Horse Show 2016

Southern California coastal weather was icing on the cake of this year's Portuguese Bend National Horse Show. Three days of hunter-jumper events... and lots of family friendly activities.

This show is a premiere sketching opportunity for artists. You can get close up to all the action in a setting that is brimming with all sorts of amenities. The mild temps and seaside breezes make this location superior to most other equine venues.

I wasn't able to stay as long this year.... but here are some highlights.

This life-size fiberglass thoroughbred marks the entrance for the show site at Ernie Howlett Park...

The approach to the park entrance has this mascot.. and signs for the VIP parking for horse trainers and show staff...

Free public parking across the street....

Shuttle buses bring attendees to the show grounds and run frequently throughout the day....

The walk to the admission tent allows a close-up view of the temporary stables, erected in the Park's dirt parking lot.

These stalls are home for the weekend for many of the horses entered.

The line for public admission tickets moves briskly...

All ages attend this show...

The general seating area on these bleachers fills up quickly. Families gather on blankets under the shade of trees on the grassy knoll.

Next to the knoll, is a full sports bar... with TVs and seating..

Under the large main tent, half of the shady space is for lots of picnic tables. The surrounding smaller tents have country fair games... and food: burgers, fruit salads, corn on the cob...

The other half of the large tent has activities for the younger set... 

The Hay Bale Boutique has clothing and sea-horse themed gift items for sale.

All of the proceeds from the show.. including all the activities, food, gifts and games... are for the benefit of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Two rings of horse show competition. This ring by the grassy knoll offers close-up views of all the action.

Just west of the show rings is an exercise ring for the riders to warm up their entries.This handy snack station makes the round for busy exhibitors who can't get to the food tents.

The show committee adds plants and floral arrangements around the tents and rings.

Much of the decor is also available for sale.

I always have my eye on the fiberglass livestock that appears annually. But they are all NFS (not for sale).

The real horses are bathed, groomed and kept quite comfortable. This horse is wearing a stylish fly mask while he enjoys a bit of people watching...

One grey horse had his own fan blowing on him while he waited his turn at the tack room.

Two grey horses side by side... making heads and tails of the event.

Maybe next  year I'll find out if this show mascot has a name....

See more events at the show and photos in this link... just 1 of 5 posts from last year's show:

http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/horse-show-2015-around-grounds-and.html

This link (1 of 9 from the 2011 show) has views of the park before and during the show... and has photos of a nearby equine art mural....http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/1-day-until-horse-show-sept-9-11.html