Our local RCAHA (Rancho California Arabian Horse Associations) club welcomed riders from all over Southern California to the Spring Sport Horse Show at Galway Downs for 2 days of qualifying competition in Arabian, Half Arabian and Open Breed competition. The Spring show included a full class schedule of In Hand, Sport Horse, Show Hack, Equitation and Western and Classical Dressage. There was a great turn out for our Western Dressage which ran all day Friday in the FEI ring as well as Classical Dressage rides that competed in 2 courts on Saturday.
Day 1 of the show brought unrelenting weather but the riders and horses were just as persistent with everyone staying in good spirits even through the afternoon hail. Sport Horse Under Saddle brought out strong competition in both the Open and Amateur to ride classes in the upper ring while Western Dressage ran until after 5pm. Highlight of the day was the 10 and under equitation class decided by a sit trot-off. Just great young riders!
Day 2 brought much better weather and beautiful Classical Dressage rides throughout the day. Highlights were our competitive juniors who were successful garnering necessary scores. They can now use their Spring show placings and dressage scores toward qualification for the AHA (Arabian Horse Association) Regional Show in June, Youth Nationals in July and Sport Horse Nationals in September.
RCAHA recognizes the local support it takes for our club shows to be successful and would like to thank Galway Downs and all our sponsors, especially our Event Sponsor, Tri Valley Medical Group. We recognize a very dedicated and amazing group of volunteers who work to make the shows run very smoothly. And most especially a very special thanks goes to our RCAHA Board of Directors for their commitment to provide local shows and competitions for our community.
Article submitted by Debra Zickafoose