SKILLED RIDERS SHOWCASE TALENT.Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer VALENCIA - If Debra Hargett, 12, was shaken by a tumble from Maggie, a 1,000-pound chestnut-colored horse, she didn't show it. Hargett dusted off her black-and-gold military-style uniform, assured her mother that she was fine and jumped back up on her horse. ``It didn't hurt,'' Hargett said after her troop's competition, still wearing the regulation riding helmet. ``I've fallen before.'' Hargett has been a member of the California Rangers Rapidly deployable airborne light infantry organized and trained to conduct highly complex joint direct action operations in coordination with or in support of other special operations units of all Services. for only six months, and Sunday's Fall Post Show was the first time she had ridden in competition. Hargett said she loves the two-hour riding lessons every Monday and couldn't wait to compete in December at what amounts to a championship competition against Rangers from 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. . ``It teaches self-respect,'' Hargett said, echoing one of the organization's founding principles. ``It makes me feel like I can do things.'' Dozens of parents and friends braved windy and cold conditions to watch the competition Sunday in San Francisquito Canyon, cheering on the troops, and admiring the precision footwork of the horses. Both individual and troop prizes were awarded. ``I've fallen twice,'' 9-year-old Gianna Herrera declared, proudly adding that she only cried a little after her second fall. ``I like cantering can·ter n. A smooth gait, especially of a horse, that is slower than a gallop but faster than a trot. v. can·tered, can·ter·ing, can·ters v.intr. 1. To ride a horse at a canter. the best. It can be sort of scary scar·y adj. scar·i·er, scar·i·est 1. Causing fright or alarm. 2. Easily scared; very timid. scar , when you know you can fall, but it is more fun than scary.'' The California Rangers were founded during World War II as an offshoot of the California State Militia militia (məlĭsh`ə), military organization composed of citizens enrolled and trained for service in times of national emergency. Its ranks may be filled either by enlistment or conscription. . During that war, high school age boys patrolled the shore, watching for enemy boats. After the war, it was turned into a nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. youth organization, dedicated to teaching kids and teens military science and riding techniques, said Col. Brian Rainwaters, who heads the organization. ``My daughter joined when she was 9 and really took to horses,'' Rainwaters said. ``After that, I kind of fell in love with the kids and the horses. Who wouldn't?'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Brian Crabtree, above, takes control of his horse during Sunday's Fall Post Show competition in San Francisquito Canyon. Riders trot trot one of the natural gaits of the horse; a two-beat gait on alternating diagonals. collected trot the head is held well in and the horse is not permitted to fully extend its limbs. along, far right, during the event. (3) Sarah Haney calms her horse during Sunday's Fall Post Show in San Francisquito Canyon. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News |
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