California Hoofbeats: Colic Drama and the Mysterious Stall
Monday, February 08 2016
By Susan Friedland-Smith When I was a little girl, I kept asking God for a horse. It took many years before that prayer was answered, but at the age of 15 I finally was granted my request when I got my first horse, a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding named Daytona. Flash forward decades and I
- Published in Weekly Feature
Tiz a Celebrity Sighting
Wednesday, January 06 2016
By Susan Friedland-Smith Living in Southern California, once in awhile I cross paths with notable individuals. Like the time I saw Kobe Bryant at my fitness center working out. Another time I was shopping and I kept looking at a fellow shopper, a woman I was convinced I knew. I couldn’t quite place her, but
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
The Joys of Showing: A Rusty Rider and a Green Ex-Racehorse
Friday, September 11 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith I admit I thought, “What did I get myself into? Why did I buy a green ex-racehorse?” when I took my off-the-track Thoroughbred, Tiz A Knight, to our first schooling show at the end of May. My otherwise quiet gelding would not stand at the mounting block, pranced around at the in-gate,
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
My Ride with the Law (at Rolex!)
Tuesday, June 30 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d ever have the chance to ride the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course during the “Best Weekend All Year” in April! Especially since I’ve had my horse for less than a year and I’m not an eventer. (Details, details!) Thanks to the
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Pipe Stalls Offer Great Views in California
Thursday, June 18 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith Question: When is a barn not a barn? In the United Kingdom when you go to ride horses at the “yard”? Or perhaps when you’re a home renovator who turns a legitimate horse barn into a house for humans? (I shudder at the thought!) Answer: Definitely when you live in Southern California
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Eventer Barb Crabo and Eveready II
Wednesday, May 06 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith When the high school bell rang signaling the end of the day, a young Barb Crabo, backpack in tow, bolted from the classroom and sprinted across the sports field where a bus driver was keeping an eye out for her. If he saw her running, he’d wait for the budding equestrian whose
- Published in Weekly Feature
Having a Go at Playing Polo
Thursday, April 09 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith My first real-life exposure to polo took place when I was a teenager and somehow my non-horsey parents acquired tickets to a match at Oakbrook Polo Club outside Chicago. My impressions were that I’d love to gallop on that immense green field and the audience was dressed to the nines. I’d never
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
How I Met My Knight in Shining Horseshoes
Monday, January 26 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith Happy horse-filled days are here again! After kissing several frogs, I found my tall, dark and handsome perfect equine match! The path that led to my new horse was long and arduous, sharing characteristics with the dating path that led me to my husband. During the months of searching and the emotional
- Published in General, Sidelines Spotlight
A Tale of Two Horse Shows
Monday, January 19 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith It was the best of times and … the best of times for fans of equestrian competition in Southern California during the last quarter of 2014 as downtown Los Angeles hosted the inaugural Los Angeles Masters Grand Prix and, 85 miles away in Riverside County, the Galway Downs International Event (CCI***) occurred. Both
- Published in Weekly Feature
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