Irvine Resident and USDF Gold Medalist Wilma Blakely Headlines Behind-the-Scenes Stable Tour

Longtime Irvine resident and accomplished equestrian, Wilma Blakely is a star attraction of the family-friendly, Behind-the-Scenes at the Stables tour in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, July 26, from 3-5 p.m.

Wilma Blakely is a professional dressage trainer with an outstanding track record of successfully training students from Training to Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) level. If a trainer is measured through the success and passion of their students – Wilma is a rock star with students riding and winning regularly at local and regional horse shows.

As a rider, Blakely was awarded United States Dressage Federation bronze, silver and gold medals on horses she trained herself. After many championships and successful Grand Prix years, Blakely retired from competition to instruct and pass on the knowledge and skills she has gained during her “incredible horse journey.” “I enjoy teaching almost as much as riding,” says Blakely who coaches and rides daily.

During the tour, Blakely will demonstrate a classical dressage training session for tour attendees while explaining what is behind the exercises and movements. Rider Zena Cooper and her high-spirited, Hanoverian gelding Damien will assist in the demonstration. Cooper and Damien are an impressive team with many ribbons including a run of 11 consecutive dressage competitions with first place wins.

“My training goal with both horse and rider is to build better athletes. Every bit of progress in that direction also builds a stronger bond between the two,” explains Blakely. “At the ultimate equestrian competition, the Olympics, you will see the most sublime of partnerships - so exquisite that this incredibly demanding performance seems effortless.”

Behind-the-Scenes at the Stable will also include meeting horses large and small, from an 1,800 pound Percheron draft horse to Mini Cooper a miniature horse, at Sycamore Trails Stable. And the high flying art of the hunter/jumper riders will be demonstrated by established trainer John Berney at his new facilities at the neighboring semi-private Rio Vista Stables. There will also be a performance by the young stars of the Bridges Pony Club.

National Parents Day was established in the United States in1994 to honor parents and to celebrate family. “We put together a fun, free event for families and individuals to spend time appreciating each other, horses and the outdoors. Laguna Beach Horse Lovers’ goal is to make the wonderful world of horses accessible to everyone,” says founder Lori Savit. “You don’t have to be a rider to enjoy the beauty and power of the horse, the harmony of horse and rider and the excitement of horse sports.”

To attend this outdoor event on Sunday, July 26, 3-5 p.m., e-mail lori@lagunabeachhorselovers or call 949/497-8915 to make reservations. Admission and parking are free. Please call in advance, space is limited. Families and individuals are welcome! See lagunabeachhorselovers.com for more information.

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Laguna Beach Horse Lovers (lagunabeachhorselovers.com) are people passionate about horses, but not necessarily riders, residing in Laguna Beach and surrounding cities in Orange County. Our mission is to create opportunities for families and people of all ages to enjoy horse sports through:

· creating special events providing special access to top equestrians and their insider knowledge of horse sports,

· consolidating information on local horse-related activities, and

· providing answers to horse sports questions such as where to watch horse sports, take riding lessons, local barns and more.