Horse enthusiasts and riders on any breed of horse are invited to the annual Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show. Bring your own horse and ride, or bring your family and friends to watch the fun. The show takes place on April 6, 2025 at Knudson Training Stables, 3880 Union Rd, Paso Robles.
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A Benefit Show for the SLO County 4-H Horse Project
The San Luis Obispo County 4-H youth development program’s countywide 4-H Horse Project is organizing the annual Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show as a fundraiser for the program. All breeds of horses and all riders are welcome to enter. Proceeds from Back in the Saddle directly pay for 4-H shows, clinics, and awards, and has eliminated clinic and show fees for the members of 4-H horse projects in SLO County.
Jando Guerra & Pam Turnbull will spend the day judging the classes. Trail course design is by Patty Knudson.
Classes offered include:
- Showmanship
- Horsemanship
- Western Pleasure
- Trail
- Ranch Halter
- Ranch Pleasure
- Ranch Riding
- Ranch Trail
- Champagne Pleasure
The Champagne Pleasure class is just for fun – riders will start with a full glass and whoever has the most water left at the ends wins! Riders may add at the gate for this one. This class does not count for division point totals, but fun prizes will be awarded.
Divisions:
- Lead-line 6u
- 10u Walk Jog
- 17u Walk Jog
- 18+ Walk Jog
- Open Walk Jog
- 17u Loping
- 18+ Loping
- Open Loping
- 17u Walk Trot Ranch
- 18+ Walk Trot Ranch
- 17u Ranch
- 18+ Ranch
- Open Ranch
Ride, Watch and Sponsor Classes
There are many ways to support the local 4-H Horse Project. Community members are invited to enter the show, to come and watch, and to sponsor awards and prizes for the show to support the 4-H Horse Project in SLO County. Last year over 50 riders competed at Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show and a larger turn out is expected this year.
Classes are only $25 and are open to horses, ponies and mules with youth or adult riders. There is a class for everyone! The pre-entry date is April 2, 2025. Entries received after that will incur a $25 post-entry fee.
See the show class list and download the show entry through the button below:
Enter the show online through the button below:
The San Luis Obispo County 4-H program is fundraising to cover some of the show costs and to keep more resources for the Horse Project. Sponsorship opportunities include: sponsoring the arena, backing the championship buckle and ribbons for a division, providing items to be given away as prizes in the Champagne Pleasure classes, or by making a donation of any amount.
Become a sponsor by clicking this button:
Additional Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show Information
Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show
April 6, 2025
Knudson Training Stables, Paso Robles
Judges: Jando Guerra & Pam Turnbull
For more information, call or text 805-674-5831, join the Facebook page Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show, send an email to slohorseproject@gmail.com, or check out the Back in the Saddle Information & Registration form.
The San Luis Obispo 4-H County Horse Project holds horse shows and riding clinics each year that are open to all the 4-H horse project members in SLO County. Each clinic and horse show focuses on a different riding discipline: Western, English, and Gymkhana. The 4-H members have lots of opportunities to improve their horsemanship skills and decide which type of riding they enjoy most. New this year, SLO County has a Horse &
Mule Packing Project.
Riders go on to compete in the local local Mid State Fair 4-H horse show. The culmination of each 4-H year is the California State Classic 4-H Horse Show.
Get going! Looking for trails to ride in SLO County? This hotsheet will get you going on a few of the top rides. Get this delivered to your e-mail and join the SLO Horse News herd to stay up-to-date on herd happenings. Click here > SLO County Trails Hot Sheet to get going!
