BEHIND THE BARN The official Newsletter of the Monterey Bay Equestrians www/montereybayequestrians.org President s Message (Labor Day celebration) Sept., 2016 Inside this issue 1 President s Message 2 Club Meeting info.... Member Birthdays.Sunshine Report 3 Editor s Notes Aug. Meeting Minutes 4 Info on Lake San Antonio 5 SCCHA Flyer 6 Upcoming Rides/Events (includes: Information about facilities, and, driving directions.) 7 Club ride/event Schedule Other dates of interest 8... List of club Officers, Board, & Chairpersons Greetings ya ll, Shoutin out a big Hey y all to all my fellow cowgirls and cowboys! Here we are in September already and 2016 is winding down! I am looking forward to what I am hoping will be a glorious Indian Summer in the next couple of months to make up for all the fog we have had this summer. Its been a very long time since I remember having so many foggy days this time of year. Please take note that I have changed the group ride for September to the 24 th and the venue from Pebble Beach to the Ft. Ord National Monument. Due to the increase in the cost for renting the Indian Village, I think we as a group need to decide whether we want to continue riding from there. More info and directions to the Marina Equestrian Center will be found later in this newsletter. Remember that we will be having our first meeting since May this September 8 th! Our meeting will be at the Watsonville Hospital location and we will have Dr. Cori Phinn as our guest speaker. We will be needing to organize a nominating committee for our November election for new Board Members and we will be needing some volunteers for our Christmas Party committee as well. So there will be a lot to do at our first meeting in 4 months! Be there and let s all get reacquainted! I think that s all I have for now, though I m sure there s something important that I am forgetting. Hoping to see all of y all either at Wright s Lake, the Sept. 8 th meeting and/or our group ride on the 24 th!!. Til then, be well and Happy Trails. Syd
Sept. Birthdays Member s Meeting Page 2 Jim Whitcomb 1 Liz Gheen 4 Roger Thompkins 6 Laura Azzaro 9 Denise Zavat 14 Roger Tompkins 16 Peggy O Shea 17 Phil McKnight 18 Laura McElwee 19 Sunnie Cunningham 24 David Johnson 26 ***Sept. meeting coming up on the second Thursday of the month, Sept. 8, 2016. Meeting to be held at the Watsonville Hosp. location. Address and time of meeting, is shown below under Sunshine Report. Sunshine Report Submitted by Liz sunshine Gheen Card sent to: *8/9 Deb Means sympathy for loss of her little doggie Skeeter *8/9 Pinto Family sympathy for loss of their cat R2 8/16 Caroline Spicher sympathy for loss of her dog Greta Bad month for pet losses. MBE monthly club meetings 2016 BOARD MEMBERS While it seems a bit early to be talking about election of 2016 board members, we are actually a little less than 3 months away from the annual November elections. At the Sept. MBE meeting, the nominating committee will be selected. If you are interested in getting involved on the Board, or want to nominate a fellow member for any board position, please come to the Sept. meeting and/or contact any one of the current board members. See the last page of this newsletter for contact information for the MBE board. The club meeting is on the 2 nd Thursday of each month. Time: 7:00 pm Place: Odd months = Watsonville Even months = Prunedale Watsonville location: Watsonville Hosp.. 75 Neilson St., Watsonville, Ca 95076 Sr. Circle Room Prunedale location: Prunedale Library 17822 Moro Rd., Prunedale, Ca. 93907
Page 3 Editor s Notes *Reminder: The club group facebook page address is: http://www.facebook.com/groups/mb Eprivate/ This is a fun place where we share info, photos, events, ride updates, newsletters, etc. among ourselves. For more info or assistance, you can contact the Facebook committee members. Contact information for board and committee members is on the last page of this & every newsletter. August Meeting Minutes NO AUGUST MEETING.
Page 4 Lake San Antonio The following is from Kathy Forgnone about re-opening of LSA. Hi Ladies and Gentlemen: Although I might have left off the names of so many who helped not only by keeping the horse camp open, but the reopening Friday, August 5 th at noon) of Lake San Antonio South Shore. By putting the letter in the local paper, we hope to generate support from everyone who wants to camp, hike, and fish again. South Shore will be open weekends through Labor Day. It was a huge show of support by the Board of Supervisors to make something happen before year end. On July 19 th, Mark Mariscal s last day, he approached the Board of Supervisor s with a proposal to re-open in April, 2017!!! This guy totally didn t get it. Supervisor Salinas let him have it by pointing his finger at him and telling him he wanted it open sooner.and reiterated that he had asked that of him on June 2 nd. Not a good send off for the former (thank God) Parks Director. Carl Holm, the interim Director has been working hard on it and clearly gets the Supervisor s expectations for San Antonio Lake. Hope it was okay to include your names but you all deserve recognition. Sorry if I left a lot of people off. June 1 st was the beginning of a new look at San Antonio Lake and its value not only to Monterey County but the surrounding Counties and their residents. Thanks again, Kathy Forgnone (Note: The following is a copy of a letter to the Editor of Rustler Newspaper from Kathy Forgnone, Friends of Lake San Antonio). Letter to the Editor The Board on the importance of Lake San Antonio to residence in addition to the negative financial impact the closing has had on South County residents. Councilman LeBarre had done his homework & knew that the proposed Budget 2016-17FY plan submitted by Monterey County Parks Dept. s outgoing Director, Mark Mariscal, included the dismantling of plumbing at North Shore, boarding up the buildings, selling off equipment, thus rendering a permanent closure of the facility. This would include the equine facility, (aka Los Robles Horse Camp), with over 80 individual horse pens, a full kitchen, arena, showers, covered BBQ area and RV hookups. (Los Robles has remained open since 2015 thanks to over 50 volunteers from five counties). Over 24 people attended the June 1 st Board of Supervisor s meeting to listen and be heard. The next Day, June 2 nd, the Board approved $850,000 in additional funds for the Parks Dept. A portion of these funds will help retain employees on an already depleted park ranger staff needed to run the Lakes. It should also be noted that at the July 19 th, Board of Supervisor s meeting discussing the re-opening, Supervisor Armenta mentioned how touched he was by the many thank you letters he received following their decision to save North Shore and efforts to re-open South Shore. Please bring your family this Friday, August 5 th at 12 noon to Lake San Antonio South Shore for the re-opening. Stay for the weekend fish, camp or hike. (Please note that boat speeds are limited temporarily due to the water level.) We hope water levels will improve for the 2016 season. In closing, additional thanks go out to Lockwood resident and avid fisherman, Rich Lingor, his wife Carolyn, Bill Obermeyer (Atascadero Horseman), Syd Blankenship and Patti Garcia (Monterey Bay Equestrians), South County Park Rangers and staff along with Carl Holm, Interim Parks Director for their expertise, and tireless work to make this happen. The limited re-opening of San Antonio Lake South Shore on weekends through Labor Day, was a perfect example of what can be done with the public s tenacity, and compromise along with excellent representation on the Board of Supervisor s. South County residents can be assured that Supervisor Simon Salinas, his Assistant Chris Lopez, and Supervisor Fernando Armenta worked very hard since May 23 rd, to make this re-opening possible. South county residents and those from surrounding counties who attended the Board meetings made voluminous calls, sent letters, and e-mails to each Board member helped make the difference!\ On June 1 st, during the Board of Supervisor s budget reviews, King City Councilman Michael LeBarre addressed
Page 5 JOIN US FOR CAMP CUT LOOSE COMING TO THE SCCHA SHOWGROUNDS Our first adults-only event full of romping, stomping revelry! Bring a friend, your other half and of course your horse! September 16 th 18 th Hosted by the Santa Cruz Horsemen s Association Organized and independent activities including: arena games, obstacle course, scavenger hunt and self-guided trail riding. A raffle with great prizes. Yummy catered dinner for both Friday and Saturday night and continental breakfast provided both mornings. Saturday keep your boots on for our after dinner activity of fun and instructive Line Dancing! Sunday morning we have a Champagne ride planned so that we can all show off how smooth a ride our equine partner is and have an excuse to drink a glass of champagne (or apple cider) of course! We will have masseuses and a photographer on site all weekend for both you and your horse (not included in the registration fee). Come ready to play hard or just kick back and relax. Camp will open at noon on Friday and end at 3:00 on Sunday. BYOB and if you d like to bring something to share for our Dessert Potluck. There will be a prize for the best dessert. Registration fee: $100.00 for members ( register now online at https://sccha.wildapricot.org/event ) Via Pay-Pal or if you prefer you can register and then send a check to: Deborah Herting 395, Manzanita Avenue, Felton, CA 95018 (Registration will not be confirmed until check is received) $125.00 for non-members (registration for non-members will open on September 1st) Questions? Please call Deborah @ 408.202-7489 or email deborah_herting@yahoo.com LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING Y ALL THERE
Upcoming Rides/Events Page 6 Sept. 1-6, 2016 Wrights Lake Campout -- Host: Liz Gheen mybailey2000@gmail.com - Phone: 831-663-6544 Driving Directions: Wrights Lake Equestrian is in the Pacific Range district, Elevation 7000 ft. (Located in the Chrystal Basin) 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 (towards Lake Tahoe). Turn LEFT onto ICE HOUSE ROAD and follow for 11 miles. Travel 9 miles east on Forest Road 32 WRIGHTS LAKE TIE ROAD and 2 miles north on Forest Road 4 WRIGHTS LAKE ROAD. Watch for sign towards Horse Camp on the right hand side of the road. If you reach the regular Wrights Lake Campground, you have gone ½ mile too far. For further details, you can check out their web site at: www.fs.fed.us/eldorado or call 530-647-5415 (campground phone). Accommodations: Camp area includes: 15 campsites for equestrians. Each campsite can accommodate up to 4 vehicles (including trailer). Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit. Located at 7000 ft level. Piped in water (bring hoses) and vault toilets available. Terrain: Variety. Moderate to steep hills (up & down) and rocky areas. Trails lead to other smaller lakes and to the Desolation Wilderness area. Sept. 24, 2016 Marina Equestrian Center, Ft.Ord Nat l Monument Ride 11:00 am Ride time. Hosts: Syd Blankeship RSVP: 831-633-3810 email: sydrose_99@msn.com Cathleen Sittig.831-578-7745 email: Happyhillranch@yahoo.com Directions: From Hwy 1 south, take the Imjin Rd exit #408. Go over the overpass, turn right on California and you will see the MEC. From Hwy 1 north, take the Imjin Rd. exit and go right on Imjin. Right on California Terrain: fairly gentle with some rolling hills and mostly dirt/sand trails. Accommodations: Water and restrooms are available at the Equestrian Center. Picnic area at the Equestrian center will be reserve for a post-ride potluck. There will be no cost for this ride. NOTE: While this day ride was originally scheduled for Pebble Beach, it was changed due to a recent price hike for the rental of the Indian Village facility in Pebble Beach, where we would park and have access to tables and rest rooms. We do hope you will all enjoy this replacement ride. And.the price is right zero.
Page 7 MBE RIDE/EVENT SCHEDULE - 2016 Date Day Location Time Host Sept. 1-6 CAMPOUT Wrights Lake, Sierra-Nevada Desolation Wilderness Sept. 24 Sat. Day Ride - Marina Equestrian Center, Ft. Ord National Monument. Liz Gheen Mybailey2000@gmail.com 11:00 am ride time Syd Blankenship Sydrose_99@msn.com Oct. 6-10 CAMPOUT Pt. Reyes Stewarts Horsecamp, Olema, Calif. Call for Res. 415-663- 1362. Camp fee = $17.50 per nite. CASH No Host Must make your own reservations Oct. 22 Sat. Day Ride -- Huddard Park, Woodside, Ca. 11:00 am ride time Doug Jones Muleman99@gmail.com Nov. 3-6 CAMPOUT Lake San Antonio Patti & Mike Garcia pattihgarcia@gmail.com Nov. 19 Sat. Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz, Ca. Day Ride 11:00 am ride time PJ & Heather Shupe toocrows@sbcglobal.net Dec. 3 Sat. Christmas Party TBD TBD Dec. 8 Thurs Special club Meeting to work on 2017 Ride Schedule. - Prunedale Library location 7:00 pm MBE board/officers PLEASE NOTE.. As a courtesy to the Ride Host, please RSVP at least 48 hours in advance via Email or Phone for day rides, and at least one week in advance for campouts. Please note that campouts with asterisk * represent places that have limited space, so the longer you wait to RSVP, the higher the risk that we run out of space for you. Day ride start times will be adhered to, so please arrive at least 1 hour in advance to check in and saddle up. Directions to each ride will be posted in our monthly MBE newsletter on the appropriate month of the event OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST: Sept. 16-18, 2016 -- Camp Cut Loose, SCCHA (See Flyer on Page 5 of this newsletter for details) Oct. 10, 2015 - WHOA Woodside Day of the Horse Downtown Woodside & Mounted Patrol Grounds Activities include: Blessing of the horse; Horse Fair @ Woodside Town Hall; Vet demos, Horse club informational booths; petting zoo; stagecoach rides; Puppet Show; Sponsor exhibits; Lots of food; AND, Progressive Trail Ride. For more info, contact WHOA (Woodside Horse Owners Assoc) at: www.whoa94062.org
Page 8 2016 MBE Officers, Board, & Chairpersons President - Sydney Blankenship 831-633-3810 Email: sydrose_99@msn.com Vice Pres. - Doug Jones Email: muleman99@gmail.com Secretary/Membership: Debra Means, 831-359-2503 Email: debmeans@gmail.com Treasurer Mike Pinto; 831-659-3315 Email: pinto@mbari.org Poker Ride Committee: Patti Garcia, Chair (food & volunteer list) Margaret Pare Prize Corral. Syd Blankenship Pres. Deb Means Cowboy Dressage contest. Trail Advocate: Nikkii Lynn Van Steenwyk **Mt Madonna** Email: nikkiilynn@gmail.com Trail Advocate: P J Myatt, 831-458-3132 Email: toocrows@sbcglobal.net ***Santa Cruz Redwoods Natl Monument*** Trail Advocate: Carrie Carr, carriecarr007@yahoo.com Sunnie Cunningham:??? Laura Azzaro: giddyupp@comcast.net ****Ford Ord Issues**** Newsletter Editor: Jan Isasi, 831-623-4915 Email: jjjisasi@sbcglobal.net Sunshine: Liz Gheen, 831-663-6544 Email: Mybailey2000@gmail.com Fashionista: Caroline Spicher 831-624-3297 Email: cspicher@sbcglobal.net Social Media Committee Chair: Doug Jones 650-224-4494 Email: muleman99@gmail.com *other committee members: Deb Means, Patti Garcia, Sydney Blankenship 2016 Nomination Committee Chair: TBA 2016 Christmas Party Committee Chair: TBA