Monthly Newsletter

Sept Header.jpg

American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA)

Hi Friends— I just competed in my first ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) ride and I enjoyed it immensely. It was a great way to compete, meet friends, enjoy time with my horses. The obstacles are something you would encounter on any trail ride and you get to accumulate points towards end of the year prizes. Here is some information on ACTHA to learn more.

About the American Competitive Trail Horse Association

ACTHA’s Founders, Karen VanGetson and Carrie Scrima were tired of long drives to multi-day, timed competitions. They wanted a venue where they could enjoy their horses and the wonderful scenery around them. Of course they wanted some challenge and a chance to learn as well as show off their horse’s talents. But most of all they wanted beauty, camaraderie and fun!

Try as they might to find this in areas they were interested in or on a national level, their search was in vain. So Carrie said "Let’s start one!". Thus the foundation for ACTHA began.

Today ACTHA is a national phenomenon with rides all across the USA. Wonderful sponsors and participants flock to ACTHA SANCTIONED rides and enable their higher Cause…feeding starving horses by donating to Horse Rescues and charities. Up to 50% of ACTHA’s proceeds are directly donated to horse charities.

ACTHA enables others to hold these wonderful casual competitions through its “Affiliate Program”. An Affiliate can be an individual, club or any organization wanting to raise funds. ACTHA provides assistance and aids, as well as a consulting member of ACTHA’s management team that joins with the Affiliate every step of the way. (For more on this look at “Host a Ride”).

Please join with ACTHA, and have fun, learn, win prizes and most of all help stop the neglect that thousands of horses find themselves enduring. There are wonderful rescues doing everything they can…but they need help. Have some fun and feel good doing it!

What is A Competitive Trail Challenge?

A Competitive Trail Challenge (CTC) is a trail ride competition that is a 6-10 mile trail ride with judged obstacles (mostly natural) along the way. Each obstacle has its own judge. It is not a timed event. You will have a ride out time (usually within 30-60 minutes) to head out on the trail. You are encouraged to ride with your group, family, or friends. When you come to the obstacle & judge, you perform the obstacle 1 at a time. The trail rides usually take from 2-3 hours. After you come in from your ride, you can eat some lunch and be ready for the awards ceremony. Cash and prizes are given to 1st -6th place for each division. These rides provide a natural setting for your horse and are a lot of fun! At the very least you will enjoy seeing great countryside on horseback and get to know a network of horse lovin' trail riders such as yourself!

How will the events take place?

The events will take place on a 6-10 mile trail ride and will last about 2-3 hours. Riders will head out usually between 9-10 AM. This is not a timed event. Riders can head out on the trail with their group anytime during their allotted time slot. There will be 6-10 judged obstacles along the trail consisting mainly of natural origin. Obstacles on the course will include, but not limited to (check the OBSTACLES link for more obstacle information):

crossing streams
crossing bridges
riding up/down steep hills
backing around obstacles
dragging a log
opening/closing gates
jumping over a low log
riding through vine styled obstacles
trotting over spaced logs
stand in position while a loud noise is present
walk on/around plastic tarp/bags
trot/canter from point A to point B

Interested? Visit the ACTHA Website to Learn More… www.actha.us

Sept 1, Vista - VPR Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Vista Palomar Riders club house, www.vistapalomarriders.com
Sept 1-5, Del Mar - Showpark All Seasons Tournament, at the Horsepark, www.showpark.com
Sept 2, Burbank - Gold Coast 6 Hunter/Jumper Show, Los Angeles Equestrian, Langer Equestrian Group 818-567-7317
Sept 4, Sunland - Free Clinic! Weston Transformation Workshop, Celie 818-352-7709 cw@celieweston.com
Sept 4, Ramona - Ranch Sorting & Shootout, CowHorse Ranch Cattle Club, www.cowhorseranch.com
Sept 4, Woodcrest - Jutta Schott, Feitlehrer FN 2010 Clinics, Liston Stables, listonstables.com/clinicians/jutta.htm
Sept 4, Yucaipa - CSHA Region 14 Gymkhana, Yucaipa Equestrian Center, www.cshareg14.webs.com
Sept 6, Eagle Rock - Operation Saddle Up Therapeutic Riding Center Benefit, Saddle Tramp Productions, Richard Saddler, 619-602-0951, richard.sadler@rocketmail.com, www.cornerstonetrc.org/cornerstone_saddleup.html
Sept 10-12, Burbank - Pacific Slope Sport Horse Championship Show, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, pacificslopesporthorse.org Judy 520-940-7126
Sept 10-12, Vista, VPR Wagon Wheel Camp Out, Contact Dayna 760-727-4845, www.vistapalomarriders.com
Sept 11, Rancho Santa Fe - Friends of San Pasqual Academy Team Penning, benefit for San Pasqual Academy, friendsofsanpasqualacademy.org
Sept 11, Ramona - Ranch Sorting and Shootout, CowHorse Ranch Cattle Club, www.cowhorseranch.com
Sept 11, Livermore - CSHA Double Point Show, 925-525-6365 info@lorimerwindmillranch.com
Sept 11, Pasadena - 5th Annual Horses in the Arroyo Play Day, Rose Bowl Riders, www.rosebowlriders.org
Sept 11-12, Del Mar - Showpark County 5 Horse Show, at the Horsepark, www.showpark.com
Sept 11-12, Burbank - Pacific Slope Sport Horse Championship, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Nancy 626-390-8918
Sept 12, Orange - Orange Park Acres All Western Show, Sandy 714-997-9135 www.orangeparkacres.org
Sept 14, Chino Hills - Chino Hills Horsemen's Association Monthly Club Meeting, McCoy's Equestrian Center, www.chinohillshorsemen.org
Sept 15 , San Marcos - Open Show Series, Los Vallecitos Riders, Tonya Panunzi winningribbons2@yahoo.com, www.lvrclub.com
Sept 15, Vista - VPR Pot luck, 6:30 pm at the Vista Palomar Riders club house, www.vistapalomarriders.com
Sept 17-19, Del Mar - Del Mar International Dressage Horse Show, Del Mar Arena, www.california-dressage.org
Sept 18, Ramona - Ranch Sorting and Shootout, Every Saturday, CowHorse Ranch Cattle Club, www.cowhorseranch.com
Sept 18, Lancaster - Open Horse Show, Hi-Desert Horsemen's Association, Jean 661-943-6132 www.HiDHA.net
Sept 18-19, Acton - Extreme Cowboy Horsemanship Skills Challenge, Acton Chamber of Commerce and Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Association, www.actoncoc.org
Sept 22-26, Burbank - L.A. International Jumping Festival, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 818-567-7317
Sept 25, Vista - VPR Tack Swap meet, Vista Palomar Riders, www.vistapalomarriders.com
Sept 25, Ramona - Ranch Sorting and Shootout, Every Saturday, CowHorse Ranch Cattle Club, www.cowhorseranch.com
Sept 25, Burbank - Grand Prix Show Jumping, Los Angeles Equestrian, Center Box Office 818-840-9066.
Sept 25, Woodcrest - Jutta Schott, Feitlehrer FN 2010 Clinics, Liston Stables, www.listonstables.com/clinicians/jutta.htm
Sept 25, Hemet - Trails & Tails, benefit for wounded Veterans, Shannan 951.966-9229 caninesupportteams.com
Sept 25, Hidden Valley - Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship, annual fundraising at El Campeon Farms, www.rideon.org, Sara Jones 805-375-9078 www.rideon.org
Sept 25-26, Del Mar - Signature 5 Horse Show, Horsepark, Robin Serfass robinserfass@cox.net

Featured Property

Custom Built Beauty on 2+ Acres!

Sept Feat Prop.jpg Lovely 4 + Optional Bedroom / 3 Bath Home, Custom Built in 2005, Sits on 2.05 Flat Acres, Property is Gated & Fully Fenced. Features Include Porcelain Tile and Wood Floors Throughout, Maple Cabinets, Fireplace in Master Bedroom & Family Room, All Living Space and Bedrooms located on First Floor with Large Bonus/Game Room Upstairs, Property is Zoned for Horses with Plenty of Room for Barn , Arena, Pastures and RV Parking.

Offered At $512,500

Available Properties

Every Comfort Inside & Out - Custom Home • 5 Bed/4 Bath • 3,365 Sq. Ft. • Infinity Pool • 9 Foot Ceilings • 3.65 Acres • Entertainers Back Yard • Outdoor Fireplace • Built In BBQ • Pond & Waterfall • Bring Your Horses! • Large Barn / Garage (46 x 42) • Room For Arena • Fenced Grass Pasture • Second Gate/Entrance for Trailer ......................................................Offered at $1,275,000
Pristine Equestrian Estate - Custom Home • 3 Bed/3Bath • 4,797 Sq. Ft. • Pool • Ranch Used to Raise Thoroughbreds • 13.7 Acres • Fully Fenced • Two Gated Entrances • 9 Large Grass Pastures w. Irrigation on Well• Three Stall Barn w/ 1 Bedroom Apartment, Kitchen & Full Bath• Large Utility/Feed Shed • Room for More!.........................................................Reduced to Sell!! $1,100,000
Santa Fe Style Equestrian Estate - 4 Bedrooms • 5 Baths • 2.5 Acres • 3,266 Sq Ft Home • Entry Level Master • Pool & Spa • Detached Guest House with Bed, Bath & Kitchenette • 5 Covered Stalls • 2 Wash Racks • Tack Shed • 2 Covered Paddocks (30' x 30') • Arena (120' x 80') with Viewing Deck • Plenty of Trailer Parking……………………………………..…..Reduced to Sell!! $995,000
Entertain In Style - 4 Bedrooms • 3 Baths • 1.85 Acres • 2,812 Sq Ft Home • Granite in Kitchen & Baths • Kitchen Island • Stainless Appliances • Stone Fireplace • Formal Dining Room • 9 Foot Ceilings Plus Vaulted Ceilings in Living Room & Family Room • Master Retreat • Smart House Wiring • Slate Flooring • Central Air • Pool & Spa • 3 Garage……….….Offered at $889,000
Custom Built Fallbrook Beauty - 4 bed/2.5 ba • 3500 sq. ft. • 3.22 Acres • Sophisticated Single Story • Built 2004 • Luxurious Master Site w/ Dual Fireplace • Custom Tile & Granite • Formal Dining and Living Rooms • Hardwood Floors • Views • Custom 2 Stall Barn • 3 Car Garage • Trails from the Property • Room for In & Outs or Arena…………………………………Offered at $750,000
Your Own Private Retreat in Vista - 4 Bed/Bath • 2,824 Sq. Ft. • 1.39 Acres • 2 Ponds • Waterfall • Stream • Private Balconies & Patio Areas • Equestrian/Biking/Hiking Trails From the Property • Privacy • Views • Gourmet Kitchen • Granite Counters • Cherry Cabinets • Stainless Appliances • Formal Dining Room • Vaulted Ceilings • Solid Oak Floors…………….Offered at $584,000
Menifee Gem - 2 Acres • Fully Fenced • 3 Bed+Optional/3.5 Bath • Custom Home • 3 Car Garage • Stainless Appliances • Cathedral Wood Beamed Ceilings • Fireplace • Large Master Suite • Jetted Tub • Views • Barn • Large Pens w/ Shelter • Lighted Arena • Enclosed Hay Barn • Horse Trailer Cover • Corrals • Tack Room • Private Roads & Trails……....Offered at $525,000
18+ Acres in Valley Center - 18.71 Acres • 3 Bedroom/2 Bath • Optional Bedroom • Large Bedrooms • Tile Baths • Pot Belly Stove • 2,172 Sq Ft • Remodeled Home • 360º Views • 2,400 Sq Ft Steel Garage • RV Parking, Hookup/Dump • 5 Pads For Corrals • Miles of Trails from Property • Plenty of Room for Horses & Facilities • Privacy, Beauty & Peacefulness!..............Offered at $498,000
LOT...9.38 Acre Lot - Valley Center - Flat & Usable • Perfect for Horse Ranch • Secluded but Close to All • Lots of California Oaks • Stream • Permitted 2,620 Steel Tractor/Equipment Barn……………………………………….………………………..Offered at $400,000
PENDING!!! Hilltop Building Site - Fallbrook - 4 Acres • Horses Allowed • Close to Town Yet All the Country Feel • Approved 5 Bedroom Septic • Trail Access • Health Department Approved • Perc Test Complete…………………………………...Offered at $269,000

You've bought the best horse hay you can find. Now store it for maximum use and nutrition. Don't let mold, mildew, rodents and weather ruin your hay!

Indoor Storage:

1. Keep hay dry. If you're storing it in a barn, be sure there are no roof leaks or water drainage problems.

2. Be sure condensation doesn't accumulate on the inside of the roof. A surprising amount of water can drip on your hay from a sweaty roof! Use a plastic tarp to channel water away from bales.

3. Keep an eye out for rodents. Rats and mice can contaminate your hay. Plug any entrances with steel wool. If you can't keep them out, cats and black snakes are great mousers!

4. Keep the hay off the floor. Used wooden pallets are available from many local businesses. They're often free for the taking and work perfectly!

5. Stack your hay for maximum air flow. Square bales should be stacked on edge with narrow gaps between rows. Be sure to check for heat in the bales by driving a metal rod into the centers.

6. Use older hay first. Pull old bales to the front or side before stacking in new hay, and feed older hay first before starting on the fresher supply.7. As much as possible, keep bales in their compacted state. Broken bales expose the hay to air which will cause it to degrade in quality. Break off flakes to minimize air exposure.

Special considerations for outside storage:

8. When stored outside, hay must be stacked on pallets or some type of ventilated platform to keep ground moisture from infiltrating the bales. Be aware of seasonal wet spots!

9. Bales should be protected from sun and rain with tarps. Stack the bales in a pyramid formation to encourage water runoff.

10. Tarps also protect your hay from sunlight which causes rapid nutrient loss.

Hay needs to be stored properly for maximum safety, nutrition and usability. But no matter how carefully it's stored, always check each bale for mold or foreign objects. Never feed a horse hay that looks or smells moldy!

Thank You For Your Referrals!

My business is built on your referrals! I focus 100% of my energy on my clients and in return I depend on you to refer your family and friends to me. If you are genuinely pleased with my services, the greatest compliment you can give me is a referral. Referrals are what determine my success ... one home at a time, one friend at a time, one client at a time. I thank you for your trust and sincerely hope you will tell your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about my services. If you know someone who is thinking of selling or buying a home, please have them call me at 760.522.8559