The 10th annual Fiesta of the Spanish Horse took place at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center during the first weekend of May. This show was started in 1998 as a fundraiser for the fight against cancer, and raises money every year for this worthy cause. This year, there were over 260 horses performing for thousands of spectators—there were 3600 in the audience for the Saturday night Extravaganza alone. Many Spanish breeds were present, including Lusitanos, Andalusians, Peruvian Pasos, Paso Finos, and P.R.E.’s.
In addition to the horse show, there were vendors and Latin music and dancing. A miniature horse, named Dandy, was raffled off and won by Micky McFarland of Santa Barbara. The proceeds from the raffle and a silent auction raised an additional $15,000 on top of the show proceeds for cancer research.
The Saturday Extravaganza included classical dressage, a performance by Medieval Times, trick riding, vaulters, the Hollywood Paso Finos, and many other acts. The highlight was a moving tribute to the cancer survivors who were there, many of whom rode into the arena on horseback.
With so many diversely talented horses, there were a lot of classes to watch and show in at the Fiesta, and most of them were won by owners and riders from California.
Ximango Interagro, owned by Patricia Gay Edwards, took the Andalusian Dressage Suitability Open, the First Level Test One Open, and was second in the First Level Test Two Open with Vaughan Smith. “He’s really a remarkable young horse,” says Patricia of Ximango, a seven-year-old Lusitano. “He’s smart, forward moving, and has a good temperament.” Patricia imported him from Brazil two years ago with the intent to sell him, but so far has kept him because she likes him so much.
“He is a lovely, sensitive, sweet stallion,” put in Patricia’s daughter, Dawne. “Vaughan loves the way he feels. He has turned him into an exceptional horse with a solid disposition. Ximango is the reason we went to Florida for the auction to obtain his half brother that I own. I had to have a Lusitano after experiencing him.” Vaughan is Patricia’s resident trainer. “He’s a great horseman and a wonderful trainer,” she says. He has been highly successful, particularly with Spanish horses, winning many championships for Patricia’s family and others as well. Patricia is a small breeder, but has been breeding Spanish horses for about 25 years. She has been attending the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse for the past five years and plans to continue. She enjoys the show and loves the facility.
Another Andalusian, seven-year-old Movado, showed his versatility by winning first place in Andalusian Traditional Carriage Driving Open, Senior Geldings - 4 Years & Over, Geldings All Ages - Amateur to Handle, Country Pleasure Driving Open, Country Pleasure Driving Amateur, and was Reserve Champion Andalusian Gelding with his owner and breeder, Pat Garrison of Garrison Ranch. In addition, Movado won the Andalusian English Show Hack Open with Vaughan Smith. This was the first time Movado had ever shown in this class.
Movado comes from a long line of driving champions. His sire, Aladdin, was a three time national driving champion, and his sire in turn was also a national champion. Movado is continuing and expanding the tradition, winning many regional, national, and halter futurity championships. He also entertained the crowd during the Saturday night Extravaganza with a driving exhibition.
Pat has been breeding beautiful Andalusian horses since 1971, and began showing them in 1980 at the first Andalusian show in California. She has shown at the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse since its inception 10 years ago. “It’s a lot of fun,” she says of the show. She enjoys watching all the different breeds.
The P.R.E. Champion of Functionality was Valeroso Ex Dandy VII. This class was judged by a judge brought over from Spain. “It was a lot of fun to get the Spanish point of view on the horses,” says Valeroso’s owner and rider, Alexandria Vilardi. The 13-year-old stallion also won the Andalusian Heritage Tack & Attire, English Show Hack Championship, and P.R.E. Stallions 7 Years Old & Over.
Alexandria and Valerie imported Valeroso from Spain five years ago. At that time, he was barely halter broke. Alexandria has done all of his training. She has shown at The Fiesta of the Spanish Horse for several years and usually participates in the Saturday night Extravaganza, but could not this year because she spent the past year touring with The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallion Show and did not have time to prepare. However, she plans to participate again next year.
Bob and Betty Rains had great success in the Paso Fino division. They have operated Rancho Fino in Ojai since 1998, where they breed, raise, and train Paso Finos. At the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse, eight Rancho Fino horses brought home ribbons. “We are naturally proud of all of our winning horses. What we are most proud of is the youth riders we have riding,” says Bob. “They range in age from 9 to 15 years of age and have won several classes and championships.”
Alexandra Palkovic won the Paso Fino Sub-Youth Equitation with Flying M Baronessa and Paso Fino Pleasure Sub-Junior Youth with Flying M Toscana. This mare also won the Paso Fino Performance Mares and Performance Mares & Fillies Championship with Jose Rodriguez and Fino Performance Youth Open with Connor Anderson. On Centauro de Sierra, Connor won the Paso Fino Equitation Junior Youth, Paso Fino Silver Medal Equitation, and Paso Fino Classic Fino Youth. With Ingeniero, he took the Paso Fino Pleasure Junior Youth and Paso Fino Pleasure Junior Championship. Ingeniero also won the Paso Fino Pleasure Stallions and Pleasure Stallions & Colts Championship with Jose Rodriguez.
“As always, Joanne did an outstanding job. We had a lot of people come and everyone had a great time,” reports Bob Rains. His sentiment was echoed by many of the exhibitors and spectators at the Fiesta.
