FESTIVAL CELEBRATES LEGACY, HISTORY OF HORSES IN VALLEY.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer LAKE VIEW TERRACE - Dozens of equestrian groups galloped through Lake View Terrace's Gabrieleno Park on Saturday to show solidarity and to celebrate how horses played a pivotal role in the history and heritage of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . The annual ``Day of the Horse - Dia del Caballo'' festival kicked off with a multicultural display of equestrian groups re-creating riding styles from past and present. From the vaqueros, the buckaroos and the charros to the exotic riders from Chile, Norway and Korea, riders on Arabian and quarter horses, among others, spent the day raising dust and piquing the interest of the audience who stood watching on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. . ``This event celebrates what the horse has done for us, in our history, and what it does for our future,'' said Sheila Mears, a member of several local equestrian groups, including the Valley Horse Owners Association. ``When you become a horse owner or ride horses, you are entering a whole other different way of life.'' Organizers said the festival also serves to raise awareness about preserving the equestrian neighborhoods around the Hansen Dam Hansen Dam in Los Angeles County, California was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District in 1939 and 1940. The project is located near the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley on Tujunga Wash, about one mile below the confluence of the Big Tujunga Wash area, as well as bringing horse groups together. The largest development planned nearby is the Children's Museum Children's museums are institutions that provide exhibits and programs that stimulate informal learning experiences for children. In contrast with traditional museums that typically have a hands-off policy regarding exhibits, children's museums feature interactive exhibits that are , scheduled for groundbreaking in 2005. The Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. voted earlier this month to move forward with the plans, hoping to raise $52 million for the project. ``We're struggling to retain the foothills, the horse community here,'' Mears said. Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Council members Alex Padilla Alex Padilla is a politician in California. He was elected as the State Senator for the 20th District of California in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. In order to enter the Senate he had to resign as Councilman for the 7th District on the Los Angeles City and Wendy Greuel Wendy Greuel is President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District. Greuel was elected in 2002 to fill the remainder of the term of Councilman Joel Wachs. She was elected in her own right in 2003 and reelected in 2007. , along with Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, all of whom attended the event, vowed to help retain the area's equestrian feel. ``I like to brag and say the Northeast Valley is the history of California See History of California to 1899 or History of California 1900 to present. ,'' Padilla told the crowd. ``Much of what we have seen today exemplifies the history we have here.'' Parents whose children belong to equestrian groups praised the event, saying that horse riding deters sons and daughters from falling into trouble. Jennifer Koch watched as her 15-year-old daughter, Kayla Deliso, joined members of the Midnight Riders group for drills. Kayla has been riding for seven years with a group of friends, her mother said. They make their own costumes - black pants and shirts with hints of sparkles - and come up with their own drills. ``It's wonderful for her,'' said Koch, who admitted she knew little about horses. ``She learns responsibility, and she doesn't have time to get into the bad things in life.'' Kayla and her friends Cassandra Villegas, 12, and Brenda Stadelmann, 13, all members of the Midnight Riders, say riding horses together makes them closer. ``When you're on the trail with your friends, you forget about everything else,'' Cassandra said. Susan Abram, (818) 546-3304 susan.abram(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Rosendo Solis of Burbank coaxes a smile out of his horse Bandelero during the Day of the Horse event at Hansen Dam on Saturday. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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