Seven Steps for Horsetowns
These keys open doors to equine-inclusive communities
By Danielle Bolte / courtesy elcr.org
Horses bring many benefits to our local communities — including economic, ecological, and aesthetic — and they enhance our general health and well-being. Plus, horses can be local economic drivers; according to the American Horse Council 2005 National Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry Study, the equine industry accounted for 460,000 full-time jobs with an annual impact of $39 billion annually to our economy, generating $1.9 billion in taxes.
‘Meet and Greet’
San Marcos horse group introduces new parks head to equestrian community
From Horsetrader staff reports
SAN MARCOS — It was a postcard-perfect afternoon on Sept. 23 at Walnut Grove Equestrian Center — excellent for introducing the facility and its supporters to Mark Olson, who became Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of San Marcos last January. Patty Morton, President of the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association, along with other board members, led Mark on a tour of the grounds. The walk-and-talk ended in a meeting hall where additional local equestrians engaged in a town hall meeting that included a Powerpoint presentation on TOVEA, some area equestrian history, and the value of an equestrian lifestyle in a community. They also invited him to the Horse Heritage Festival and the 18th Annual Ride & Stride fund-raiser Oct. 20 at the park.
Let’s save Conejo Creek!
Survey by district agency could determine future of equestrian park
From Horsetrader staff reports
THOUSAND OAKS — Equestrians are banding together to keep horses in the future of their beloved Conejo Creek Equestrian Park.
Deadline is Dec. 6 for anyone to complete an online survey by the Conejo Recreation and Park District “to assess the entire community’s interests and needs for future use.” Here is a link to the survey: https://bit.ly/2410survey.
“It’s a horrifying thought that this could be the slippery slope of us losing our horse park in the next one to two years unless the equestrian voice is loud right now,” said local equestrian Diana Merville of Thousand Oaks.
55 years of Temecula Trailblazing
Rancho California Horsemen’s Association celebrates its success
Special to the Horsetrader
TEMECULA — Rancho California Horsemen’s Association recently celebrated 55 years as the premier equestrian organization in the Temecula Valley.
A wonderful BBQ dinner catered by South Fork and sponsored by Darrell and Brenda Cowan, a silent auction sponsored by Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles, and line dancing led by Nita Bowers were highlights of the evening which also included the awarding of an RCHA-sponsored Scholarship at Green Acres Interactive Therapy (GAIT) to Kaylee Long so she can pursue her love of riding, and the annual Friend of RCHA Award to Lorraine Harrington for her support of the equestrian lifestyle in Temecula Valley.
Orange County equestrians unite
SIGN OF THE TIMES: Young equestrians joined the April 25 demonstration at Costa Mesa City Hall against proposed boarding fee hikes at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center. (Courtesy photo)
Boarding rent hike stirs equestrian center protests at OC Fairgrounds
From staff reports
COSTA MESA — Equestrians of all ages, sizes and disciplines — many with their horses in-hand — gathered outside Costa Mesa City Hall April 25 in protest of stabling rent increases at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center. It was the most recent of multiple demonstrations over the past 18 months by local equestrians who are concerned that the big rent increases would impact and eventually lead to the closing of the facility altogether.
The effort came during a scheduled meeting of the Orange County Fair & Event Center’s Board of Directors.
Temecula celebrates new KenTina Trail
Newest leg of Wine Country Trails gets well-attended ribbon-cutting
Special to the Horsetrader
TEMECULA — Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing equestrian lifestyle in their special Riverside County region, hosted a dedication ceremony March 27 for the newest segment of the Wine Country Trails Network, the KenTina Trail.
Family, friends and equestrians on horseback gathered along Los Caballos Road to commemorate the naming of the trail for Galway Downs owners Ken and Tina Smith, two leading equestrian supporters. The Smiths, who acquired Galway Downs in 2010, earned naming rights to the trail by virtue of the winning bid in last year’s TVRL Fundraiser Gala auction.
Happy Trail!
After a long ride to completion, Temecula trail advocates celebrate
From Horsetrader staff reports
TEMECULA — Travelers along DePortola Road aren’t accustomed to big commotions on a Thursday morning, but there it was on Feb. 22: dozens of observers, several dignitaries, a mounted posse, even media.
It was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pat Ommert Trail. After 15 years of dedicated work, the stars had finally aligned and the 2.3-mile trail through Valle de los Caballos, linking Anza Road to the vineyards, would officially open.
The brightest star, legendary horsewoman and lifelong horse advocate Pat Ommert, arrived promptly at 11 a.m. — pulled at age 94 by a team of draft horses instead of Roman Riding them as she gracefully did for decades. When she cut the ribbon, flanked by Riverside County officials including Supervisor Chuck Washington, about five dozen supporters, sponsors and trail users cheered.
Getting the Scoop
Educating users on trail manure aids communities
By LYNDALL ERB, PHD. / courtesy of ELCR.org
Horses have been a critical part of human progress from the early days of our history. They have carried men and supplies in times of war and peace, pulled the plows of farmers’ fields and were the main source of transportation during the settlement of the American west. Horses were the backbone of farms, the transportation to town for supplies and social activities, and a family necessity. Historically, many trails were created by horses ridden by people who needed to get from point A to point B. Today those trails are a critical part of recreation in open spaces and parks.
Ease into easements
How trail easements support equestrian access
By LAUREL A. FLORIO / Courtesy ELCR.org
So many aspects of equine activities, such as sport horse training, ranching, or recreational riding, rely on large areas of land — be it for grazing, riding arenas, turn-out or, to a smaller degree, trail access.
Sometimes land-locked areas provide fabulous multi-use opportunities for riders to enjoy the trails. However, access often is restricted to trailer parking gateways, so the need for trail access over privately-owned land is essential to equine use. The lack of this access can minimize trail availability.
Trails are Common Ground
ELCR joins coalition launching nationwide trail etiquette campaign
Courtesy of ELCR.org
Any recreational trail user will tell you there are more people on the trails than ever before. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in particular, automated counters at trail systems around the country recorded four times as many users compared to the same time frame in 2019.
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