Horses have their day at the fair

Equestrian center hosts Day of the Horse, which included riding lessons and a chance to feed the animals.So far, it hasn’t been the year of the horse in Costa Mesa -- but you wouldn’t have known it Saturday, when the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center held its first Day of the Horse festival.

In the five-hour family event, nearly a dozen Costa Mesa stable owners brought their horses and stirrups to the equestrian center in a back corner of the fairgrounds. Throughout the day, the trainers offered riding lessons, high jump competitions, tours of the stables and opportunities to feed the animals.

“People have to learn where they came from,” said stable owner Linda O’Neill. “Before we had automobiles and machines, horses did all the work.”

The festival was the first major event the equestrian center has held this year. In October, manager Rick Hanson told the fair board’s buildings and grounds committee that he wanted to opt out of the firm’s five-year contract. At present, the future of the equestrian center is considered up in the air, with some speculating that the space could be used as a parking lot or a stage area.

Trainer Doris McGee, who coordinated the festival with O’Neill, said the center’s lack of recent events was due to recent construction that reduced its size.

The mood Saturday was upbeat, as children of all ages traveled around the dirt track, experienced riders held jumping demonstrations and Christmas music played.

Midway through the day, the center held a seasonal parade, with horses decked out in Santa Claus hats, reindeer antlers and bells. McGee said the center was considering holding a similar show with dogs next February.

“Almost everyone who has a horse has dogs,” she said. “We had such a good turnout today that we’re already thinking about it.”

To reward the horses for their hard work Saturday, the trainers baked carrot cakes made with grains and bran mash and carried slices to each stall.

Throughout the year, the equestrian center offers riding lessons to children, who also learn to groom the horses and clean up the stables. Most of the classes are for beginners, but some of the children in attendance Saturday brought their own horses from home.

Twin sisters Caitlin and Blair Hedigan, 13, of Irvine, recently acquired an appendix quarter breed horse named Joe. The girls have been into horse-riding for two years.

Relaxing after a ride, Caitlin said she liked horses because “they’re really sweet and fun to be around.”

“They each have their own personality,” Blair added.WENDI KAMINSKI / DAILY PILOTEmma Burns of Corona rides Huckleberry.20051211irbbtaknWENDI KAMINSKI / DAILY PILOT(LA)Shayla Mc Glothin, 4, of Costa Mesa feeds Nifty an apple at the O.C. Fairgrounds Equestrian Center on Saturday.