Western competitors – pleasure, trail, ranch riding, and reining – have some exciting shows to look forward to! Nine new shows are entering the southern California calendar for 2023.
LEG Shows & Events’ Gold Coast Horse Shows are adding a full slate of western classes to their already popular hunter/jumper circuit. For more than 30 years, the Gold Coast shows have provided a cost-effective, quality showing experience in the Los Angeles area.
“I bought a wonderful Quarter Horse and got involved with ranch riding, reining, and even Western dressage,” says Marnye Langer, CEO of The Langer Group and the organizer behind the Gold Coast series. “I realized there was a lack of shows in the area and a lot of inconsistency. I remember going to shows with my mom when I was little and seeing the jumpers, the pleasure horses, and the working cow horses showing together. Why not recapture some of the fun and excitement of having different styles of riding and horses at the same shows?”
With two terrific facilities where Marnye can conduct the shows, Los Angeles Equestrian Center and Hansen Dam Horse Park, exhibitors can count on easy locations to get to, large arenas, appropriate footing for the various styles of riding, and good stabling. “I know how expensive it has become to show, and I know a lot of people are not in a situation to travel long distances and be away from home for a week at a time,” said Marnye. The Gold Coast shows are affordable and allow juniors and amateurs to show on the weekend and have a great time.
The shows will feature a full complement of Western classes, including pleasure, trail, ranch riding, and reining. These will be in addition to the well-established hunter/jumper portion of the show which will have two hunter and equitation arenas, and one jumper arena.
The nine-show series kicks off with Gold Coast February (Feb. 24-26) at LAEC. The full calendar of shows can be found at www.goldcoasthorseshows.com, along with information for classes, schedules, and entering. Both facilities feature high quality arenas with GGT footing for hunters and jumpers, and sand footing for the western horses.
The Western discipline riders will earn points toward PCHA and World Ranch Horse Association awards and special classes. Hunter/Jumper riders can earn points and medal final qualifications for USEF, USHJA Outreach, PCHA Region 1, and Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association. In addition, LEGIS League Series Awards will be presented during the Gold Coast Finale to Gold Coast series high score riders in a number of categories.
Marnye says, “I don’t care what discipline you ride or what breed of horse you compete on, I want everyone to be safe, kind, and to have fun on their horses!” She looks forward to serving the competitors that are looking for a fun show circuit that provides quality competitions for weekend riders.
For more information, visit the website: www.goldcoasthorseshows.com
By Cheryl Erpelding