Saddleseat & Western School League of Greater Los Angeles - News

COVID-19: Show and Banquet Cancellation

3/30/2020

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the SWSL has cancelled the April 19th Show and April 26th Awards Banquet. The USEF has extended their recommendation that all licensed shows be postponed until after May 3, 2020.

The SWSL Board is currently judging whether rescheduling the Show and the Awards Banquet for July is feasible. Please check your emails as a survey has been sent to help with this decision.

We understand this is a difficult time for all - please stay safe!

COVID-19 Advisory

3/18/2020

Important Update: The USEF strongly recommends all licensed shows be suspended through April 16, 2020. Our next show is scheduled for April 19, 2020. The SWSL is closely monitoring the COVID-19 developments and will advise if there are any changes to our show's status.

Details regarding the USEF recommendations and additional resources from the CDC, WHO, USOPC, and the FEI are available on usef.org/media/coronavirus-resources.

New Class List Order

3/4/2020

Due to the success of the restructured February show and positive feedback, the SWSL will be rearranging the show class list as follows going forward.

CLASS LIST
SADDLE SEAT
1. Saddle Seat Equitation, Varsity
2. Saddle Seat English Pleasure, Varsity
3. Saddle Seat Equitation, Junior Varsity
4. Saddle Seat English Pleasure, Junior Varsity
5. Saddle Seat Equitation, Freshman
6. Saddle Seat English Pleasure, Freshman
7. Saddle Seat Equitation, Novice
8. Saddle Seat English Pleasure, Novice

WESTERN
9. Western Equitation, Varsity
10. Western Horsemanship, Varsity
11. Western Equitation, Junior Varsity
12. Western Horsemanship, Junior Varsity
13. Western Equitation, Freshman
14. Western Horsemanship, Freshman
15. Western Equitation, Novice
16. Western Horsemanship, Novice

Our intention is to keep the shows moving efficiently and smoothly, and we believe this change will reduce transition times between classes and the need for gate holds.

The change will be in effect for the April 19th 2020 show and all following shows.

The change has been recorded in the SWSL Rules and Regulations. Thank you!

New Helmet Requirements

1/10/2020

Effective for the February 9th, 2020 and all following Saddle Seat and Western School League shows, Novice and Freshman riders in both Saddle Seat and Western divisions are required to wear protective headgear during their classes. Protective headgear must be fastened and worn appropriately. No exceptions will be allowed.

This requirement applies to the following classes:
Novice Saddle Seat Equitation
Novice Saddle Seat English Pleasure
Freshman Saddle Seat Equitation
Freshman Saddle Seat English Pleasure
Novice Western Horsemanship
Novice Western Equitation
Freshman Western Horsemanship
Freshman Western Equitation

Riders in Junior Varsity and Varsity classes will still have the option to wear a hat or protective headgear.

This requirement is recorded in the official rules of the Saddle Seat and Western School League, Rule V Section B, and Rule VI Section A.

New Middle School Scholarship Opportunity

10/22/2019

In addition to the Senior Scholarship, the SWSL is pleased to be able to offer a Middle School Scholarship to a qualifying graduating 8th grader! Find out more about the requirements and application process on our Resources page here.

October 6 2019 Show Overview

10/7/2019

Congratulations to all our competing equestrians in the October 6th, 2019 SWSL show! We had 22 exhibitors in the 16 classes that the SWSL offers in Saddle Seat and Western disciplines from Novice to Varsity level. What a great turnout!

Our Saddle Seat Judge for the day was Joy Lazarus and our Western Judge was Renee Baker. We are grateful to have such accomplished judges for our licensed shows. The show began promptly at 9:00am in the Large Oval of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and wrapped a little after 12:00pm.

October 6 Show Location Change

10/2/2019

Please be advised that the location for the October 6th SWSL show has been changed back to the Large Oval. This is the show ring where our shows usually take place. It is expected to be very warm so please come prepared for the heat. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

9/22/19 Meeting Location Change

9/20/2019

Please be advised the location for the September 22nd Mandatory SWSL Meeting has changed. The meeting will now be held in the LA Equestrian Center's "Hospitality Lounge Barn", near the Small Oval show ring, and women's bathroom. Look for signs directing you, and we're looking forward to seeing you there!

2019-2020 Season Flyer

8/9/2019

It's about that time of year again to start thinking about the upcoming SWSL season, and the new school year! Our new 2019-2020 SWSL flyer is now available for download in order to help spread the word about the league to potential new Saddle Seat and Western equestrians. The flyer is 8.5" x 11", so it is perfect for easy and quick printing for those community bulletin boards, back to school events, and school club gatherings. Click here to download a copy today!

April 14 2019 Show Overview

4/15/2019

Congratulations to all our competing equestrians in the April 14th, 2019 SWSL show! We had 19 exhibitors in 14 of the 16 classes that the SWSL offers in Saddle Seat and Western disciplines from Novice to Varsity level. We look forward to continuing to grow these classes in the next season.

We celebrated our 4 graduating seniors, Bleu Stroud, Emily Holden, Mayumi Pitrat, and Josie Croasmun in the Senior Recognition ceremony prior to the show. We are so proud of these equestrians and we've been lucky to have them be a part of this league. We wish them good luck in all their future endeavors!