English Hunters and Jumpers, Cutting Horses, Morgans, Arabians - all have their aficionados in the county. A year-long calendar at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds celebrates their presence with sanctioned equestrian events that draw thousands to the grandstands and arenas. One of the largest is Dressage in the Wine Country, with as many as 3,000 spectators donning spiffy white britches and velvet top hats to leap a classic course of artificial hedges, fake stone walls and miniature lakes. That Jazz is one of Sonoma Wine Country's most beloved charity events, put on each June by the 28 members of the local organization and their some 180 horses. Junior Achievement is the beneficiary.
Thoroughbreds graze in double-faced pastures on four farms dedicated to raising race track hopefuls.
Vine Hill Ranch, near the town of Sebastopol, is the home of Cavonnier, Sonoma's most famous horse. Bred, born and trained in the county, his distinguished career is highlighted by a thrilling photo-finish near win in the 1996 Kentucky Derby. While Cavonnier runs at tracks far-flung from his home paddock, other Thoroughbreds thunder into the county for twelve days of Wine Country Racing at the Sonoma County Fair. Held the last week of July and the first week of August each summer, races are run on a mile track with seating in the stands for 5,400 spectators. Equus - mane flowing free in the wind, loyal, proud and majestic.