The 2008 Trail Blazer Festival took place at the Earl
Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara California,
November 14-16, 2008. Santa Barbara is called the
“American Riviera” and is a lush, sun-drenched seaside
city between Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.
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The Festival had many speakers, exhibits and other events. One of the events participated in by Rocky Mountain, Paso Fino, American Saddlebred, Icelandic, Kiger Mustang, Mangalarga Marchador, Moragan, Arabian, Mustang, Quarter, Peruvian, and Tennessee Walker horses was the “Battle of the Breeds” which was a unique trail competition held between a select group of horses that were nominated by the participating breeds. The competition involved a wide array of obstacles and circumstances that would test the true trail skills and manners of a trail horse. The course was done very professionally and in a safe manner. There was a judge at each obstacle – you will recognize two of the judges: John Lyons and Linda Tellington-Jones.
Friday Evening was the Adult Competition beginning at 6:00 p.m. – a group of Paso Fino owners from the Antelope Valley drove up to Santa Barbara to see the Friday night event, and to cheer on our own Jennifer Fisher. As we waited for each of the 12 breed of horses to be called to the start of the competition and for the winners’ scores and time to be computerized we prayed for our beloved breed to come out on top. Alas, third place a Peruvian, second place a Quarter and first place our Grand National Champion Trail Horse, La Suena de Cardinal owned and ridden by Jennifer Fisher of Clovis, California, was announced. Our cheers rattled the entire arena and we are bursting with pride at the wonderful accomplishments of this pair.
On to Saturday evening which was the Youth Competition. Taking part in the youth portion of the event were 8 breeds: Peruvian, Quarter, Mangalarga Marchador, Tennessee Walker, Arabian, Rocky Mountain, Appy, and Paso Fino horses. Although we were not present we waited with baited breath to find out how our Paso Fino entry did in the youth competition. Sunday morning - amazingly wonderful news. Our 11 year old youth rider, Madeleine Fischbein of Ojai, California, aboard Clypso an 18 year old gelding owned by Susan Osborn of Auberry, California, took first place in the youth competition. Maddy got to ride around the arena hand-in-hand with the famous John Lyons. Now isn’t that something to be proud of!!!!!!! Clypso is also the California State Horseman’s Association Trail Trials Champion for 2008.
So, our wonderful breed has shown the West what we really can do and we are so very proud of both riders.
Bea Fedor
