Portuguese Bend Horse Show Kicks Off

The 55th annual kicked off Friday at in Rolling Hills Estates, attracting local families and horseback riders alike.

The horse show, which was recently designated a "heritage competition" by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, will host the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association's (PCHA) Adult and 14 & under medial finals in addition to the $15,000 Seahorse Jumper Classic.

"We are … looking forward to hosting the PCCH Adult Medal Finals for the first time this year," horse show chair Vall Light told RHE city officials in an email sent early Friday morning about the new competition status.

"As we understand it, they have only awarded (heritage competition status) seven times to horse shows in the United States," Light wrote. "The first show to receive the award was the Devon Horse Show … We are thrilled to receive this award and love the timing relative to our show this weekend."

The horse show offers events for non-riders, too. Saturday's schedule features two puppet shows from Jim Gamble Marionettes, John Chambers and the Wonderful World of Puppets and a cake walk in addition to a petting zoo, pony rides, a moon bounce, games and prizes, arts and crafts, and face and hair painting.

Sunday's schedule includes the petting zoo, pony rides, moon bounce, games and prizes, cake walk, arts and crafts, and face and hair painting, as well as a "Wildlife Safari" with live animals and a meet-and-greet with biologists, and a stick-horse class.

Proceeds from the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The horse show is one of only two major fundraisers put on each year by the Peninsula Committee Children's Hospital—the other being the R.W. Durham Seahorse Golf Classic held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club in April.

For more information, visit pcch.net.