2015 February PASO Magazine

HOofbeat
By Dorothy
Rogers
Those of us who love living on
the Central Coast experience the
blessings of renewal especially as we
begin the recovery process from one
of our many droughts. It takes far
longer than we would like as well as
planning and some judicious use of
our water resources as we continue to
pray and give praise for rain.
There is an extra holiday this
month for potential riding so check
out some of the Hoofbeat Trail
Tales to ride. Send your own update
on the trails and conditions, but
please think ahead and stay off of wet
trails to avoid erosion. This year the
first foals will be bounding about in
green pastures by the time PRM is in
your hands.
Cut But Don’t Run
Plan on at least one day to head
to the Paso Events Center for
the first cutting competition and
show of 2015. You might want to
mark your new calendars or enter
February 6-8 on your electronics.
You’ve got to love her; Greg Wyatt
and his mare “Imathenalena” (bred by
Cathie Twisselman of Madonna Ranch)
were passionate about cutting. The
first 2015 Saddle Series Cutting is set
for Feb. 21 at Madonna Ranch in SLO.
Spectators are admitted free.
Photo by Midge Ames
Cheer on your favorites or visit
with other horse folks during the
locally based event. We have some
terrific cutters in residence here,
so don’t let the term “local” deter
you from attending.
Top competitors and their
horses will be at the gate.
There will also be novices who can
share their journeys and adventures
with you should you be interested
in getting started with cutting.
There are 16 classes from ranch
to professional that will test you
and your horse’s skills and talent
vying against fresh cattle. Instructors
will be on hand to
meet. They can guide you to start
learning and perhaps one day to
reach your potential.
High School Rodeo
District 7 from Ventura through
SLO Counties sees talented and
giving adults leading the team.
The western way of independence
as well as supporting a
community is found in the teams.
Each of the members must supply
his/her own equipment, horse,
transportation, expenses, etc. in
order to compete at a variety of
rodeos. If parents are not able to
do this on their own, some members
work while maintaining
scholarship level, attend practices
to improve and travel to various
events. A few assist in passing on
the tradition to younger students
when time permits.
King City’s team at District 4
will host our District 7 and District
6 February 13-15. Cow horse
competitors will be in the arena
Friday Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. Friday
afternoon the ACBRA sanctioned
barrel race is on. There will be a
jackpot at 7 p.m., a silent auction
and a dance on Saturday evening.
Ask your local high school
teacher for specific information on
where to donate time, money or
items to help support these young
people in their efforts. Best of all,
when you learn of an event locally,
show up for a hour or so and cheer
them on. You could change a life.
USEA Champion
Cindy Ramirez-Smith, resident
trainer and manager at Vulcan
Mesa Ranch of Atascadero
has been named USEA Area VI
Adult Rider Novice Division
Champion riding “Carina HGF.”
The dynamic pair also earned their
El Premio de Merito award for
garnering 200 performance points
in recognized USEF recognized
competitions.
Get Started in a New
Relationship
Ray Berta is part of an old
Please see HOOFBEAT page 45
44 Paso Robles Magazine, February 2015