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Horses and riders get their first shot at competition in Ventura
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Photo by Rob Varela
Danielle Cota of San Diego rides Niko Blue in the Morgan English Pleasure category at the United Professional Horsemen's Association show Sunday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
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Photo by Rob Varela
Competitors Madison Nelson, 10, of Carlsbad, left, and Savana Miller, 10, of Escondido relax between classes at Sunday's horse show.
It was Tatiana's first time in front of an audience.
Her eyes got big and looked just off to the side, past the bleachers, known as the "rail," filled with people she didn't know.
A 4-year-old Morgan horse, Tatiana was competing in the Saddle Seat Equitation category of the Seaside Horse Show on Sunday morning in Ventura, a prelude to the Ventura County Fair, which starts July 30 and runs through Aug. 10.
It was Tatiana's first trot around a show ring.
"She gets nervous," said Austin Everson, her trainer. "She has her likes and her dislikes, just like a person does."
Every year, Chapter 1 of the United Professional Horsemen's Association has its weekendlong horse show at the fairgrounds in Ventura.
It's known as a "schooling show," where young riders or inexperienced horses can get some practice in. The show encourages show ring participation by those of all ages.
One of the show's original organizers, Mary K. Hartman, said this is the 22nd year of the event. Back in its heyday, up to 600 horses would prance, trot and leap around a nearby, larger track.
On Sunday, about 50 horses in the competition poked their heads out of stalls lined near the show ring.
Some were kicking the half-wooden doors or warming their flanks before their afternoon competition.
Everson was standing near Tatiana and three other horses, ranging in age and ability, that she and her partner Eric Antman brought from Majestic Farms in San Marcos. Their stalls were covered in a regal-red cloth with gold detailing. Competition ribbons of all colors hung on a corner.
Near Tatiana, a world champion was prepping for her moment in the spotlight.
LCS Ice Princess, at 25, is the Carriage Driving queen. Next to her was a black two-wheeled carriage that she and her owner, Pat Gesler, would take into the ring momentarily.
Gesler remembers a time when all 134 stalls were filled, when gas and lodging weren't as expensive. She estimates that it costs California riders between $300 to $500 for gas, food and lodging for the weekend event.
"It's economics," she said. "But we all still have fun."
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