Equestrians wow local crowds

A gray-and-white Andalusian horse with a silky mane galloped around the arena at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center as onlookers applauded its grace and showmanship during the 10th Annual Fiesta of the Spanish Horse on Sunday.

But the equestrian showcase didn’t stop there.

Hundreds of Spanish-bred horses and their owners participated in the annual event, which raises funds for cancer research.

“I think people are all 100% into helping us with our cause,” fiesta director Joanne Asman said. “Everybody is here to help, if not with funds, but to raise awareness and let people know there are [cancer] survivors, and you can get through it.”

About 5,000 people attended the four-day event, which featured a variety of equines including the Peruvian Paso, Andalusian and Paso Fino, Asman said.

The horses and their riders took part in a series of competitions. Show participants competed for ribbons and recognition, while horse lovers came out to see the animals in action.

Merlene Sutalo of Temecula brought her 11 Peruvian Pasos to the event. She watched the competitors in the arena and waited for her husband to come out to compete with one of their horses.

“We’ve been coming here since they started,” Sutalo said, adding that Peruvian Pasos are a rare breed, and that there are 15,000 to 20,000 in the United States.

Santa Barbara resident Dan Dagget, a former horse owner, resisted the temptation to make a deal to buy a horse from the equestrian center.

Dagget came out to see his favorite breed and support a good cause.

“I love Andalusian horses,” he said. “They are the most beautiful and personable horses. We are glad to give to the cause, but we are here for the horses.”

Horse show competitor Louise Clarke was one of several Peruvian Paso owners who took part in the performance division.

Clarke, a Santa Barbara resident, waited her turn to ride 12-year-old Aniversaria, a Peruvian Paso.

“I just want a championship,” Clarke said as she watched the Peruvian horses run, stomp their feet and obey the commands of their riders.

Trainer Enrique Subausde of the Santa Ynez Valley came to the show with his ranch. Subausde, a native of Peru, trains Peruvian-bred horses.

On Sunday, Subausde, who wore riding boots, a cowboy hat and a poncho, waited his turn to compete in the breeding division.

He would be riding Solesombra, a 6-year-old Peruvian horse.

“We have horses that qualify for different divisions,” he said. “It’s a nice event because you get to see different breeds.”