Riders compete in costume at Sundance Hills' annual fun show

BONSALL – Bonsall-based Sundance Hills Equestrian Center held its annual fun show, a mix of English, Western and gymkhana classes, with riders and mounts donning clever costumes.

The show's ultimate costume contest winner was Toni Gillispie of Oceanside, who decked out herself and her horse Gina Girl as the Solar System, complete with sun helmet and several rotating planets. Horses and riders were warned ahead of time that some of the more sensitive mounts may want to exit the arena, as some horses could find a series of strange whirling objects frightening.

The costume contest closed the annual event, which drew more than 25 riders competing in traditional English and Western pleasure and equitation classes as well as newer events such as "Barrel Scurry," where riders race in a traditional barrel racing pattern with the additional obstacle of jumps between barrels.

The show also included an "Egg and Spoon" race, which required riders to carry an egg (no, it wasn't hard-boiled) on a plastic spoon at an increasingly fast pace; a "Clothes Race," requiring riders to take their mounts quickly across the arena and change clothes with their partner, who'd ride back; and "Ride a Buck," where riders rode bareback and had to keep a dollar bill between their leg and their horse at a walk, trot and canter.

"Our fun show is a great opportunity for newer riders to show in a venue that's not too intimidating," said Sara Krause-Whyte, owner of Sundance Hills Equestrian Center and co-producer of the show, along with Vicki Vietsch Schuman. "In addition, it brings together our English and Western riders, who don't often get a chance to compete and ride together. We love this tradition and plan to continue it."

Submitted for Sundance Hills Equestrian Center.