Just Horsing Around for a Good Cause : Rodeo: All brands of cowpokes were on hand at a new equestrian center in San Juan Capistrano, vying for prizes and raising money for a Santa Ana drug abuse program.

They came from miles around Saturday, even from the real Wild West of Texas, to get a piece of Wild West action in Orange County. They donned cowboy hats and boots, rounded up their horses and trekked to the Creekside Equestrian Center for dirt-raising competition and a good time.

Hundreds of competitors and spectators gathered at the new equestrian complex at San Juan Creek Road for the 11th annual San Juan Capistrano Team Penning Competition, a two-day event to raise money for charity.

“What better way to spend your Saturday?” asked Kelly Riley of Ft. Worth, who competed in one of the penning events. “The camaraderie is terrific. And no matter what your skill level is, you have an opportunity to compete.”

In penning, a team of three riders must separate three cattle from a herd of 30 and drive them into a pen at the other side of the arena. They have 90 seconds to do it.

The competition evolved from everyday ranch work more than a century ago when riders were required to separate cattle for identification, doctoring or shipping to market.

The San Juan Capistrano competition, which began as a fund-raiser for local charities, is one of the largest in the Southwest and attracts riders of all ages and skill levels.

Proceeds from the weekend event will go to the county’s “Drug Use Is Life Abuse” program in Santa Ana.

“It’s such an adventure, “ said Carol Paulsen, a real estate agent from San Juan Capistrano. “It’s such an adrenaline rush. Of all the horse events, I think this is the funnest.”

Paulsen, a competitor of five years, was among 150 who competed for prize money and other awards, including silver buckles, bracelets and spurs. Prize money varies each year depending on the number of entries, but could hit $20,000, as it did last year.

“The best thing is that it appeals to everybody,” said Jack Whitted, a technician from Mission Viejo. “Because of the luck factor with the cows, it’s open to everybody. You can compete with the best and still have a chance to win, that’s what I like about it.”

“This is an event that men and women can compete together on a team,” said Robin Scott, a paralegal from Costa Mesa who was in the stands, cheering on participants.

Scott said other rodeo events such as bronco riding, roping or bull riding require a certain level of strength and balance and have typically been a men’s sport.

This year’s competition marked the official opening of the Creekside Equestrian Center, at 28801 San Juan Creek Road. The sprawling complex will house more than 400 horses, an animal hospital, a child-care center and an equestrian library.

The project was launched several years ago by Dee Dee Gates, wife of Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates, amid some dissent from locals who were concerned about the center’s size.

But Gates said things have been smooth since then.

“I think Creekside lends itself to the area that it’s in,” she said. “We all have an interest in horses, and that’s what we’re here for.”