Lake Riverside Estate Equestrian Center was christened well at its Grand Opening earlier this fall, a dream come true for area residents. The grand opening festivities featured three informative and interesting equestrian-related speakers and demonstrations. King Feed representative Sandy Burnet, a nutritional expert, spoke on horse nutrition; a backpacking demonstration was given by Redshank Riders Mike Lewis, Stacy Kuhn, Audrey and Tim Turpin; and third, a dressage demonstration by Denise Nelson-Finster of Dann Sporthorses.

Local vendors of various kinds were out to help draw in the crowds and offer their wares and services. There was food and raffles to the delight of the crowd.

One of the goals of the Lake Riverside Estate Equestrian Center committee is to hold clinics of all kinds at the center. Their first clinic will be a Horsemanship Clinic on Nov. 10. Sean Martin of Martin Performance Horses is conducting the clinic. Space is limited to 10 participants at $100 for the whole day. A few spaces are still available so call Shelley Grier at (951) 813-9681 to enter.

Demonstrators and speaker information:

King Feed representative and nutritional expert Sandy Burnet from Garner Valley was the first speaker teaching on nutrition and feeding. She was also a vendor representing not only King feed but Kensington horse blankets and other products. She was handing out various samples of King Feed specially formulated for different needs of livestock and pets and passing out doses of wisdom. If you are having feeding issues, she is very knowledgeable and can be reached by calling (949) 300-3255 or emailing Sandra@hearneco.com. To learn more, visit Kings’ website at www.king-brand.com.

Red Shank Riders demonstrated packing your horse. The club is not only a riding club but they spend many hours of community service maintaining, marking and opening trails in the area’s mountains. Membership not Advertisement

[ The Tutoring Center ] only gives the opportunity to be involved in club projects but also in club fun, such as their Treasure Hunt Rides and Poker Rides; one is coming up on Nov. 18.

"Everyone is always welcome here (in the club), there is always something you can do, even if it is just making sandwiches," said Club President Stacy Kuhns.

To learn more, check them out, or read their newsletter, visit www.redshankriders.com. You can also contact Carol Schmuhl at (951) 663-6763; she is in charge of new membership and has all the answers.

Denise Nelson-Finster demonstrated and explained about the art of dressage. Denise is a local Anzanite, and the owner and head trainer of Dann Sporthorses. She has many accomplishments: she is a U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze and Silver Medalist; she competes at the Intermediare 1 level and is training with Kathleen Reine, a 1996 Olympic Bronze medalist; her Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Mount has won multiple championships and is now retired and available for private FEI Lessons; she teaches and is the head coach for Scholastic Equestrian Teams, for Hamilton High here in Anza as well as in Palm Desert.

Nelson-Finster is one of the few dressage trainers who will teach children. Denise points out that, whether you use her experienced horses for lessons or your own, all horsemen and horses can benefit from learning the basics of dressage.

"Most natural horsemen ride like a dressage rider, they use their seat and legs," said Denise. Her lesson rates are extremely reasonable. Learn more about her at www.hotbloods.com or call to schedule a lesson for Anza area residents at (951) 972-2653. To learn more about dressage, go to the USDF website www.usdf.org and for more information about FEI go to www.fei.org.