President's Message - Summer 2008

Fun, interesting, committed, talented, generous and inspiring… just some of the qualities of the remarkable people in SMCHA. Whether organizing fun events with our horses, maintaining our beloved trails or responding to an emergency caused by devastating fires, I have seen you participate with unbridled enthusiasm and generosity. There’s so many exciting events happening and upcoming surprises that I don’t know where to begin… I’ll start off on a serious note.

I believe that it is in a time of crisis that demonstrates what people are really made of. On May 22, Santa Cruz County was hit by the devastating Summit Fire which consumed 4000 acres. The alert went out that volunteers were needed. Our members responded with a generous spirit – generous with their time, energy and resources. Some, like Al & Sarah Filice, Rob Krensky and their fellow Mounted Search & Rescue team, went down with trailers to help evacuate stranded horses, llamas, alpacas, goats and sheep. Some donated money to Half Moon Bay Feed and Portola Valley Feed so that supplies could be provided to the evacuated livestock stabled at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Others donated their time and energy at the fairgrounds assisting with the feeding and cleaning stalls of the evacuated animals. On Saturday, May 24 th, I stopped at Portola Valley Feed and used the donations collected there to buy feed supplements. I filled my SUV to the brim. The next morning I drove Beverley Kane, Susan Stewart (my sister), and Robin Whalen down to the fairgrounds to pitch in where needed. We got a rousing welcome as we unloaded 15+ bags of supplements and other miscellaneous supplies. With our pitchforks in hand, we set out to clean stalls. Altogether the four of us cleaned over 100 stalls that day! Even though we moaned and groaned over our various aching muscles on the way home, we all said we had a wonderful time together. The fire victims and rescue personnel we interacted with while working were so appreciative of our efforts. I asked some of the other SMCHA volunteers to share their thoughts with you. You will find their stories further on in this issue. There is no denying that you – the SMCHA members – made a positive impact during this devastating disaster. I was proud to represent you.

Our 2008 Membership Drive has been a stupendous success and we are only half way through the year! As you will recall, we set up a friendly competition to see who could bring in the most new memberships by May 31 st. Many of you jumped on this with both feet. You invited your friends and barn mates to join SMCHA and now we have 140 new memberships! That translates to over 200 new members! One dynamo was determined not to be outdone: Joan McLaren rounded up 54 new memberships! Well deserved, she won the contest and is now the proud recipient of that impressive buckle. The contest may have ended but our membership drive has not – keep inviting people to join SMCHA. Let’s keep our family growing!

We are wrapping up another successful Western Riding Clinic. Always a favorite activity of our members (and me), Karen Rowley is finishing off the series with the traditional Western Riding Clinic Demonstration & Dinner. A great time is had by all. This year there will be a special performance by our Senior Color Guard and Drill Team led by Anne Whitten. You won’t want to miss it.

By the time you read this, the annual NCEFT Poker Ride will have taken place on Saturday, July 19 th. This is always a double bonus event. We get to raise money for this worthwhile organization and enjoy the beauty of Huddart Park while riding the route to collect a winning poker hand. Can’t beat that combination. As always NCEFT holds the Club Challenge. The Challenge Cup is awarded to the riding association that raises the most funds. And the Most Riders Award goes to the group fielding the most riders. In recent years, SMCHA has been the proud winner of one or both of these awards. Let’s not make this year any different !

Keep your cameras handy… We’re having a photo contest. Any SMCHA member can submit a photo to be considered. It must be a horse-related photo. The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the Fall issue of our Horseman’s magazine. Runner ups will be displayed inside the magazine. Young and old alike have the same chance of winning. Submit your photos either by mail to our P.O. Box or via email to me at Barbara@BarbaraStogner.com.

Ever dream of being a jockey and riding your horse on a famous race track? I am finalizing arrangements with our very own Bay Meadows Race Track for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Before Bay Meadows closes for good, we will ride our horses around the track and experience a bit of local history. Imagine the thrill! How does that sound to you? The date is still to be determined but will be sometime between mid-August and the end of September. Keep your eyes open for the notice in the mail or via email. This is a day you won’t want to miss.

Summer is the season for horse shows. And we have plenty happening right here. We recently had a successful Western Schooling Show & Play Day on June 1 st at Webb Ranch. Our next show will be the English Schooling Show on Sunday, August 3 rd also held at Webb Ranch. On August 17 th we will be putting on the 60 th Annual SMCHA Open Western/English Horse Show at the Horse Park in Woodside. This is the oldest continuous horse show in Northern California. This horse show is the only fundraiser SMCHA has during the year. Why not send in your donation today to help keep this longstanding tradition and SMCHA thriving. All donations are greatly appreciated. Check out our website for more details. Hats off to our talented Co-Chairs Cheryl Basin & Noel Moody!

Our Spring Ride to Golden Gate Park was such a roaring success that the riders demanded more group trail rides. We aim to please around here so Ride Chairperson, Nancy Kouchekey, graciously agreed to add a ride in June and another in August this year. Our June ride led us to Calero Reservoir where 20 riders set out on a leisurely stroll through the hills. The day was perfect. Next we all head with our horses to Jack Brook Horse Camp on July 25,26 & 27. If you’ve never been to Jack Brook before be sure to join us this year. It’s always a fabulous time to enjoy your 4-legged friends and your

2-legged friends while riding through the woods during the day and sitting around the campfire at night. Lots of special fun is planned for this year. Don’t miss out. Make your reservation now.

August 23 rd will find us riding through the trails of Portola Valley. We will round out our riding season with the annual President’s Ride on September 28 th. Mark your calendars now so you don’t get left behind. Next year, we hope to have group rides the months of April through October. Got a favorite destination? Let us know. We’d love to hear your ideas.

Before I conclude this message, I want to single out one SMCHA member in particular. For those who may not know, SMCHA had an award-winning Senior Color Guard for many, many years. They even took 1 st place at Cow Palace! About 6 years ago they suffered a devastating loss with the passing of their long-time member, Nancy Crowley. Our Senior Color Guard as a group never fully recovered. Eventually, all that was left were memories and 4 empty saddles. As the new President, I did some reorganizing and put my money on an energetic newcomer to the Board of Directors – Anne Whitten. She enthusiastically swung into the saddle as chairperson of our Senior Color Guard and has been running for the finish line ever since. She has put together 6 dynamic women to carry on this noble tradition. The four regular riders are Gloria Acosta, Judy Del Ponte, Krista Rodeen and Anne Whitten. The two alternate riders are Nancy Kouchekey and Nola Masterson. They are supported by a dedicated ground crew led by new member, Susan Stewart. In putting this colorful group together, Anne’s unbridled enthusiasm has been infectious. Through Anne’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication, these women now proudly fill those empty saddles. Already riding in several parades this year, this team has brought home a trophy and prize money. For more details of their successes, read Anne’s article on the Senior Color Guard elsewhere in this issue.

Anne is also developing a Drill Team. They will have had their first performance at the Western Riding Clinic Exhibition & Dinner on July 12 th. Happy to saddle up with the Drill Team are Noelle Rodolari, Susie Stewart, Debby Tucker and Barbara Stogner. Debby Tucker is a former member of the SMCHA Senior Color Guard and is the sister of Nancy Crowley. I have to believe that Nancy is looking down and watching – with a smile.

As I declared in my initial President’s Message, my vision for 2008 is to increase participation and community. With the year half over, it is gratifying to see that vision has become a reality. New members, new activities, new leaders blending together with our long-standing traditions. In this month of July, as we celebrate our nation’s independence, it is only more apparent to me how interdependent we actually are as people. Our San Mateo County Horsemen’s Association is made up of individuals coming together with a common interest – our horses. We are woven together like a beautiful quilt. If you have not yet participated in our many activities, now is the time. Come share the colors you have to contribute to our quilt.

I am proud to be your President…

Happy Trails,
Barbara Stogner
SMCHA President