Popular Bend horse show raises funds for worthy cause

The Oregon High Desert Classics, founded in 1989, are held at J Bar J Youth Ranch the last two weeks in July and the competition draws competitors from across the Pacific Northwest, all while helping fund valuable programs for Central Oregon youth.

Bend resident Lindsey Garner has competed in the hunter-jumper equine competition for 15 consecutive years. She trains at Capstone Equestrian.

“We love this horse show,” Garner said Wednesday. “I think this is one of the most special shows, because it’s one of the few that’s all on grass.”

Riders compete in grass competition rings.

“For every one horse that goes in the ring, there is a group of grooms and trainers and people that ship the horse,” Garner said. “Then all the way down to the people at home who are feeding and cleaning the stalls. All an important aspect of the training.”

Reno resident Julie Winkel added that each horse is unique. She owns Maple Wood Stables.

“You don’t train every horse the same,” Winkel said. “You figure out who they are, what makes them tick, what makes them happy, what makes them understand, and what makes them comfortable.”

Winkel has competed at this horse show for almost 30 years. She said it’s a great event to bring young horses to because they can settle in and jump on grass.

“There’s not a lot of shows left where you can jump on grass,” Winkel said. “It’s really natural for horses to jump on grass.”

She said she bought her 12-year-old competition horse, Stallone, at an earlier High Desert Classics show when he was 5. She said he’s smart and sensitive.

“He’s kept me on my toes,” Winkel said. “I have a lot of respect for him, but he also tries so hard in the ring for me. He wants to win, and he knows I want to win.”

Pop-up stalls house hundreds of horses for two weeks.

This horse show raises money for the non-profit, J Bar J Youth Services. One of its programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, is a 21 Cares for Kids partner.

“It raises a ton of money to help local kids in the community,” said executive director Stephanie Alvstad. “Last year, thousands of dollars went to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and thousands of dollars went to Cascade Youth and Family Center at the Loft and Grandma’s House. It supports all of our youth-serving programs.”

On top of that, it has a big economic impact.

“The chamber estimated it, I want to say, 20 years ago at $3 million,” Alvstad said. “Its probably double that now.”

For more information: http://www.oregonhighdesertclassics.org/