Tehachapi News

Ride The Winds

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If you love horses, there are lots of clubs and organizations in the area to share your interests. And it gives equestrians a chance to meet new friends. With the colder weather and less riding time, this could be your chance to find out more about these clubs.

There are three local Equestrian Trails, Inc. (ETI) groups. These are mainly trail riding organizations, but they also do trail trials and other horse events.

Corral 83, the Tehachapi Mountain Riders, has been around for more than 40 years. It does group trail rides to various locations both in Tehachapi as well as weekend and weeklong trips around the state. The group also helps with trail cleanup, particularly to the Pacific Crest Trail near Tehachapi-Willow Springs and Cameron Canyon roads. No matter what type of horse you ride, all are welcome to join.  For more information on rides and meeting times, contact Linda Thurm (661-822-0237).
Corral 14, Western Wagons in Mojave, also hosts trail rides. This group does several two-day, overnight rides with potluck dinners. It also encourages those with horse-drawn wagons to come along. Occasionally, the group also hosts clinics. For more information, contact Katie Christman (661.824.2609).

Corral 65, the Kern Equestrian Riders, is one of the newer ETI groups formed a little more than two years ago. It is based in Bakersfield. It hosts trail rides along with trail trials. Trail trials are on-the-trail events that offer challenges for rider and horse.

Obstacles are put in your way over several miles of trails in a park or on private property. You're judged on how well you perform against these obstacles. For more information call Damara Mullins (661-340-1418) or go to the website at www.eticorral65.com.

The motto of the Tehachapi Western Events Association is, “Bringing the Horse Community Together.”  TWEA holds a number of different events that everyone can enjoy, including ranch sorting, barrel racing, trail rides, trail trials and playdays. This year, the group tried a new event, a Cowboy Challenge, which is similar to the extreme cowboy events. TWEA also christened its new home this past year, opening the TWEA/Red Horse Arena in Stallion Springs.

“It's nice to have a place of our own,” said president John Nelson. “We can plan events as we wish, but we still will try to work in events for the kids.”

Most of the money collected from these events and other fundraisers goes back to local community groups. So far, TWEA has given away more than $15,000. The group usually meets the first Monday night of the month. For more information, contact Nelson (661-823-1114) or check out the website at www.tehachapiwesternevents.com.

Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center (BVSEC) offers events for both residents and guests. The Buckaroos hold Ranch Sorting and Playday Events. Riders need a pass to get through the gate for those events, so call John Rush (661-821-1077) for more information.

The BVSEC also host several horse shows during the summer. There are classes for both Western and English events, along with divisions for youth participation. The show also has year-end High Point Awards in most of the classes. For information on that contact CJ Magee (661-821-0202).

The Tehachapi Dressage Society hosts clinics, shows and other dressage related events also at the BVSEC.  The clinics give riders informal opportunities to improve and work on specific trouble areas. For more information contact Terry Quinn (661-821-6323, tehachapi_dressage@sbcglobal.net).

The Lilac Ranch Riding Club has moved from it location off Abajo to its new digs at the old Rockin RC Ranch on Woodford-Tehachapi Rd.

“We have a lot more room now,” said owner/director Melissa Moors. “We went from three acres to 30. We have more room for horses and the arena is much bigger. We now can have all our extreme speed events here instead of having to use other facilities.”

Moors said they will be hosting playdays, day camps and clinics, along with the extreme speed events. She also will have a weeklong adventure camp this summer at the famous Noah Beery Jr. Ranch in Hart Flat. Call her for details on all the new happenings at (661)822-7062 or go to the ranch's website at www.lilacranchridingclub.com.

The Dust N Diamonds are an equestrian drill team. The team performs precision moves and drills on horseback. The Dust N Diamonds routinely rides in the Tehachapi Mountain Festival Parade and Rodeo, the Kern County Fair along with traveling to outside competitions. Anyone interested in auditioning can contact Public Relations Officer Marilyn Morphis (661-823-8763).

The Golden Gait Horse Club is for Peruvian Pasos owners, a breed noted for its smooth gait. The group presently is interested in finding owners of gaited horses in order to have special playdays, events or rides. Call BeBe McClelland (661-821-7605) for more info.

The Pony Club of Tehachapi is one of the leading junior equestrian organizations in the world, represented in 30 countries. The local club offers a program that teaches riding, mounted sports and the care of horses and ponies. The group meets three times a month for mounted meetings and once a month for group instruction.  Riders from ages 5-25 are welcome but must have their own horse or access to one.  For more information call Lisa Severijn (661-821-6505).

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 me at (661)878-2932, e-mail jillbn@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Horse events around the area
Peter Campbell Clinic
May 9-11, 2009 - Horsemanship, roping, cow work. Chavez Ranch (Tehachapi). Robert Chavez, (661)822-8802.

GH Equestrian Center (Tehachapi, formerly Rockn RC Ranch)
Extreme Speed Events
Jan. 17, Jan. 31, Feb. 14, Feb. 28, Mar. 14, Mar. 28, Apr. 4, Apr. 18, May 2. Melissa Moors, 661.822.7062.

Kern County Gymkhana Association (All at Sam Lynn Ball Park, Bakersfield).
Jan. 11, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 8, Mar. 22. Jackie Underwood, (661)589-4950.

Moonraker Ranch (Mojave)
Feb. 14, 2009 - Horsemanship Clinic with Dr. Mike. Katie Christmas, (661)824-2609.

Matt Sheridan Clinics
April 17-19, 2009 - Horsemanship Clinic, Desert Rose Ranch, Acton.
June 12-14 , 2009 - Ranch/Trail Riding Clinic, Sheridan Ranch, Tehachapi.
July 24-16, 2009 - Ranch Reining/Cow, Sheridan Ranch, Tehachapi.
Sept. 25-27 - Ranch Roping/Cutting, Sheridan Ranch, Tehachapi.
Matt Sheridan, (661)822-4911, www.mattsheridan.net.