Riding options aplenty this summer
“The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.”
—Arabian Proverb
Drille Divas
The Web site will either make one wonder what one is getting into, or provide an instant connection with the eclectic group of women involved. (The Web site’s caption boasts “Every woman deserves a tiara and a whip!”)On a more serious side, however, this group of riders gets together every week to dance with horses. Diva Master Sherie Levine oversees routines and takes novices as well as experienced riders to a place of equine synchronized wonder. The Divas are a venue for fundraising events to benefit causes such as Camp Hope, designed for survivors of domestic violence and child abuse, at Lake Sutherland and, most recently, the American Cancer Society.
The group provides a fun (yet intense) and unique way to bring people together for causes beyond the reining realm. For more information about joining, participating in one of the many events planned by the Divas or simply donating to the charities sponsored by their events, call Levine at 760-789-6350 or go to the Web site at www.drillediva.com.
Rhythm Riders Junior Drille Team
—aka Divas in Training—also meets weekly.Cornerstone Therapeutic Riding Center
Located at Creek Hollow Ranch, Cornerstone Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals living with disabilities. Offering traditional therapeutic riding in a “true ranch environment with abundant wildlife and access to hundreds of acres of trails,” Cornerstone is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. For more information on therapeutic riding or the center, call 760-789-4875 or visit the Web site at www.CornerstoneTRC.org.International Equestrian Center
International Equestrian Center is at 16911 Gunn Stage Road in San Diego Country Estates. Shows are open to the public and are usually held at least once a month. Teri Brown, equestrian center manager, encourages the public to come out and watch, or call the center at 760-789-3407 for more information about participating. Equine facilities are available for day use at the center.Ramona Trails Association
Also a nonprofit organization, Ramona Trails Association serves the public interest in trails and parks for equestrian and non-equestrian trail users. Concern this year is the state budget crisis, which threatens to close state parks. A Save Our Parks effort is under way, with more information at www.calparks.org/takeaction.
For more information about Ramona Trails Association, go to www.ramonatrails.org or call Cheryl Wegner at 760-788-0354 or club president Teri Hamilton at 760-789-5185.
San Vicente Saddle Club
Meetings are the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Rotunda at the International Equestrian Center. For more information, contact club president Randy Macrostie at 760-789-7665 or go to www.sanvicentesaddleclub.com.
Del Mar Fairgrounds
Professional Bull Riding will be July 25-26 at the Del Mar Invitational. The Bull Poker and Cowboy Teeter-Totter is an invitation to see who will be brave enough to remain seated long enough to win the Bull Poker game? Can the four cowboys on the teeter-totter jump fast enough to stay out of harm’s way?
It’s race season again! For information about Del Mar horse racing, go to www.delmarracing.com or call the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club at 858-755-1141.
Dixie Pettit is a Ramona resident and equestrian. Anyone wanting to include information about an equestrian event or group in her Hoofbeats column may e-mail her at dixiepettie@cox.net.