The fifth annual Chatsworth Day of the Horse opened to a bright and beautiful day at 11 a.m. last Saturday.

The event was sponsored by the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council Equestrian Committee (CNCEC), partnering with Ride-On Therapeutic Horsemanship.

The event took place at Ride On's faculties on Chatsworth Street.

Mary Kaufman from the CNCEC was this year's event chairperson.

Those attending the event included USC's Traveler (owned by Joann Osman), who was there to honor Ari, his nephew, a horse who died as a result of injuries sustained when struck by a motorist last fall.

Also attending as a featured guest was Guiness, a 23-hand English Shire who is one of the world's largest horses, Guiness is (owned by Jennifer Zito).

An on going theme of all past and present Chatsworth Day of the Horse events are the awards to students for their poster submissions concerning equestrian safety.

This year made more poignant due to the tragic death of Ari.

The first-place overall winner was Ashlee Macalino of St. John Eudes School.

More than 300 posters were submitted for judging with sixdifferent schools participating. Each of the participating schools will receive cash awards to help support their art programs.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Greig Smith came to the event and visited with those attending.

Mayor Villaraigosa promised he would be back in a few weeks to ride with Chatsworth Equestrians. They both had a great time.

The Day of the Horse events included demonstrations of Parelli horse training, jumping demonstration by members of both the Chatsworth High School Equestrian team and the Sierra Canyon Equestrian Team, dressage, Therapeutic Riding by Ride On, Hippotherapy riding, trick roping and a kids' stick horse race.

Linda Howell performed a reining demonstration on her horse named "Girl," and Cliff McLaughlin performed some trick roping and taught rope basics to some of the kids present.

Los Angeles City's D.A.R.T. team from Animal Regulations was again at Day of the Horse. They are the brave individuals who rescue and airlift injured horses from mountain trails.

Additionally, there was a cavalry demonstration by Steve Columbus, with a discussion of the history of man's relationship with the horse.

The event is estimated to have had more than 300 visitors and was a great success for the Chatsworth community and city of Los Angeles.