February 2015 - New Homes for Old Medals

February 2015 - New Homes for Old Medals
Written by CRM
Wednesday, 04 February 2015 06:17
Onondarka and WCE medal finals move to Del Mar and Las Vegas.
The Onondarka Medal Finals will be held during the Del Mar International Oct. 14-18 in Del Mar
and the WCE Medal Final will be held during the Las Vegas National Horse Show, November
10-15.
Both are staples of the West Coast hunter/jumper scene and were held for the last several
years – the Onondarka for the past 30 -- as part of the Los Angeles National Horse show. Last
year, they were held in Thermal when the LA show dates were bought and moved to the desert
as part of the Nilforushans’ Sunshine Series.
The Onondarka
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February 2015 - New Homes for Old Medals
Written by CRM
Wednesday, 04 February 2015 06:17
The Onondarka, an equitation medal for 12-and-under members of the Pacific Coast Horse
Show Association, will celebrate its 53rd year in Del Mar. In winning the Final last year, Elli
Yeager joined an illustrious list that includes Susie Hutchison, Francie Steinwedell and Lise
Quintero.
Onondarka’s history began in the 1930s and 1940s as a small Los Angeles Equestrian Center,
which included both adult and youth riding programs, sales horses, stabling and multiple riding
rings. Harry Simington’s award winning Onondarka Drill Team was founded at the stable in
1947, setting a high standard of horsemanship that remains to this day at the stables. Twins
JoAnn Postel and Nancy Turrill were among many who got their start at Onondarka, and they
went on to found the Foxfield Riding Academy and drill team.
Don Simington, son of Harry, took over Onondarka Riding Club, which is now located in Rancho
Polo in Thermal. The program’s impressive legacy continues as a full-service training and riding
school. The Onondarka Riding School sponsors the medal. “The medal has always been a very
special thing to the family,” explains Don. “My dad started it when there was no other medal
final for younger riders. It is exciting to have it at Del Mar and we are looking forward to it.”
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February 2015 - New Homes for Old Medals
Written by CRM
Wednesday, 04 February 2015 06:17
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