Well, my first three months as President for the San Mateo County Horsemen’s Association have been very busy and I can’t believe that a quarter of the year is already over!  Time is either flying because I’m having a lot of fun or because I’m getting older – I think I’ll choose the first response!  January’s Kick-Off Gala and Installation Dinner was spectacular and a huge success; with over one-hundred people in attendance.  For the second year in a row, it was held at the Emerald Hills Lodge and Golf Course in Redwood City, and was catered by Dominic’s at Emerald Hills.  This year’s recipients for the Horseman/Horsewoman of the year were Rick DeBenedetti and Faye Brophy – both equally deserving of this honor.  The 2006 Board of Directors received praises and acknowledgement for their year of service to the Association; including a beautiful engraved platter from the outgoing President; Al Filice.  The incoming 2007 Board of Directors were sworn in and promised to abide by the Bylaws of SMCHA and to faithfully fulfill the duties of the office to which they have been elected.  It was an especially memorable evening for me for a number of reasons.  First, it was wonderful spending such a fantastic evening with family and friends.  Second, I had the honor of presenting the outgoing President, my husband Al Filice, his 2006 President’s buckle.  Last, but not least, I received my President’s gavel from my beloved husband, Al; the outgoing President. It was truly a night to remember.

February’s General Meeting, which was held at the STAR Equine Medical Center, was very well attended; over 50 people came to listen and learn.  Dr. Russ Peterson and his staff from Peninsula Equine gave a wonderful and informative presentation on Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), Equine Cutaneous Neoplasia and a West Nile Virus update.  The EHV-1 lecture proved to be a very timely and appropriate topic, given the outbreak on the coast-side in March.  The SMCHA membership seems to really enjoy this type of venue and we look forward to providing many more lecture presentations in the future.  Please feel free to forward us information that you are interested in learning more about and we will make every effort to incorporate that into a future General Meeting.

March was supposed to be a quiet month, with respects to what was listed on the 2007 SMCHA calendar, but it unfortunately was not.  In fact, it was a very alarming and fear-provoking time in the lives of the equestrian community.  On March 14^th, the disturbing news of an outbreak of the neurotropic form of the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in Montara was announced.  Most of us became familiar with the neurotropic form of EHV-1 when it hit the Bay Area’s racetracks or when we learned about it at the February General Meeting at STAR Equine Medical Center.  Most of us thought it would never hit us so close to home; regrettably it did and for some it hit much harder and closer. Six horses contracted the neurotropic form of EHV-1; three had to be euthanized due to the effects of the virus on their bodies, and three were responding to treatment and were expected to recover.  Our sympathy and compassion go out to all of those who have been personally impacted by this most tragic occurrence.  Fortunately the EHV-1 outbreak was limited to only six horses; but of those six, fifty-percent (50%) suffered fatal affects from the virus.  It is difficult to know how many horses lives were saved by the swift action of all those involved.  A special thanks is owed to Dr. Wayne Browning of Bayhill Equine, who treated all of the horses in Montara, for his prompt intervention and diagnosis of this deadly virus. Dr. Browning also provided me with the majority of information and updates I forwarded on to the membership and equestrian community via email.  He also generously donated two evenings (one on the coast-side and one on the inland side) where he spoke to and answered questions for members of the equestrian community regarding the EHV-1 outbreak.  I would also like to thank the following boarding facilities – Renegade Ranch, Moon Valley, Ember Ridge, Morning Star and Moss Beach Corral – for their prompt attention to this outbreak and foresight to “voluntarily” quarantine their properties.  Because of their close proximity to each other, it was imperative that these facilities all worked together to minimize the spread of this outbreak.  Temperatures were required on all of the horses at these locations twice a day for multiple weeks; which is no small feat.  For example, Moss Beach Corral has approximately 115 horses on their property; you do the math!  The diligence of everyone involved, to make sure that any sign of a problem was caught right away, was significant in keeping the virus from spreading any further. The medical staff at UC-Davis also needs to be recognized for their participation and education regarding this outbreak.   Not only did the they attempt to save the two horses that were transported to their facility, but they also performed an on-site visit and evaluation of the Montara boarding facilities that were quarantined.  Following the on-site visit, they met with members of the equestrian community to give them a briefing of their findings and educate them about the neurotropic form of EHV-1.  Lastly, I would like to thank both the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County and Moss Beach Corral for providing the locations in which to get information out to the equestrian community.  Both of these meetings were very well attended.  The meeting at Moss Beach Corral had over 70 people in attendance; with only a days notice.  The meeting at the Mounted Patrol Grounds had a few more days notice and was attended by over 200 people!  These meetings were instrumental in getting accurate information distributed and answering people’s questions.  I hope that you found my emails to the membership to be helpful, informative and somewhat reassuring during this emotional time.  I received an overwhelming and positive response from the membership and equestrian community in regards to my email letter writing campaign regarding this outbreak and I truly believe that the emails were instrumental in getting the word out to the masses.  Remember, you can only receive emails if you have provided us with an email address – please take the time to visit our website and email our “webmaster” your current email address; you won’t regret it!

I am looking forward to the remainder of the year and participating in the many events that SMCHA has to offer.  I hope you will consider working during one of the Clarkia Trail Clean-Up Days throughout the year.   Back in July of 2000, SMCHA adopted the Clarkia Trail in Edgewood Park.  SMCHA agreed to actively monitor and maintain this trail for the San Mateo County Parks Department, and it is with your assistance that we continue to make that pledge a reality.  Events like the Horsemen’s Night at the Grand National Rodeo and the Friday Nite at the Races are always a lot of fun and a favorite of everyone.  The Western Riding Clinic will once again be co-sponsored with the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County and held at the Mounted Patrol Grounds.  At this time, we have been unable to secure a location for the coast-side, but we are still searching for a site.  This eight week riding program is very well attended and a favorite amongst our membership.  Plans have long been underway in regards to the many horse shows SMCHA is putting on.  Be it the Western or English Schooling Shows or the Nor-Cal Open English/Western Show, there is something for everyone and every discipline.  There are two scheduled rides planned for the year; the Spring Ride in April and the Presidents’ Ride in October – hopefully you will be able to ride out with the group, but if you aren’t we hope you will join us for lunch.  The Jack Brook Horse Camp weekend is scheduled for July 20^th-22^nd.  This is also another favorite of our membership and a true family event.  The horse camp is a little slice of heaven in our own back yard and an opportunity not to be missed!  Plans are being discussed for future General Meetings this year and I am excited about all of the possibilities that have been presented.  The 2007 Board of Directors is working very hard at making this the best Horsemen’s Association on the Peninsula and I am very proud to be working with such wonderful and dedicated individuals.  I am looking forward to what the rest of year has to offer and can only hope it doesn’t go by too fast!

Happy Trails,
Sarah Filice
President SMCHA