GET INSPIRED - 2014 Portuguese Bend National Horse Show Sept 5-7 (updated 9/8)

This annual charity horse show is a WIN-WIN for artists! You can get super close to horses and riders for all sorts of life drawing/sketching practice in a BEAUTIFUL, shaded, amenity-filled environment. PLUS -- every penny you spend at the event goes to support Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Free parking all 3 days-- admission is free on Friday -- $5 admission fee on Saturday and Sunday.

Here's link to website with calendar of events for the 2014 show:
http://www.pcch.net/index.php/horseshow/

Saturday featured appearance by the Santa Fe West Hills Hunt http://www.santafehunt.com/Welcome.html, a Master of Fox Hounds Association recognized Hunt located in Temecula. No foxes with this group, just happy pups and riders enjoying a group riding tradition. Not every day you see riders and hounds in LA County .. and this close:

more jumpers in the ring on Saturday ...

  

and lots to see up close behind the scenes ...

This show excellent place to get photo reference of horses in action ....

When you enter the showgrounds .. you walk RIGHT BY the temporary stables..

on your way to the striped entry tent ...

There is limited bench seating .. and lots of grass on the shady knoll overlooking the ring (bring your own blanket)
Here's the knoll on Friday ... (the stands and knoll fill up on Sat and Sun)

You can watch events in the main arena  .. and in the warm-up rings ..

There are tents nearby with food and shopping ...

here's a rare shot of the kids tickets table without a line ... it just takes a few tickets to enjoy an array of attractions ..

games, shows and activities like face painting ...

old-fashioned fun like pony rides and a petting zoo.

This tent had prizes for every player ...

net a duckie and flip it over to see what level of prize you won ...

and let's not forget the big kids .. there was quite a crowd on Saturday enjoying the sports pub and football game on TV!!

 Here are more sample shots from previous years shows ...

and a link to 2011 post on the blog with some samples of the fun:
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/1-day-until-horse-show-sept-9-11.html

Be sure to attend! It's worth the trip!!!