President's Message - Spring, 2009

Can you feel the anticipation in the air? I certainly can. We are at the best time of the year for equestrians. Great weather, wonderful 4-legged friends and lots of terrific opportunities. What a dynamite combination!

Just look at our calendar… We have already enjoyed some fabulous events. We started the year off in style with our annual Kick-Off Gala & Installation Dinner in January. This year we saw record-breaking attendance and the event was the talk of the town for the next week to follow. You can read more about it in my article elsewhere in our magazine. In February, we had a large turn-out for the Spaghetti Feed & Bunco Tournament at the Mounted Patrol Grounds. Lots of friends, fabulous food and fantastic fun. Look for the article and photos in the following pages. April found us gathering for the PBR Pro Bull Riding at the Cow Palace. I think this was scheduled in order to hold us over until the Grand National Rodeo returns in Spring 2010. And, yes, the Grand National Rodeo will return to the Cow Palace in 2010! We also collectively rolled up our sleeves and got to work at both Jack Brook Horse Camp Workday and Clarkia Trail Clean Up. We had a whopping turn-out for the Clarkia Trail Clean Up. Lots of helping hands certainly makes the work go a lot easier and quicker. In both cases, it just amazes me how much we can accomplish when we all pitch in together. Nancy Kouchekey planned a breathtaking route through The Ridge at Skyline for our annual Spring Ride on April 25th. It just doesn’t get classier than 2nd Vice President Nancy.

Here we are in May and already we have proudly represented SMCHA in the annual Woodside May Day Parade on May 2. Mother Nature tried to dampen our enthusiasm but we just weren’t having any of that. The pride of our club – the Senior Color Guard – led our merry band of riders along the parade route. The first of some new clinics we are putting on this year took place the following day – the Trail Course Clinic on May 3rd. Champion trail course riders, Cheryl & David Busick, graced us with their deep wealth of knowledge for a full day of coaching on trail course work. Each and every one of the 18 participants advanced in their approach to trail obstacles. My thanks to superpal, Joan McLaren, for helping make arrangements with the clinicians. And hats off to new Board member, Robin Whalen, for an excellent job of managing the event. Bravo!

By the time you read this we will have hosted the phenomenal trainer, Don Douglas, at Mounted Patrol Grounds on May 9th. I am so excited to share Don with all of you. He is an understated good ‘ol cowboy who knows just how to get what he wants out of a horse. And he makes it look so easy… I invited him here to share his 5 Basic Exercises Every Horse Should Know. There will be 20 participants along with a handful of auditors. When the word hits the street about Don, those who missed out on this day are gonna kick themselves. I tried to encourage you all to come… New Board member, Sharon Butler, loves to cook for a crowd so we are giving her that opportunity – along with her trusty culinary sidekick, Board member Nancy Kouchekey, by providing lunch for everyone in the clinic. Mmmm good! If things go they way I plan, you can count on an overnight clinic down at the Douglas Ranch in Paicines later this year. Keep your eyes and ears open…

Our first horse show, the Western Schooling Show, will take place at Webb Ranch on Sunday, May 17. Ringmasters Cheryl Basin and Noel Moody are hard at work in the SMCHA horse show workshop tending to all the zillion details to make our horse shows happen. We have added a couple new classes and a surprise or two for the participants. Go to our website: www.smcha.org and download the class list and registration form.

The always popular Western Riding Clinic is right around the corner. Beginning on Thursday, May 14th, this long-standing tradition will run for 8 Thursdays with a big BBQ and demonstration on Saturday, July 11th. Her name is synonymous with this event. Longtime Board member, Karen Rowley Shawback, will be insuring everything will run smoothly. There isn’t a better bang for your buck than this terrific opportunity for some excellent coaching by our team of talented trainers, Noel Moody, Joan McLaren and Jason Attard.

Our May Trail Ride will be another “don’t miss it” event. We will be meeting up at the ranch of past Presidents Al & Sarah Filice in Half Moon Bay. We will be riding into Purissima Creek canyon and returning to the Filices for a scrumptious BBQ. Mark your calendar for May 24th and come enjoy the day. Our Juniors will gather back at the Filices on May 31 for a Juniors Draft Horse Driving Demo. Thanks for your generosity, Al & Sarah.

Coming in June will be another new clinic for SMCHA – Beginner Sorting with Rich Braun – at Mounted Patrol Grounds. I have started working my horse with cows this year and I can’t begin to tell you how much fun it is. Who knew my horse was “cow-y”! It is some of the most fun you can have on a horse! Space is limited and many have already signed up. It’s Saturday, June 20th. We’ll have Rich Braun back with us on Saturday, July 18th for another Sorting Clinic for Intermediates along with some Team Penning.

Registration for Jack Brook Horse Camp will begin on June 1st. Last year was a sell-out – and this year will be no different - so be sure to send in your reservation early. Preference will be given to current SMCHA members. On July 1, we will open reservations to non-members. Back by popular demand, Chef Tim Stewart will delight us with his delectable dishes.

A new twist on a popular event – Day at the Races at Golden Gate Fields. We will all travel by limo bus leaving from Woodside – travelling in comfort with delicious refreshments. This will take place in October so, again, keep your eyes open for the actual date.

The last event I want to make you aware of – September 12 will find us at a Square Dance & Dinner at Runnymede Farm. Thank you, Adolph Rosekrans for your generosity in allowing us to enjoy some fun in your backyard. This will also be a fundraiser for SMCHA. As you can imagine, this year we have seen a shortfall in financial donations that normally accompany our membership renewals. Since SMCHA sponsors so many worthwhile equestrian causes throughout our community and beyond, we didn’t want to disappoint those organizations who rely on our financial support. So we are going to have some fun and raise some money. We will have a silent auction and a raffle. This is where you can help out… if you are willing to donate an auction item or a raffle prize, please let me know. Your generosity will be deeply appreciated and will make a definite difference in your club’s ability to support many worthwhile equestrian concerns. Think BIG! You can contact me at Barbara@BarbaraStogner.com or on my cell phone – 650/224-5558.

I am still on the path to 1000 members in SMCHA! I am not wavering from this commitment. I know it’s possible. We continue to have new members join our ranks every week. But we also had nearly 100 members not renew for one reason or another. If you know of anyone who did not renew this year or is not yet a member of SMCHA, encourage them the send in their membership. Our magazine alone is well worth the price of membership. Plus look at the size of smile SMCHA puts on your face! The future of our trails and open spaces depends on the continued growth of the equestrian community. Each and every member matters. We must retain our existing members and continue to invite new horse folks to join us and well as encourage past members to come back. We need to keep our voice strong in our efforts to preserve and protect our beloved trails and open space. I need your help with this it only seems like I am everywhere and involved in everything. SMCHA needs YOU to see us reach 1000 members.

And most of all come out and horse around with us…

Happy Trails,

Barbara Stogner
SMCHA President