ROUNDUP ROPES $2,000 FOR TRAIL MAINTENANCE, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

Horse lovers and admirers of the Old West way of life gathered Sunday at Two Winds Ranch on Potrero Road to test their cattle herding skills to raise money for the Conejo Open Space Foundation.

Called the First Annual Team Penning and Country Celebration, the event raised about $2,000 to help pay for the maintenance of mountain trails.

``This community has helped us, and we really wanted to thank the community, and the best way was to have an event like this to raise money for the Conejo Open Space Foundation,'' said event organizer Jody Martin of Newbury Park. ``For me, horses are my life. They keep me sane.''

The event attracted participants from as far as San Diego, but was just as popular among local horse enthusiasts, who were eager to work for a good cause and have fun at the same time.

Lance Holt of Thousand Oaks said he was glad to be part of the fund-raiser.

``This is just a way to help,'' Holt said during a break in the competition. ``This is a way to say thank you for the people of Thousand Oaks.''

The nonprofit Conejo Open Space Foundation pays for a variety of programs, from education to trails maintenance.

Among Sunday's events were a cow herding contest and several horseback riding events.

But the most popular event was a chicken-penning contest, in which teams rode toy stick ponies into a flock of 10 chickens and tried to herd them by twos into a pen on the opposite side of the arena.

Thousand Oaks City Council members Andy Fox and Judy Lazar did not appear nervous as they prepared to enter the arena to test their skills.

``It's for a good cause,'' Lazar said. ``I'm sure the chickens will have a good time. I have lots of food in my pocket.''

Fox had a more competitive outlook, however.

``I'm here to win,'' he said, but soon added he was there for a good cause, too. ``Not only is it a good cause, but this is what it's like to live in Thousand Oaks. The equestrian heritage is a key to the community.''

Jeff Alexander, chairman of the Conejo Open Space Foundation and the Conejo Open Space Trails Advisory Committee, said he was touched by the large turnout at the fund-raiser.

But he said he was not surprised.

``The community has always defined open space as a No. 1 issue,'' he explained.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--ran in CONEJO edition only--color) A chicken- penning contest was a big hit at Sunday's benefit.

(2) Dov Fine of Santa Monica tries to pen a steer at Sunday's fund-raiser for the Conejo Open Space Foundation at Two Winds Ranch.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News