Welcome JC!

Congratulations to Kristen and welcome to her new horse Japanese Comet, or "J.C." After an extensive search for a new event horse, Kristen tried 5 year old ex-racehorse JC in Northern California. The pair clicked instantly and now JC is enjoying the desert while Kristen begins his schooling over jumps. Good luck Kristen and JC!

Welcome Santos!

Congratulations to Amanda and welcome to Santos! Amanda met Santos at this year's Extremem Mustang Makeover in Norco, CA, while she was there grooming for Cindy and Wyatt. After the Makeover, Santos was adopted at auction by another Moronogo Basin resident. When she was unable to keep Santos, Amanda stepped in and adopted the 3 year old BLM mustang as her own. Santos is now in training with Amanda and Cindy and is doing well and learning new things. Amanda and Santos were in the Yucca Valley Town Grubstakes Days Parade in May, will be participating in the MBHA Pony Express this October, and hope to start their show career soon. Good Luck Amanda and Santos!

Karen & Jesster's First Ride

Congratulations to Karen on her very first ride on her horse Jesster! Jesster came to YVEC a recently gelded adult Arabian who had never been ridden. In trianing with Cindy since his arrival, Jesster has been making great progress on his saddle training while Karen has been honing her riding skills on her other lovely horse, Palo. On Saturday, April23rd, Karen got to ride Jesster for the very first time! They pair stayed with walking around the arena until they get to know one another better, but they did a good job for their first time!

Apple Valley gets a new "Starr"

Congratulations to Brenda Waddington of Apple Valley on her purchase of Starr Struckk, also known as "Sissy". The Arab mare takes her place as a 'horse about town', trail riding and receiving all the pampering she can handle. We wish them fun and luck!

New to the Morgan Barnhold

Congratulations to Capt. Bill and Helen Morgan on their purchase of McGuiness, a 6 year old Gypsy Vanner cross. "Mac" will pair with Bill for trail riding at home, and he and Helen are working at YVEC with Cindy on his dressage moves. Good luck and have fun!

Slim takes 3rd place at MBHA "Not So" Extreme Cowboy Race

Debbi Sullivan and GS Sundown Slim came in 3rd place at the Morongo Basin Horsemen's Association "Not So" Extreme Cowboy Race April 10th, 2010. The obstacles at this year's race, held at Geronimo Ranch, were excellent and very similar to the sanctioned Extreme Cowboy Events. Slim and Debbi performed well, ending in a three-way tie for first place in the standings when the horsemanship points were tallied. Race time was the deciding factor that placed the pair in third overall. They look forward to the next competition!

MBHA Race 4/10/10

Slim Plays Well with Others at Cowboy Race Practice

Debbi Sullivan and GS Sundown Slim took part in the California Cowboy Racers Extreme Cowboy Race practice on Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 at Liberty Oaks Ranch in Murrietta.

Suzette White Moves Ahead into New Show Season 2010

Suzette and Tally have started their 2010 show season. Struggling with connection at First Level, they had scores of 55% and 59% in tests 1 and 2 at Dressage Getaway in Thermal on Feb. 13. Spending two days at the Del Mar Horsepark on Mar. 12 and 13 for the Dressage Affaire, they saw an improvement in their scores at First Level: 56%, 61%, 61%, and 62%, good enough for two first place and two third place ribbons, and qualifying them for the 2010 Regional Adult Amateur Championships (RAAC) in August.

Carol Bell takes prize at LA Equestrian Center

Carol Bell, who got her start with her first riding lessons here at YVEC in 2007, won her class at the CRHA Reining Show at the LA Equestrian Center in January, 2010. Congratulations Carol!

YVEC Reiners participate in Willowbrook Show

Cindy Lapp and Debbi Sullivan rode in the reining class at Willowbrook Riding Club's Western Show on October 14th, 2007. Cindy rode Good For Plenty ("Midge") in NRHA pattern 1, and achieved a stellar performance including some of Midge's best slide stops yet.

Debbi Sullivan rode her 3 year old horse G.S. Sundown Slim ("Slim") in this, his very first show, for the experience - and ended up winning the class. Slim continues to improve on his reining moves every day.

Although it became too dark for photos of the actual reining runs, there are a couple of our reining participants in the gallery.

The Mustang Babies clean up in Bishop!

The seventh Annual Wild Horse and Mustang Show in Bishop, CA, was held on September 28 - 29, 2007. YVEC resident mustangs D.H. Callahan and Mustang Kani competed in the show with their owners, Laura and Rich Jaeger and Samantha Olesiak.

Sam and Kani too 3rd in Mare Halter 2 yrs and Under, 1st in In-Hand Trail; with a score of 79%, 1st in In-Hand Barrel Racing, and 2nd in In-Hand Pole Bending. This led to Kani being named Champion High Point In-Hand Pair, and was awarded a leather Western show bridle.

Laura and Cal took 4th in Gelding Halter 2yr and Under, 5th in In-Hand Trail with a score of 74%, and 3rd in In-Hand Pole Bending.

The group was awarded 1st place in the horse Costume Contest (Chain Gang), and 2nd in Barn Decorating (Jail Cells). The mustangs are 1 1/2 years old this year, and were adopted by their owners in October of 2006.

Photos of the event are in the gallery.

Laura Jaeger guides Fern to first place

Owner/trainer Laura Jaeger led Picfernadera to a first place in Dressage Sport Horse In-Hand 2yr Fillies with a score of 70.3% on September 16th in Ramona, CA. In the Championship class, Fern received her second Qualifier for Region 7 finals. Laura also entered the Jr/Amatuer Handler Class and received first place with a score of 74.3%.

Photos in the gallery.

Pickfernadera takes Grand Champion

Fern received Grand Champion American Warmblood Filly 2yrs & Under at the Cool August Night Show on August 26th, 2007. Fern scored 63.2% at this show, which was held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. She also placed 7th in Dressage Sport horse In-Hand 2yr Fillies with a score of 68.6%.

Photos in the gallery.

Pickfernadera ("Fern") earns top marks in Ramona

On July 22, 2007, YVEC resident Fern took first place in Dressage Sport Horse In-Hand 2yr Fillies with a score of 76.4%. at the show in Ramona, California. In the Championship class, she received Qualifier Third Place, which qualifies her for Region 7 finals in Northern California in October. Fern is shown and trained by owner Laura Jaeger.

See her winning photos in the gallery.

YVEC Dressage Riders make strong marks at the Gold Rush Farm Dressage Show in Phelan, CA

Maureen Hartness marked a 56 percent on her adopted mustang, Lord Shelby Fettiplace, on Saturday, July 16th at the High Desert Chapter CDS show in Phelan, CA. This was Shelby's second show, and Maureen's first, and the pair turned in a lovely performance on their Training Level Test 1 in the Adult Amateur Division. Shelby also completed two Training Level Tests in the Open Division, with Cindy aboard, and earned a first place ribbon!

Mr. Gee's Ric a Tic entered two Training Level tests, ridden this time by Katie Tate in her first Dressage Competition. Katie earned a first and second place for her tests.

A large group from YVEC turned out to support Katie and Maureen in their first show, and we are very proud of our riders! We look forward to their next competition.

Photos are in the Gallery.

"Shelby" makes his debut at ECI Rancho Mirage

On May 19th, 2007, YVEC resident and BLM adopted mustang Lord Shelby Fettiplace made his debut in the dressage ring at ECI Rancho Mirage, earing scores in the 60s for his two Training Level tests - high enough to place him first for both tests! "Shelby" was adopted and received his early training from owner Maureen Hartness, and he is now in full dressage training with Cindy at YVEC.

Cindy rode him in this, his first competetion; as well as competing in fourth level classes with her own horse, Mr. Gees Rick a Tic.

Pictures of both horses are in the Gallery.

YVEC Riders compete at Chino Hills Equestrian Park

May 6th, 2007, was a day of very rewarding 'firsts' for Yucca Valley Equestrian Center students. Megan Lay took two first place ribbons at the Hunt Cup Series Show in Chino Hills - not only was this Megan's first time competing in jumper-level classes, it was also the first time she has ever ridden a timed jump-off event. Under her guidance, her mount Spring Fling made all the tight turns necessary to win the classes.

For Caitlin Hendrick's young horse Dan Delany, this was his first show over fences. Dan took ribbons in both hunter and jumper classes, with the highlights being a second place ribbon in a flat class with over 15 participants, and a third in an over-fences class with over 15 participants.

Both riders are looking forward to their next competetions. Pictures in the Gallery.

Cindy and Mr. Gees Rick A Tick compete at ECI Rancho Mirage

Cindy and Rick rode two Fourth-Level Dressage tests at the Dressage Show at ECI Rancho Mirage on March 17th, 2007 (St. Patrick's Day!) . Despite high temperatures the pair did very well, garnering not only good scores but a comment from the judge of "Nice ride!" after the first test!

Cindy participates in George Morris Clinic

On December 19th and 20th, 2006, Cindy was invited to participate in a jumping clinic with reknowned hunter/jumper judge and Olympic Equestrian Team Chef D'Equip George Morris. The Clinic took place at E.C.I. Rancho Mirage, and Cindy rode the YVEC-bred Quarter Horse mare, Summer. Cindy participated in the clinic to gain new insights into teaching and training techniques for her hunter/jumper students, as well as to improve on Summer's performance over fences.

The clinic covered everything from appropriate tack and show-ring dress, to complicated series of gymnastic jumps designed to test and refine even the most advanced horses and riders. It was a fun and educational two days for both spectators and participants, and a high point for Cindy was hearing George Morris comment that Summer, who has just begun her jumping career, was a lovely horse!