By Special to the Town Crier

Some of the area’s finest young riders and horses jumped to the head of their classes when they competed at the annual Westwind Barn Horse Show, held April 28.

Little Division champion was Ashley Black on her mount, Rosie Boy; Reserve champion was Meredith Malnick of Los Altos on Merrilegs. Medium Division champion was Martina Brehmer; Reserve champion in this division was Karen Buehler. Large Division champion was Michelle Geer on Tiger Bey; Reserve champion was Kathryn Basiji of Los Altos Hills on Busby.

The “Champagne Pleasure” class, for riders over age 21, was won by Lee Anne Kraus, former manager of Westwind Barn. The Pairs class was won by Jennifer McCormack and Megan Leonard. The Trail Trial, a competition featuring mail delivery, hill climbing and other challenges, was won by Laura Krieger of Los Altos Hills.

The show was a fund-raiser for Westwind Barn, a Los Altos Hills-owned stable located on Altamont Road. The original barn dates back to the 1940s, when Frank Ellithorpe built the first six stalls and raised Morgan and Arabian horses. In 1965 Robert D. Clement bought the barn and added 17 stalls, a tack room and a sand arena.

Countess Margit Bessenjey purchased the property in 1971 as an extension to her Montana stud farm, where she raised Hungarian thoroughbreds. The countess sold the barn to the Town of Los Altos Hills in 1975.

In 1977 Nancy Couperus, with other interested Los Altos Hills residents, formed the non-profit cooperative known as Friends of Westwind to operate Westwind Barn.

The barn is now the site for Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped, Pacific Ridge Pony Club and many privately owned horses.