Well it’s the beginning of a New Year and I hope that each of you enjoyed a wonderful Holiday Season with your families and friends. I wish each and every one of you a safe, prosperous, and healthy 2006 that allows you more time to enjoy being in the saddle. 

This year, I was asked by the SMCHA Board of Directors to remain at the rein’s of this Association for another year. I must tell you that I was truly touched and honored that this Board has the faith in me to continue in this position. This Association and what it stands for is very important to me and I believe that together we have worked hard to take SMCHA to a new level. I promise you that this year we will continue to grow and expand our events, shows, and being in the forefront as advocates for the equestrian community.

I want to remind you what the SMCHA Charter states:

The San Mateo County Horsemen's Association is formed for the purpose of sponsoring, cultivating and fostering an interest in fine horses and fine horsemanship in all types of horses throughout the State of California and in the County of San Mateo in particular; to give aid and support to every type of activity concerning horses; to sponsor any activity which will further the general purpose thereof, such as, but not limited to, horse shows and parades; to assist and encourage the acquisition, building, maintenance and supervision of bridle paths, horseback trails and the rights-of-way thereof, as well as accommodations for the riders and horses thereon; and to do any and all things in furtherance of horsemen and horses.

I feel that our Association worked hard in 2005 to live up to the Charter Statement; however, we still have a lot of room to grow. We are still continuing to lose many of the well-established trails within the County. We are still seeing barns and equestrian facilities being replaced by monster homes and tennis courts. We need to now, more than ever, join hands and work side by side to preserve, protect and promote trails and equestrian facilities throughout this County and the State. As I said before, if we don’t work together to save our heritage and right to ride, we are going to lose it forever. I for one, do not ever want to have to open a book or share pictures with my granddaughter showing her how it use to be; I want her to experience the joy, fulfillment and lifestyle that we all share through our love of horses.

On a positive note, I look forward to working hard along with the 2006 Board of Director’s and the entire SMCHA Membership so that we can work to continually expand and grow our events; I think that this year will be a truly spectacular year for SMCHA. We are currently seeing a rise in the Membership and more participation by our Members with our events and activities. The Junior Membership continues to grow and their activities are once again drawing more and more of them to participate. It is wonderful to watch them establish new friendships through their activities; remember they are our future. This year’s rides will be better than ever and there is talk about adding more rides, possibly in the evenings, that will take place on a more regular and casual basis. It is my goal to have some of the rides take place on the Coastside, so that more of us can enjoy what that area has to offer. We will be working harder than ever to bring you more Informative Lecture Series on Equestrian issues. There is also some talk about having an Old Fashion Barn Dance; as well as a Team Penning Clinic for the Senior Members.  

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

I would like to welcome our newest Board members, Sharon Gloskowski, Amnon Levy, Barbara Stogner and Elizabeth Sullivan.

At this time I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the outgoing Board of Directors for a job well done in 2005. My thanks go out to Linda Menon, Donna Poy (2005 Trails Chair) and Denise Ramirez.

Lastly, this year we lost several individuals who were members of SMCHA and the Equestrian Community; please remember them in your thoughts. 

Bob Desmond (January 8^th), Donna Tozi (January 9^th), Philip J. Barbara, Jr. (April 3^rd)
and Doug Moody (December 15^th).

Our hearts go out to all of their Family and Friends; we will never forget you.

"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. "

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson~