Tehachapi News

Ride the Wind

Trainer Jeremy Dunn, who was featured a few weeks ago, is doing well with his “Mustang Makeover” horse, Ojos. Dunn, who grew up in Tehachapi and now trains near Rosamond, recently put Ojos through his paces by riding him in the Tehachapi Mountain Festival Parade. 

The two are on track to participate in the “Makeover” on Sept. 22 at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas. After the competition, the Mustangs will be adopted through auction the following day. The RFD Channel is televising different aspects of the competition on Wide World of Horses. The show airs on Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17 and Dec. 31. For more information, click www.jbcattleco.com.

Also at the Mt. Festival Parade, Chuck Lewter of Chadeau Mountain Clydesdales won first place for horse and carriage entries in the parade. It was the first time his new wagon and harness setup had been shown in public. You can see his Clydesdales on the corner of Highline and Dennison. For more information call 333-3519 or click www.chuck.clydesdales.net.

The Tehachapi Western Events Association had a thriller in the last of its three-event, Ranch Sorting Buckle Series. Winners Cindy Buchwitz and Lisa Rotta, who were in third place coming into the finals, needed to sort six cows in the final go to take the lead. They sorted nine, and along with their nine in the first round. finished with 35 cows overall for the three events. First and second place daily winners were separated by less than three seconds. Ric Webber and Matt Krueger sorted nine cows in each go for a time of 218.022. Buchwitz and Rotta's time was 221.917. John Rush & Webber were third, but had the best Single Go Time of 73.257.

TWEA has a Trail Trial on Sept. 15 and a Playday on Sept. 29 at the Bo-V Arena. TWEA also announced the winners of its Flossie Flop Raffle. Saturday winners included Stell Raymond ($300), Stacey Hobson ($200) and Dean Landon (DONATED BACK, $100). Sunday winners were Katie Dressel ($300), John Ervin/Mike Farkas ($200) and The Loop Newspaper ($100).
For more information call John Nelson (823-1114) or click, www.tehachapiwesternevents.com.

ETI Corral 83, Tehachapi Mountain Riders has its 8th Annual Stallion Springs Poker Ride on Sept. 29. Sign-ups start at 8 a.m., with the ride going out about 10. The cost for ETI members is $20 and includes lunch and poker hand. Non-members add $5. The Pat Strong Trio will perform Western Music from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information call President Susan Wellington (822-8131).

The Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center has a Ranch Sorting sponsored by the Buckaroos on Sept. 16. Call John Rush (821-1077) for more info. Also at the BVSEC, the Tehachapi Dressage Society has a CDS Show on Sept. 23. Contact Terry Quinn, 821-6323, tehachapi_dressage@sbcglobal.net, for more info.

Trainer Matt Sheridan is running a Ranch Horse Versatility Clinic at the Robert Chavez Ranch in Tehachapi on Sept. 28 to 30. The cost is $200 plus a cattle fee. He also is doing a Horsemanship clinic with cattle at the Rosamond High School Arena Oct. 12 to 14. Clinic cost is $200 plus $10 cattle fee. Early registrants will receive a $25 discount. For more information contact Sheridan at 822-4911 or click www.mattsheridan.net.

Trainer Bill Cameron is hosting a Beginner-Intermediate Clinic called, “Learn How to Work a Cow,” at the Rosamond High School Arena on Sept. 22. The cost is $100. For more information call 350-6577 or click www.naturalbornriders.com.

The High Spirits Therapeutic Equestrian Program, which works with riders with all types of disabilities, is having a Fund-Raiser BBQ & Demonstration on Oct. 6. There also will be raffle for a big screen TV. For more information on tickets, contact Alice Coghlan, 822-7272.

The American Endurance Ride Convention (www.aerc.org) is having a 2-day endurance ride in Bear Valley Springs on November 3 to 4. Each day will have a 25 and 50 mile ride. There are five divisions — Juniors, Featherweights, Lightweights, Middleweights & Heavy weights. Fees range from $65 to $115, depending on distance entered and division. There will be vet checks for dehydration, metabollics and level of fitness during the ride. For more info, contact Carol Miller (972-6044) or click her website, www.carolmillerrealestate.com, to download entry forms.

The US Dept. of Interior Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse & Burro Program is holding a special adoption for pairs of mares or jennys until Sept. 28. The price is $125 and the animals are available at its Ridgecrest facility. For more info, call 760.384.5764, or click www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov

Don't forget, if you have any information to report on the horse community such as upcoming events, clinics, raffles or you've won an award, please contact Jill at 823-1114, e-mail jillbn@yahoo.com. Jill and her husband John operate the Bar Double J Ranch on Cameron Canyon Road, raising performance quarter horses (www.barjjranch.com).