It seems that the older I get, the more time just seems to slip through my fingers. I can’t believe that the year is already half way over. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything done! Thank goodness for daylight savings time, because it gives us more time to enjoy those evening rides and drives we all so love to partake in.

Even though it seemed like the rain was never going to stop, we finally have been experiencing some good traditional hot weather. Summer is officially here and I’m sure we are all welcoming it with open arms; even if it means dealing with more flies and those unbearably hot days. Just remind yourselves of those cold, windy and raining days of not so long ago and the heat won’t seem so bad.

Since we had rain so late into the season this year, we unfortunately had to cancel the first Clarkia Trail Clean-Up Day scheduled in April. The weather was just too unpredictable to go forward with the workday. Fortunately, our June clean-up day had perfect weather and a handful of SMCHA members and one park ranger spent the morning string-cutting the weeds and pruning the overgrown shrubs alongside the path. Our group may have been small, but our efforts were mighty and the Clarkia Trail looked well groomed by the time we were done; top to bottom! Our next scheduled clean-up day is in early September, so be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming flyers and emails.

This year the Grand National Rodeo was back at the Cow Palace and ran from April 7th to the 15th. A favorite evening for many is the traditional “Horsemen’s Night”; which is held the first Saturday night of the Grand National Rodeo. This year SMCHA had 100 tickets available for purchase and we sold every last one of them! Saturday is also the day for the Color Guard competition and this year my wife, Sarah, and I were asked to be Ring Stewards for the competition and for the Color Guard Opening Ceremony during the Saturday evening performance. This was a huge honor for us and we were pleased to accept the offer. SMCHA’s Junior Color Guard (Emma Francis, Jenna Likins, Britney Olson and Anna Machado) competed in the Junior Color Guard Division and did such a fantastic job that they were awarded Third Place. Way to go girls – you always do SMCHA proud! The evening performance began with the Color Guard Opening Ceremony. All of the Color Guard groups who had competed earlier that day entered the arena and were greeted with the roar of the audience. It was truly a spectacular site and a completely different experience when you are viewing it from inside the arena, on foot and making sure that everyone is having a safe and fun experience! We had a great time and are looking forward to next year’s rodeo. The evening ended with a terrific concert from “Big and Rich” with “Cowboy Troy” – the perfect cherry on top of a perfect day!

The weather also cooperated for our Spring Ride this April. Cheryl Basin, SMCHA’s 2nd Vice President and Ride Chairman, and her Ride Committee (Sue Sheehan, Adeline Forrest and Sharon Gloskowski) planned a perfect outing. Everyone met at Spring Down Equestrian Center in Portola Valley, enjoyed a wonderful continental breakfast, got their horses tacked up and then started out on a beautiful trail ride. The group was large, so we divided into two groups and rode through the lower trails of Windy Hill, then crossed Alpine Road and continued into the picturesque Coal Mine Ridge area. It was a beautiful ride and the sun was shining, so everyone had a great time. Upon our return to Spring Down, we untacked and watered our horses, and then enjoyed a hearty lunch under some magnificent shade trees. I want to extend a special “thank you” to the Ride Committee for all your hard work in making this a spectacular event and to Carol Goodstein for graciously offering Spring Down Equestrian Center as our staging and lunch location. I also wish to thank all those who rode and attended the Spring Ride; your presence and participation in events like these is what keeps this Association strong and viable.

The theme for this year’s 84th Annual May Day Parade in Woodside was “Happy 50th Birthday Woodside”! Many of the participants were very creative in their costumes, decorations and props. SMCHA’s Junior Color Guard, once again, led our group in the parade. I love driving my team of Percheron mares, Mari-Anne and Rosie, in this parade and this year they pulled our wagon with members from NCEFT in the back. I also had a special person sitting along side me during the parade; my 3 year old granddaughter, Daeja, was my companion for the day! I also want to acknowledge Danielle Bushue, my Junior Driver and Assistant, for all her hard work and dedication to my team. If you haven’t ever ridden in the Woodside May Day Parade you should strongly consider it for next year; it is a perfect venue – the route is short and there are lots of escape routes along side streets if you choose to make a quick exit!

On May 12th we organized another Friday Nite at the Races at Bay Meadows Racecourse. Seventy members and their guests gathered in the Club House to watch eight exciting horse races and enjoy a splendid all-you-can-eat buffet dinner. Since the future of Bay Meadows is uncertain, this may have been the last Friday Nite at the Races; only time will tell if we will be able to arrange another event next year. Some of us went home a little richer, some of us with a little less change in our pocket, but we all had a great time either way!

The Western Schooling Show and Play-Day was held on May 21st at Webb Ranch. Unfortunately, Sarah and I were unable to make the event this year, but we heard it was a huge success and very well attended. Many thanks to Kathie Goddard and Noel Moody, the Horse Show Chairwomen, and the Horse Show Committee for all their efforts and hard work in putting on such a spectacular event. I’m looking forward to August when the English Schooling Show, held at Webb Ranch, and the Nor Cal Open English/Western Show, held at the Horse Park at Woodside, takes place.

The 36th Annual Western Riding Clinic is in full swing over at the Mounted Patrol Grounds in Woodside. SMCHA and the San Mateo County Mounted Patrol launched the riding clinic back in 1970 and it has been a favorite of SMCHA members ever since its inception. The Clinic’s chairperson, Karen Rowley-Shawback, and the instructors (Jason Attard, Joan McLaren and Noel Moody) have done an outstanding job so far this year; I have heard nothing but great feedback from the participants. There are only a few more clinic days left before the big Saturday night barbecue dinner and show held on July 15th; it’s hard to believe it’s almost over! If you haven’t ever participated in the clinic, you should consider it for next year. Even though it says “Western” Riding Clinic, you can also ride using “English” tack; the instructors don’t mind one bit!

I hope you have taken the time to enjoy all the wonderful opportunities San Mateo County has to offer us equestrians. Go out and ride through Wunderlich and Huddart Parks, ride up the Clarkia Trail in Edgewood Park, take a stroll through Windy Hill, enjoy horse camping during our week at the Jack Brook Horse Camp, take a ride through Portola Valley or Woodside, go over to the Coast and ride through the many beautiful trail systems they have to offer or take a ride along the beach. In this crazy hustle and bustle world, nothing helps unwind us better than the time we can spend with our four legged friends; except when it includes more friends and their horses too!

Al Filice
President SMCHA