El Dorado County Supervisors held firm to a 2011 decision to support the Shingle Plan Compromise at a County Board meeting on January 24, 2012. The plan divides use of the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor (SPTC) into two distinct segments. The area from Shingle Springs up to Diamond Springs has been allotted for the development of a heritage railroad. From Shingle Springs down to the Western El Dorado County line, development will focus on establishing a community trail that will serve local residents and connect to Folsom, thereby expanding our regional trail system. Trail and train supporters have been at odds for years over use of the SPTC, but the Supervisor's recent de

The "World-Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions pranced, danced and jumped in front of an audience of hundreds at Power Balance Pavilion Saturday night. The show, in its 41st year, uses horses bred for Europe's nobility to demonstrate the art of "dressage," where techniques once used for battle are shown as the height of horsemanship. Precise steps and graceful moves were eclipsed only by what the Lipizzaner Stallions are best-known for – the "airs above the ground," in which the horses rear on their hind legs and kick their front legs out, rear on their hing legs and hop forward and, finally, jump in place and kick their rear legs outward while the rider stands behind and to the side, reins in

Horses originally bred to carry the nobility of Europe to war now have a more peaceful and entertaining vocation – they will be dancing and performing in Power Balance Pavilion June 18. The “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions perform in their “Dancing White Stallions” show that recounts their history as well as the cultures of various European countries, including Austria, Slovenia and Spain, said show producer Gary Lashinsky. “All of our horses were bought from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna,” Lashinsky said. The one-hour and 45-minute show is a choreographed dance of 12-14 Lipizzaner Stallions, and it also includes demonstrations of maneuvers riders would have performed in battle

The quadrupeds have taken over Cal Expo this weekend. The 12th annual Western States Horse Expo began Friday and will run through Sunday. This year features a new event, the Dog Expo. The expos are made up of demonstrations and shopping areas for a wide range of equine and canine concerns. Seven venues in Cal Expo are holding events throughout the weekend. Friday's demonstrations included equestrian training, nutrition discussions, cowboy poetry, music and first-aid training. Numerous guidance demonstrations included proper equine dentistry, choosing the right horse, train and ride like an athlete and desensitizing pack animals. More than 500 vendors and sponsors have filled Cal Expo's