RODEO RACING ADDED AT SHOW; EQUESTRIANS EXPAND EVENTS.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Bending and weaving through an obstacle course of 7-foot poles, Darleen Travali made it look easy Sunday as she and her horse Stormy completed a gymkhana speed event kicking off the Simi Valley Charity Horse Show.

``It's kind of a hobby of mine,'' said Travali, 20, a Simi Valley resident who began training and competing nearly 10 years ago in gymkhana racing. ``And it gives even younger kids a chance to compete in the events.''

Relying on their ability to maneuver their horses around sharp turns at high speeds, more than 60 riders turned out for the opening day of the 12th annual horse show at the Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center.

``We always wanted to expand the horse show to include gymkhana. But when Simi Valley Days canceled the rodeo this year, it spurred us to organize the gymkhana events,'' said Cindy Pandolfi, coordinator for the horse show.

She said the show will help preserve the area's rodeo spirit, as with barrel racing. Each timed rider weaves among barrels on a course resembling a clover leaf in the competition.

Preparing for the day's events early Sunday, judges Tom Martin and Paul Konzelman had riders make test runs - to ensure the arena was safe for the horses to complete the speed races.

Late last week, the arena was leveled and soaked so the water penetrated six to 12 inches deep.

``The water helps hold the dirt together. That assures the horse will have a firm footing and allows the horse to make sharp turns around the barrels and through the poles without getting hurt,'' said Martin, a Simi Valley resident and judge for the California Gymkhana Association since 1989.

For 12 years, the Simi Valley Charity Horse Show was a two-day weekend event that featured a Western and English riding events, but no gymkhana.

This year, however, the show was extended to a third day for six gymkhana events in which riders and their horses maneuver among poles and stakes, as well as barrels.

In a speed-ball event, riders must race up to a safety cone and drop a golf ball into the five-inch opening.

``Basically, this is the kind of sport where riders of any level can come out and have a good time,'' said Brandie Levine, 23, a Simi Valley resident and a member of the California Gymkhana Association Hall of Fame.

``And it's the kind of activity that not only keeps kids out of trouble but teaches them responsibility, sportsmanship and teamwork,'' said Levine, who competed Sunday in the top AAA-plus division.

Ten-year-old Chelsea Mitchell sat atop her deep brown Arab-Pinto horse and waited for the pole bending competition.

``They're boosting me to a higher division,'' she said proudly.

``People come from all over to compete. They love the speed,'' said Lori Mitchell, Chelsea's mother and the coordinator of the gymkhana events. ``And it gives them a goal to achieve that lasts a lifetime.

``It keeps people and especially kids off the streets.''

The Western Horse Show will be Saturday and the English Horse Show will be Sunday at the Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center. A portion of the horse show proceeds will go to the Association for Retarded Citizens of Simi Valley.

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Photo

PHOTO (color in Simi only) Kathrine Hufford maneuvers her horse Buddy Holly Blues in the Simi Valley Charity Horse Show gymkhana.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News