California State Horsemen hold Trail Trial Championships in Bear Valley

George Stufflebeam.

Equestrians head out on Bear Valley's beautiful trails to be judged on their skills and abilities guiding their horses through natural-type obstacles while enjoying a gorgeous day for the CSHA Trail Trial State Champion Event.

The weekend of Sept. 21 and 22 saw 62 horse and rider teams from throughout California and Nevada gather at the Bear Valley Equestrian Center for the California State Horsemen's Association (CSHA) Trail Trials 2024 State Championship Event.

Avid trail riders competed for beautiful awards and bragging rights as California State Champions after two days of competition, riding up to seven miles a day while encountering different challenging obstacles throughout Bear Valley. Numerical scores were assigned by experienced judges at each obstacle with riders vying for a score of zero. Low scores determined the winners.

Trail Trials are not a timed event. The emphasis is on safe and calm horsemanship with riders judged on their skills and abilities guiding their horses through natural obstacles, such as stepping over logs, opening a gate or maneuvering through a creek. Divisions are offered for novice, intermediate and advanced riders in three age divisions, and all equines are welcome, including mules.

Lori Cleveland, Trail Trial MVP Historian, said, "The Trail Trial Champion Event has not been hosted by Southern California regions in many years. Bear Valley Springs had the perfect combination of terrain, great camping and friendly people. We loved it! The trails and weather were fantastic and the campground and friendly folks that welcomed us to the community were terrific!"

The California State Horsemen's Association was formed in 1942 to foster interest in all breeds of horses and forms of horsemanship throughout California. The organization offers many different types of events for equestrians. For more information visit http://www.californiastatehorsemen.org/.