Horse shows to emphasize riding and knowledge
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

Cris Chastain

Knowing how to ride and knowing about your horse once went hand in hand.

Not so much anymore, according to Cris Chastain, 51, owner of Cross Creek Farms, an equestrian riding and boarding center in Moorpark.

Chastain, a professional riding instructor, is concerned that young riders lack knowledge of basic horse care.

"Young riders aren't involved with the day-to-day care of their horses," she said. "These kids get on horses that have been prepared by trainers and groomers and really they're just given a leg up and sent into the show ring."

In response to this perceived disconnect, Chastain held her first Cross Creek All English Horse Show last Sunday at the Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center in Simi Valley. And along with the usual challenges of jumping and equitation, riders had the option of taking a short quiz on their horse knowledge.

"Kids should be able to answer a hundred questions about the horse, like confirmation, veterinary care, stable management, health and nutrition," Chastain said.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers RIBBON WINNER- Haley Baltimore, 16, of Moorpark rides "Buddy" in a jumping class at the first of four monthly Cross Creek Horse Shows held Sunday at Arroyo Simi Gateway Equestrian Park. The shows combine a horseback competition as well as a written horsemanship test, intended to promote learning about horses and general equestrian skills.

The instructor has been preaching about this lack of knowledge for several years now.

In 2005, she expressed her concerns over the younger generation's lack of the basics in a letter to the editor in "Chronicle of the Horse," a respected magazine on horsemanship. She suggested that at competitions riders 17 years and younger should answer questions on horse care along with showing their riding skills.

The letter evolved into an article that ran in the magazine's September 2005 issue. There was a favorable response from the competitive horse community, with more 2,000 hits on the magazine website's bulletin board, Chastain said.

Debbie Johnston, 55, of Newbury Park, a volunteer helper at Sunday's competition, agreed that horsemanship is more than showing well in the ring.

Johnston rode horses as a child and now takes riding lessons with Chastain at Cross Creek.

"What Cris is promoting is allaround horsemanship. Many kids get credit for having an expensive, well-trained horse but they don't really know a lot about horsemanship or even about riding," Johnston said.

According to Chastain, making waves in the politically sensitive equestrian community might cost her a job as a trainer. But as a seasoned professional, Chastain said, she felt she had an obligation to voice her concerns.

"I built my reputation and if there's a bullet to be taken for voicing my option, I'll take it," Chastain said. "My objective is to change things on the national circuit, but it isn't easy to get the wheels turning. On a local level, I can at least hit the first domino."

Chastain modified her suggested 100-question quiz to 15 written questions for Sunday's Cross Creek inaugural event.

Those opting to take the quiz do not have to participate in the riding competition.

"I wanted to make it very userfriendly. A 7- or 8-year-old can take it," Chastain said. "They probably won't be the top scorer but it will give them the opportunity to learn from the quiz."

There were a few takers at Sunday's competition, including Hannah O'Toole, 9, a student at Peach Hill Elementary in Moorpark.

Riding a horse named Buddy, Hannah took second and third place honors in the jumping and equitation competitions. Unlike the youngsters Chastain is concerned about, Hannah said she is involved in the day-to-day care of her horse.

Haley Baltimore, 16, a junior at Moorpark High school, scored the highest on the quiz and received a $100 scholarship toward entry fees in future Cross Creek shows.

Chastain said she's planning three more riding competitions this year, each offering a quiz on basic horse knowledge.