First let me begin by saying that I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday and Safe New Year, and I wish each and everyone of you all the best for this coming year.  I'm very excited and honored to be serving as your 2005 President for the San Mateo County Horsemen's Association.

Back in 1939, L.C. Smith was asked by some of the San Mateo County Officials to organize a group of horsemen to take part in a parade to celebrate the First Floral Show and Fandango that was to be held at the new Bay Meadows Clubhouse in Hillsdale. The idea was to have horsemen both ride and drive horse-drawn vehicles as part of the parade. Mr. Smith anticipated that only a few people would show up for the event, but to his amazement, an estimated 300 horses showed up on the day of the parade. There were Horsemen from up and down the Peninsula, as well as the Coast Side, who could not wait to show off their fancy buggies, wagons and old family carriages. During the dance that followed that evening, L.C. Smith discussed his ideas with Don Facciolle who suggested that a Horsemen’s Association be established. The first meeting was held in 1940 with 20 to 25 members in attendance and this February we will be celebrating the 65th year anniversary of this Association.

Over the years, the names and faces may have changed, but the true heart of what the Association stands for remains the same. The San Mateo County Horsemen's Association was formed to promote an interest in horses and horsemanship throughout the County. This was to be accomplished through activities that bring about a better understanding of the proper care, training, and uses of these truly magnificent animals. Today, SMCHA sponsors activities such as organized Trail Rides, the Western Riding Clinic, Western and English Horse Shows, the Jack Brook Horse Camp event, activities for our Junior Members, Junior and Senior Color Guards, Trail Maintenance, and informational meetings for membership; to name a few. It's my goal to promote a phenomenal juniors program and to also work with the other equestrian organizations, local veterinarians, police and fire departments to establish an equestrian rescue/evacuation disaster plan.

This year, it is my one true hope that the membership takes every advantage of all that SMCHA has to offer and to make an effort to bring new members to this wonderful Association. Remember, you do not have to own a horse to become involved with the SMCHA you just need to have a love of horses and a willingness to help out; we have many volunteer positions available.

Today, the equestrian community is slowly losing its rights to the use of many of the well-established trails throughout the County and one of the most beautiful trails systems throughout the United States. We are seeing, what was once an equestrian friendly community with its beautiful pastures and barns being replaced with monster homes and tennis courts. Folks, we are also losing equestrian facilities at an alarming rate. We need to come together and work together to preserve, protect and promote trails and equestrian facilities throughout the County. Strength comes in numbers, and this Association must work hand-in-hand with the other equestrian related organizations to have a strong and unified voice if our horse related future is to survive.

I'm looking forward to working closely with this year's Board of Directors: Bill Aston (Sergeant of Arms), Cheryl Basin (2^nd Vice President/Ride Chair), Pamela Bradley, Gene Ericksen, Ann Farris, my wife Sarah Filice (First Lady), Maria Fonseca-Cole (Secretary), Brooke Fox, Kathie Goddard (Senior Color Guard Captain/Horse Shows Co-chair), Michelle Goodspeed (Treasurer), Diane Hawks, Nancy Kouchekey, Libby Kurtz (Advertising Chair), Linda Menon (Registrar/Membership Chair), Noel Moody (Horse Shows Co-chair), Larry Pelzner, Donna Poy (Trails Chair), Stan Ramirez (1^st Vice President/General Meeting Chair) and his lovely wife Denise, Tanya Rebarchik (Magazine Chair), Karen Rowley-Shawback (Western Riding Clinic Chair) and Sue Sheehan. I would like to welcome our newest Board members, Adeline Forrest (Historian), Dan Johndrow, Gretchen King, Sandy Lees, Melonie Likins, Cindy Machado, Janice Olson,  Janine O’Neill, Terri Pacheco (Juniors/Junior Color Guard Chair).

At this time I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the outgoing Board of Directors for a job well done in 2004. My thanks go out to Joel Sadler Dunlap, Virginia Magliano-Darrow (President 2003), Carol Graves, Ann Kirby (2004 Secretary), Pete Spence (2004 1^st Vice President), and JoLynn Tetzlaff.

Lastly, the equestrian community has recently lost a very special lady, Donna Tozi, the co-owner of B&D Tack in Redwood City and a Past President of SMCHA. Donna passed away on Sunday morning, January 9^th, 2005. She was a true friend to all those who had the opportunity to know her; with her warm and inviting smile she always made everyone feel welcome. She will be truly missed and my heart goes out to her husband Bruce, and her family and friends.