Click here to check out a gallery of clinic photos on the VC Vaqueros Facebook page!

The Valley Center Vaqueros Equine Educational Foundation will host a series of horsemanship clinics in March and April.
The local horsemanship group is excited to offer these clinics to the public at a cost of $5 per family per clinic, or $10 per family for the entire day. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy between sessions.
The clinics will take place at the Valley Center Vaqueros Equestrian Park, located at the corner of Lilac Rd. and Valley Center Rd. The grounds open at 9 a.m. each day of the clinics, and the first sessions begin at 10 a.m.
The first clinic takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, and is hosted by Margit Deerman and Cindi Gianinni. These instructors will present a demonstration of Parelli Natural Horsemanship that is designed to help trainers and their horses achieve the desired behavioral results with as little stress on the horse as possible.
Deerman is a third degree licensed Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructor and Gianinni is a first degree
junior instructor. Deerman offers clinics and lessons at her M&M Ranch here in Valley Center, while
Gianinni owns and operates Savvy Stables, where she offers lessons and boarding. Deerman can be reached at www.margitdeerman.com or (760) 749-2129 and Gianinni at www.savvystables.com or (760) 751-2073.
The second session on Saturday takes place from 1–3 p.m. and features a demonstration of Driving Training by local trainer Julie Picot.
Picot trains and gives lessons in driving, dressage, hunt seat and western riding. She can be reached at (619) 884-3982 or by e-mail at jewels92040@yahoo.com.
Sunday’s clinics begin again at 10 a.m., and the first session, which lasts until noon, features a presentation by local veterinarian Dr. Linda Byer.
Dr. Byer’s demonstration on basic care is titled, “When to call the vet.” She is an active sponsor of the Valley Center Vaqueros, and writes an article for the monthly Vaqueros newsletter, Nickers and Neighs.
She is a Vaqueros board member and dedicated supporter of the new Valley Center Large Animal Safety Team (LAST). Dr. Byer’s email is lindabyerdvm@sbcglobal.net and she can be called at (760) 751-0807 for appointments.
On Sunday from 1–3 p.m., Sabrina Kahoutek will give a demonstration on Equissage.
Kahoutek teaches and does hands-on application of equissage, which is short for equine massage. She will work with two horses from the audience, to be arranged prior to demonstration date. Anyone interested in taking part in this demonstration should phone ahead for space reservation at (760) 473-9893. Her Web site is www.sabrinaequissagecalifornia.com/
The next series of clinics will be held on April 2–3 at the Vaqueros Equestrian Park, once again at a fee of $5 per family per clinic or $10 per family for the entire day.
The first clinic on April 2 runs from 10 a.m. to noon and features a presentation on trail and endurance riding by local endurance rider Heidi Helly.
Helly is the three-time Regional Featherweight Endurance Champion for 2005, 2008 and 2009 with her horse, Andreti, a Legion of Honor recipient. She has been riding for over twenty years and has logged over 7,000 miles in endurance riding.
This seminar will provide information on trail riding for pleasure or how to achieve your endurance goals, and everything in between. A variety of saddles, tack and accessories will be available to look at and try out, so attendees are encouraged to bring their horses along. There will also be an opportunity to discuss nutritional and conditioning needs and tips on camping with your horse. Helly will be happy to evaluate your saddle needs, and will have horses available for trying on saddles. She can be reached at (760) 749-4063 or by e-mail at vchorsegal@aol.com.
The second session on April 2 will run from 1–4 p.m. and will feature a presentation by Tom Kemp of the Escondido Mounted Posse, who will bring obstacles for sensory training.
Kemp will discuss desensitization of horses and mules for use in parades, etc. He has had experience in working with posse and parade animals for this purpose. Guests are welcome to bring your manageable and “relatively safe” horse to this event to work on sensitizing and desensitization, but the Vaqueros must be sure to keep this a safe activity while exposing animals to new things. For info please contact Tom Kemp by e-mail at goatowner@yahoo.com.
On April 3, the first clinic runs from 10 a.m. to noon and features a demonstration of Natural Balance Hoof Care by farrier Gina Rice.
Rice will work on two horses from the audience with arrangements made before the demonstration. She can be reached at (760) 716-2098 or by e-mail at ginafindyourhouse@cox.net to reserve a space.
The second clinic on April 3 will run from 1–3 p.m. and will be a trail obstacle practice, so guests should bring their horses to take part in the event. Anyone who would like to donate an obstacle to the club is encouraged to call Lorelei Jones at (760) 751-2284.
For more information, visit the Vaqueros’ Web site at www.valleycentervaqueros.com/ or check out the group's Facebook page here.