Coto de Caza may have its "real" housewives, but San Juan Capistrano has its equestrians, who finally get a reality show of their own.
It’s called Swapping Saddles, and the premise is to challenge English riders to ride Western and vice versa. Sponsored by Royal Champion, the web-only reality show even gives some history lessons into how the disciplines emerged.
It’s got all the reality TV tropes: great theme music, built-up tension between the competitors, blustery bravado (is there any other kind?), a host with a British accent and even a rider cam.
The first challengers are Western rider Gracyn Garberich from San Juan Capistrano, who squares off with Lauren Bouwman, a Long Beach resident who’s been coming to our neck of the woods to ride for more than a decade.
The show also features English instructor Dana Smith of Dana Smith Show Team from San Juan Capistrano and Western trainer Cindy Forrest of Cindy Forrest Performance Horses. It was shot at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park.
Who will outperform the other in a riding style neither has tried before? Stay tuned!
