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Chatsworth residents will join the equestrian community for the ninth annual Day of the Horse celebration 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Sunday, April 22, at , 10861 Andora Ave.
The event is being held by the and is co-sponsored by Councilman Mitchell Englander’s office. Members of the local will be volunteering their services to provide BBQ lunch to all the visitors.
Equestrians from the local community and from all over Southern California will
provide exhibitions of riding disciplines including dressage, endurance riding, equestrian performances set to music, and jumping. and will both participate at the event with demonstrations of therapeutic horseback riding.
A special tribute to the American Flag featuring the choir from will start off the day.
The Los Angeles Animal Services Rescue Team will demonstrate their rescue techniques for large animals.
Councilman Mitch Englander will have a few words to say at about 2 p.m., but he'd better who wants to throw him in the hoosegow. Maybe someone will bail him out with the proceeds going to the Chatsworth Historical Society.
Dozens of vendors and craftspeople will be on-site to provide an array of local handmade items and to distribute information on various equestrian programs in the Valley.
“Chatsworth has a strong equestrian heritage. Many of the old time western films and television series were filmed in our hills. This event gives the community a chance to share our love of horses together, whether you have a horse or not,” said Mary Kaufman, chairperson of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council Equestrian Committee.
Cary Languevin, a long time Day of the Horse volunteer and Chatsworth resident, shared his thoughts about some of the past Day of the Horse events: “The best part about this event is bringing the horses to the kids in the community. Kids are what this whole thing is about, and that’s why we are all here volunteering to make this day happen.”
Activities for children include pony rides, a stick-horse race, and craft projects, all provided free of charge.
“The goal here is to educate the community about the benefits of horsekeeping and to let them in on one of Chatsworth’s treasures, it’s Western heritage,” said Susan Eskander, state director of the National Barrel Horse Association and owner with husband Bart of the boarding stable.
Ride With Pride’s executive director, Bill Updegraff, said, “Because of Ride with Pride’s commitment to the Chatsworth community, we are glad to help..."
"Ride with Pride provides quality recreational and therapeutic horseback riding lesson to clients with disabilities," he said. "We are also providing Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy to veterans. This service is free to the veterans as they have already served our country. Ride with Pride will have an information booth at Day of the Horse, so please stop by for more information on these programs or how to volunteer.”
