Castle Country Riders is a dedicated gymkhana group in Ione, California that is active District 27 of the California Gymkhana Association. Gymkhana is an action packed sport consisting of timed skill and speed events on horseback. We run bi-monthly shows, rain or shine, consisting of a rotating schedule of 13 different events at the Howard Park covered arena in Ione, California. We operate a snack bar, serving breakfast to specialty menus of excellent fare and beverages, in a family atmosphere and with vendors attending shows. All participants are welcome with special emphasis by district members available to help new riders to the sport. Our show season runs from November through April, primarily during the inclement weather months of the year when you can't ride anywhere else outdoors. We give out daily prizes to 1st through 5th place and High Point and Reserve awards in all 7 horse and pony divisions in addition to Lead-Liners and you may accumulate points toward our year end standings. Thousands of dollars are spent on super prizes for riders each season. Points are also sent to the CGA for year end awards on a statewide level. Gymkhana divisions are designed to allow any rider from beginner to hall of famer to participate and win. During the season we run our Annual Castle Country Challenge Buckle Series where riders compete for Custom Trophy Buckles and other specialty series awards. Come on out to ride or just come to watch the action. Spectators and parking are always free. Visit us at www.cga27.com for information, show schedules, pictures, and contact information.

We were recently sent this information on these two horses and wanted to pass it along. The current owner wants them to have a good home, so she is giving them away. Please respond to her directly, see info below.

The info below is from the current owner:

Sailor: Registered TB Gelding, hunter jumper training.  16.1hh, approx 10yrs old.  Very sweet and smart, requires intermediate rider. I worked him for a year on confidence with jumping and is jumping 3-4 ft and loving it.  He still needs work on his lines and pacing up to jumps.  He is more high strung/ energetic, but has a very good heart.  He has had a lot of time on trails, and has only spooked a few times in all the time on trails.

Bentley:  Registered TB Gelding, great on trails, mello disposition, will need front shoes.  6 yrs old this year, Registered as Clever Commander (sold for almost half a million as a yearling), 16.3hh. Very mellow and sweet disposition.  He has had a lot of time on trails as well and has never spooked.  He has had a lot of basic and ground manner training.  He his a good eventing horse prospect, but will require shoes.

I would really like them to go to a home together where they could be used to their full potential.  I have put a lot of training into them and hate seeing it go to waste.  These were both racetrack rescues from the kill buyers and I want to make sure they never get put in that situation again.  If I were not in a position to have to get rid of them I would not, but at this point I just want them in a loving home. I am giving them away, as long as it's a good home.

Jessica Roth 
530-503-9098
530-957-5381
jpuppie@hotmail.com

If you haven't visited your local feed store lately, you'll be surprised that many of them sell more than just hay and grain. Many of our local feed stores have great gift items for the horse enthusiast. From Breyer Horses, books, boots, jackets, purses, wallets, to a variety of decorations for the home; you'll be sure to find something for everyone. So this year, when you don't want to travel to a mall, or buy the "usual" gift item, go to the feed store and check it out. Don't forget gifts for the doggies and kitties in your life too.

Click here to see our listings for feed stores in the Placerville and surrounding areas. (Be sure to tell them you saw their ad on the Equine Directory Online website.)

Come out and get in the holiday spirit and support The Grace Foundation with a Cowboy Christmas. Click on the graphic below for complete information.

Cowboy Christmas at Grace Foundation