Portuguese Bend affair is not joust another...

Portuguese Bend affair is not joust another horse show.

Elegant English-style horseback riders wearing breeches and shiny boots will rub shoulders with jousting medieval knights in Rolling Hills Estates on Saturday.

It’s not quite what one expects at a classic horse show, but it’s all a part of the weekend’s entertainment as the 33rd annual Portuguese Bend National Horse Show unfolds at the Empty Saddle Club today through Sunday. The event is the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s major fund-raiser for Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

In competition that carries a top rating from the American Horse Show Assn., riders from preteen to adults will vie for honors in horsemanship ranging from jumping for speed and height to striving for perfect form as they take their horses over fences or guide them through the walk, trot and canter.

Leading a lineup of weekend entertainment, knights from Medieval Times in Buena Park, wearing full armor and bright colors, will joust early Saturday afternoon. Among Sunday’s attractions will be precision riding by the 50-member Long Beach Mounted Police unit on palominos and gymnastics performed on moving horses by youngsters from the Rainbow Vaulters.

Show organizers say this mixture of keenly competitive horsemanship and colorful equestrian entertainment is designed to please both horse experts and casual spectators.

“We’re bringing very fine quality horses and fine quality riders,” show chairman Jody Murdock said. “Everyone, whether they’re knowledgeable about horses or not, will have entertaining events they can enjoy seeing.”

Murdock said some of the most exciting riding of the weekend will be provided by youngsters competing in the Horsemanship Medal Finals of the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Assn. Focused on riding skills in the walk, trot and canter as well as jumping, the event is open to children 14 and younger who have won blue ribbons at other horse shows in the state.

“The top young riders in the state are coming from Sacramento to San Diego,” said Carole Diestel, president of the peninsula support committee for Childrens Hospital. She said 55 youngsters have qualified for the event.

Devotees of fast riding over jumps will be able to get their thrills in Gambler’s Choice, in which horses and riders must clear up to 12 fences in a specified period of time. Points are based on the difficulty of the jump.

And at the opposite end of the equestrian spectrum, an event called Leadline will spotlight children under the age of 8. “We dress them up, put them on the back of a horse and lead them in. It’s their introduction to the horse, and many parents regret that later on,” said Murdock in a joking reference to the time and expense a horse can entail.

A special demonstration of horsemanship will be given by youngsters from the Pony Club of Portuguese Bend, where South Bay children care for horses and take riding lessons.

And in one of the more unusual events at the show, people will be able to see Peruvian Pasos in action. These small horses have been bred for centuries to carry their heads high and move rapidly, without bouncing, in a kind of scurrying motion.

If youngsters feel a need for a little distraction from horses during the show, they may visit the Kids Korral, where the attractions will include the Jim Gamble Marionettes and Willie the Clown, along with pony rides, face painting, crafts, games and contests.

The horse show--which takes its name from its one-time home at the historic Vanderlip stables in Portuguese Bend--has grown over the years. A decade ago, about 2,000 people attended the show, but this weekend, the number is expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000.

Church and school parking lots in the Empty Saddle area will be used to accommodate cars, with shuttle buses going to and from the riding club between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Diestel said several donors cover the show’s costs, permitting low food and admission prices and larger proceeds for the hospital. Last year, a total of $156,000 was raised.

About 100 volunteers are the backbone of the show, including the 40 active members of the hospital support committee and their families. Volunteers put up the blue and white striped tents that serve as booths. They spread and rake the sawdust for the show rings. During the show, they will cook and sell hamburgers and hot dogs, along with cold drinks, coffee, salad and fruit.

Two weekends ago, volunteer workers descended on the Empty Saddle Club, where they made repairs and painted fences white and trash cans green.

“We need it to look real great for our show,” said Ann Boyt, a show co-chair, adding that the show is a “tremendous effort” on the part of everyone who pitches in.

What: Portuguese Bend National Horse Show.

Where: Empty Saddle Club, 39 Empty Saddle Road, Rolling Hills Estates.

When: Today, 8 a.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. (Events determine conclusion.)

Admission: Adults, $2 today; $3 Saturday; $5 Sunday. Children 4 to 6, $2.

Information: 375-1861; 833-5201.