapi, Allie Tully, Junior Miss Rodeo, and Taylor Cummings, Little Miss Rodeo will participate at Whiskey Flat Days in Kernville on Feb. 16-17. They'll ride in the Whiskey Flat Grand Parade on Saturday and the Wild West Daze Rodeo at the John E. McNally Arena on Sunday.  For more on information on the Tehachapi Rodeo Queen and the entry forms, also contact Morphis.

The Tehachapi Western Events Association is in need of an additional arena for some of its playday events. The facility would require ample parking and be available at a nominal fee as TWEA is a non-profit organization. Much of the fees collected from events and sponsors goes back to local community groups. In the past five years TWEA has donated close to $20,000. If you have an available arena, contact president John Nelson at 878-2931.

The Moonraker Ranch in Mojave will be busy in February. Trainer Jeremy Dunn (www.JBCattleCo.Com) is holding a Horsemanship Clinic on Feb. 9. The cost is $75 for riders, $10 for spectators. A chili and cornbread lunch will be served. Dunn will go over groundwork, working on developing a feel and timing, exercises to improve balance and straightness and working toward moving all corners of the body. www.JBCattleCo.com.

The ranch also has another Horsemanship Clinic, this one hosted by Dr. Mike (www.dunmovinranch.com) on Feb. 16. Ground and saddle skills will be among the topics. The cost is $95 for riders and $15 for spectators. For more info on both call 824-2609.

ETI Corral 65 Kern Equestrian Riders (Bakersfield) has a weekend trip planned to the Walker Pass/Cranebrake area near Lake Isabella from Mar. 28-30. Camping is available and most of the meals are included for a $40 fee. Riders also can come for just one day. For more information, call Pam Hill at (760)378-3638 or 265-0184) or click the website at www.corral65.com. 

There's been a lot of talk about budgets cuts in California and one of the hardest hits could be to our state parks. One park mentioned is Montana de Oro. This park is a favorite among horse enthusiasts as it has lots of trails and a horse campground. If you'd like to have your voice heard on this issue contact our local representatives Kevin McCarthy, Nicole Parra and Dean Florez. We need to keep open spaces “Open.

Also all horse owners should be aware of Bill S 2283. This bill is designed to preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public land administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service on which there is a historical tradition of the use of pack and saddle stock animals. This bill also is called “The Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Land Act.” Click, www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2283.html#usercomments. This will director you to find out more information and to make personal comments.

A downturn in the housing industry is to blame for a lot of woes, but it's also affected the horse industry. Less homes being built means less equine shavings that are used for bedding. Wood and sawdust are by products of new home construction. But with fewer new homes being built, equine bedding manufacturers have had to scramble to find these materials that are used for the shavings. The shortage has caused an increase in prices and, in some places, a shortage of supply. So until the new housing market increases, the price of wood shaving will be a little higher.

Don't forget, if you have any information to report on the horse community such as tack sales, upcoming events, clinics, raffles or you've won an award, please contact me at 878-2932, or email jillbn@yahoo.com.