Get a up-close look at dressage horses, riders with a tour

The Laguna Beach Horse Lovers group is offering a guided backstage tour of jumping and dressage shows at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 21.

It is the first such tour to be offered, according to a news release

The free 30-minute tour will start with a hilltop view of the jumping and dressage shows and then move downhill toward the stables. Guides will explain what the judges are looking for in show jumping.

At the stables, experienced riders will demonstrate how they prepare their horses for competition.

Visitors will then head to the VIP tent and the main dressage area, where Olympians such as Steffen Peters, Jan Ebeling and Gunter Seidel will be competing during the weekend, according to the release.

The tour will end with the opportunity to meet Laguna Beach resident Nicole Bhathal, who will compete in the Fédération Equestre Internationale Intermediare test with her new equine partner, Sir Cedrik H. Bhathal is a U.S. Dressage Federation silver and bronze medalist and serves as the southern regional director of the California Dressage Society.

For more information or reservations, call (949) 497-8915 or visit lagunabeachhorselovers.com.

—Alicia Lopez