Lake County Horse Council Journal 2016 volume 1

2016 Volume 1

Wet Weather Riding in Lake County LCHC January Membership Meeting ~ HAW Christmas~ LCHC Poker Ride Stay Safe Event 2016 ~ SCE Gymkhana Buckle Series ~ Lake County Challenge of Champions Qualifiers

When was the last time you had your horse or stock trailer in for “grease & pack bearings� service?

A well-maintained trailer is a safer trailer

Call CARLTON TIRES today!

Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

Contact: Lake County Horse Council P.O. Box 1551 Kelseyville, CA 95451 707-263-3899 2015-2016 LCHC Board of Directors Visit www.LakeCountyHorseCouncil.com for Board profiles President: Carol Maxwell ~ cjcmaxwell@yahoo.com 263-3899 Vice-President: Barbara Kroboth ~ Bmerrybey@aol.com 279-2429 Secretary: Jaxan Christensen ~ jaxanc@yahoo.com 489-4382 Treasurer: Alice Chevalier ~ cahorse@sbcglobal.net 349-1929 Directors: Carleene Cady ~ carleenejcady@gmail.com 349-1993 Sally Green ~ baliusfarm@gmail.com Dave Lowrie ~ dalow46@yahoo.com

279-9595 272-1248

Mike Riley ~ themikeriley@gmail.com 279-0343 Dave Roush ~ blueyejan@hotmail.com 235-7716 Carol Thorn ~ drthorn80@sbcglobal.net 349-6847 Donna Thornton ~ 707-987-3964 LCHC Committee Chairs Executive Committee ~ Carol Maxwell Finance Committee ~ Alice Chevalier Membership Committee ~ Kim Riley Trails Committee ~ Dave Lowrie and Karen Sullivan Historian Donna Thornton 707-987-3964 Communications / Social Media Calendar— Kim Riley 279-0343 kimriley58@gmail.com Journal Editor –Brenna Sullivan brenna.reese.sullivan@gmail.com Website & Facebook – Kim Riley 279-0343 kimriley58@gmail.com Advisors/Advisory Groups Disaster Rescue -Lynette Bertelli, 279-2125 Dressage -Dave Claus, 998-9564 Dressage/Driving -Sally Green, 279-9595 Trail Safety -Carleene Cady

Inside this Issue President’s Message, Mission Statement

4

Editor and Professional Tip

5

Wet Weather Riding

6

LCHC January Membership Meeting

9

Highland Springs Poker Ride

12

HAW Christmas Caroling in Kelseyville

14

LCHC Stay Safe Event

16

SCE Gymkhana Buckle Series

17

Challenge of Champions Qualifiers

18

Businesses that Support the Lake County Horse Council

19

Businesses Con’d.

20

Local Calendar of Events

21

Membership Renewal Form

22

Cover Photo Alice Chevalier and companions enjoy a gorgeous view of Mt. Konocti and Clear Lake from the hills above Upper Lake.

BACK COVER: Horses offer wonderful therapy for the body and mind.

Photos by Alice Chevalier

To stay current with Lake County equine events, check out our Facebook page “Lake County Horse Council”, and our website, www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com

The Lake County Horse Council is incorporated as a non‐profit, public benefit, membership organization under California Corporations Code sections 5000‐9927 and IRS tax‐exempt status of IRC 501(c)(3). All donations are 100% tax deductible. © Lake County Horse Council. All rights reserved. The Lake County Horse Council is a non-profit volunteer organization. This journal is published for informational purposes only, and has been written and edited in good faith with no willful, negligent, malicious, or fraudulent activity in mind. * * * Please contact us with any errors or omissions. * * *

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Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

President’s Message Our members make a difference! I want to recognize some members who have stepped up.

A big welcome to Alice Chevalier, Dave Roush, and Carol Thorn to the LCHC Board of Directors, and congratulations to Barbara Kroboth, Dave Lowrie, Mike Riley, and Donna Thornton on their re-election. Jaxan Christensen, Carleene Cady, Sally Green and I continue on for this year. Following October’s election, we juggled some offices. Barbara is now our Vice President, and Alice is our new Treasurer.

We all send out a huge thanks to Julie Ore for auditing the Horse Council books this past fall. Our books passed the audit with flying colors and now, thanks to the work Julie, Barbara, and Alice did this winter, we have a streamlined system that should make the Treasurer’s work much easier than in the past.

In the fall of 2014, I asked each of you to think about the skills, talents, and interests you bring to this organization. I hope you know you are welcome and wanted at BOD meetings, where we shape our future and find solutions for our problems.

Some of the most crucial work of the Horse Council is done by members who come to meetings, plan events, and carry out projects. You don’t have to be a member of the Board to make a difference to our horse community through the Council.

Brenna Sullivan—yes, that busy woman at the Farm Bureau helm—has taken on the editorship of our Journal, and she’s going at it like gangbusters! I look forward to seeing the impact of her energy, enthusiasm, and expertise.

I still believe that the more members participate in the Council’s efforts, the more we will accomplish. So, please take the time to think what you can do, what you want to do, what you’d like to see the Horse Council do—and then come work with us!

As before, I look forward to seeing you on the trail, in the arena, at gatherings—and in meetings!

Read the Journal online in full color! http://issuu.com/lakecountyhorsecouncil Hint: bookmark the above LCHC ISSUE HOME PAGE for easy access to current and past issues of the JOURNAL.

We welcome submissions of articles, photographs or any Lake County horserelated topic to the Journal!

Please email brenna.reese.sullivan@gmail.com if there is something you would like to see in the next newsletter!

The Lake County Horse Council’s Mission is to:      

Promote and preserve the horse as agriculture, industry, and recreation Inform the public about horse community goals, projects, and events Promote educational programs for the horse industry Support private and public equine facilities and activities Serve as liaison between the horse industry, the community, and government agencies Promote all aspects of the equine industry

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When Deb Bauman asked me to take over editing the Lake County Horse Council Journal, my first thought was, “I have some big shoes to fill!” The quality and quantity of information, photos and trivia that Deb has packed into every Lake County Horse Journal over the past few years is laudable. She attended many equestrian events around the county to accurately represent the diverse community we are! From carriage events to gymkhanas; trail rides to horse shows; dressage to team penning; parades to seminars, Lake County equestrians participate in a wide array of activities! She told me that her efforts would be worthwhile if just one person from outside the county saw her beautiful publication and decided “This is a place to move with my horses!”

I will continue on in that mission to use the Lake County Horse Council Journal to showcase our diverse equestrian community and the stunning natural beauty of the areas we get to ride in. On behalf of the Lake County Horse Council and the entire equestrian community, I wish to thank Deb for her excellent work in editing the Journal the past few years. On the right hand side, are some of Deb’s journal covers over the last two years. I hope we will continue to see Deb Bauman’s beautiful photographs on the front cover from time to time! ~ Brenna Sullivan

Professional Trainer Tip: “I don't want you to be a wimp or a barbarian. I want you to be effective, and to stay in the middle of the scale. If you want your horse to understand what you're asking him to do, you have to be effective. The best way to turn your horse into a willing partner is to be a great leader. How do you become a great leader? By being black and white with no shades of gray. You'll make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.”

Clinton Anderson, Downunder Horsemanship

Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

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Wet Weather Riding Avoid the muddy trails and opt instead for these winter riding opportunities!

Lake County has received much-needed rain this winter thanks to El Nino. While the wet weather is wonderful for our creeks, reservoirs and ground-water aquifers, it also means we are surrounded by a saturated landscape. During extreme weather, Lake County trails are highly susceptible to erosion and gullying weather due to their soil type. Horse and bike traffic can exacerbate the problem ten-fold. Remember to be respectful of our unique trail systems; avoid riding them if there is any chance that they are wet or muddy and always mind trail closure signs. Fortunately, we live in a place with many winter riding opportunities!

Too access Mt. Konocti, take Konocti Rd. past the high school in Kelseyville and continue to Mt. Vista Middle School. There is a pullout along the left-hand side of the Mt. Vista Middle School road.

Dirt Roads For riders itching to get out onto the ‘trail’, Lake County has miles and miles of dirt roads to explore. Toll Road follows the old stagecoach route up and over the Mayacama Range to Hopland. Expect some road traffic, but drivers are usually more than courteous. From the end of the pavement, it is 5 miles to the top, 7 miles to Sheldon Creek Camp and 14 miles over to Hopland. To access Toll Rd, take Highland Springs Rd. off Hwy 29 and

A view of Big Valley and Clear Lake near the gate on Mt. Konocti

In the north end of the Clear Lake, there are riding opportunities up Elk Mountain Road and Bartlett Springs Road. Both offer steady climbs, beautiful views and good winter conditioning for your horse. Bartlett Springs Road is located between Nice and Lucerne. Parking is tight along the side of the road, but there is also a wide parking area available right along HWY 20. Bartlett Springs climbs 6.5 miles to the top and offers some of the most sweeping views of the lake. Pinnacle Rock is another 2 miles from the top and is a great lunch stop for the adventurous. Bring a rump rug for your horse if you plan to stop at the top, as the wind can be chilly. The lower third of the road is rocky, with good footing near the top. Expect some vehicle and off-road traffic, although vehicle drivers are usually courteous in the winter.

A group of equestrians on the Old Toll Road, 1997

hang a right at the ‘Y’. Continue down the road until the pavement ends. There is a pullout for your rig on the righthand side.

Mt. Konocti is another option for equestrians in the Kelseyville and Lakeport areas. While horses can currently only ride 3 miles up to the gate, it is a steady climb for the and offers spectacular views along the way.

Since the park opened, there has been a general increase in vehicle traffic on the weekend, but weekdays are usually quieter.

Sweeping views of Clear Lake greet riders up Bartlett Springs Rd.

Page 7 In the south end of the Lake County, there is Knoxville Rd. which is located 13 miles out Morgan Valley Rd. out of Lower Lake. This road accesses the BLM Knoxville Recreation Area, which is home to a lot of OHV use. Expect vehicle and OHV traffic up Knoxville Rd towards the campground.

High Valley Road is another dirt road located above Clearlake Oaks at the end of High Valley past Brassfield Winery. High Valley Road connects to Bartlett Springs. It is best to check rig parking beforehand.

The Lake County Fairground has a covered arena that is open to public riding as well. In the winter time, availability is limited due to go-cart races, but the arena is otherwise open for equestrian use. Before you go, call the Lake County Fairgrounds for fee and availability at 2636181.

Covered Arenas There are many covered arenas owned by private boarding stables in the county that are available for public use for a fee. The following do not necessarily reflect all covered arenas in the county.

Kelseyville/Lakeport: Highland Springs Equestrian Center features a stateof-the-art covered dressage and lesson ring with good footing in a beautiful setting. Plan on calling ahead and checking availability, as well as trailer access and parking. Nonboarder arena fees are $15 per day. Helmet and waiver are

Call ahead to check availability at the fairgrounds

Middletown/Lower Lake Oak Creek Ranch is located on Spruce Grove Road in Lower Lake and features a beautiful covered arena.

Lessons are also available. Contact Kathy Jefferson at 995-3907.

Oak Creek Ranch

Highland Springs Equestrian Center’s indoor arena

required. Contact Julianna Vidich at (707) 279-1903.

M Square Farms is located on Bell Hill Rd and has a covered jumping arena which is open to the public. Price to

The Middletown Community Arena is uncovered but is an excellent resource for local equestrians. Visit http://www.middletowndays.org/ for more information on the Middletown Central Park Association.

Upper Lake The C Bar A ranch is located off Highway 20 in Upper Lake and features a large covered arena with great footing open to riding by the public. The C Bar A is located on 1050 E State Hwy. Contact Alice, cahorse7@gmail.com, or 707-349-1929 for availability and fee.

Indoor arena at M Square Farms

ride is $15. Contact Monica at 707-279-1032.

Cole Creek Equestrian Center has a beautiful facility and covered arena for boarder use only. Contact Joanne Van Eck at: 707-279-0915.

Gaddy Shack Ranch’s arena is available for riding as well. It is not covered, but the footing is high quality and dries quickly. Contact Debbie James at: http://www.gaddyshackranch.com/contact-us.html

The C Bar A Arena

Wet Weather Riding (cont’d on page 8)

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Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

Wet Weather Riding (cont’d from page 7) Riding to ‘Town’ Riding into town and on the roads in Lake County can be a fun experience when done safely and responsibly. The California Vehicle Code states that horses and horse-drawn vehicles are subject to all laws and regulations of the road; also that vehicles must slow and look to the rider for direction before proceeding. Being clear, consistent and polite when communicating with vehicle traffic on the road will help ensure that Lake County drivers remain friendly and accommodating to equestrians.

Riding in Upper Lake Photo: Deb Bauman

We are lucky to live in a unique area where we may still ride our horses into town! In order to preserve the friendly relationship business owners and residents have with the equestrian community, please follow these simple rules of etiquette when riding into town:

When riding the roads: Wine-tasting in Kelseyville









 Properly train and prepare your horse to be bombproof in and around traffic, flags, loud noises, dogs and all types of obstacles.

Be courteous and polite to  drivers; make eye contact and wave them by.

Make use of bridle paths when possible and travel  at a safe speed Be mindful of your route and its traffic use

When riding in town: It is polite to remove manure in town and in front of businesses. A cheap dust pan can be tied to the saddle. Garbage bags with manure can be disposed of in a dumpster.

Keep control of horse at all times. If tying, only use well-broke horses that are unlikely to get loose.

Expect that people will be interested! Be a good equestrian ambassador and engage the public.

Between the dirt roads, covered arenas and rural country roads and towns of Lake County, there are plenty of places to ride this winter that allow us to enjoy our horses while preserving and protecting our wet trail systems!

Claiche horses tied up outside Lyndall’s Sports Stop. Photo: Denise Claiche

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Timely Useful and Interesting: LCHC January Membership Meeting

By Carol Maxwell and Jaxan Christensen Have you wondered what’s going on at Boggs? Are you familiar with the work done by the Back Country Horsemen? Do you know what changes the BLM is planning for Cow Mountain? Would you like to be able to hire an equine therapist to treat your animals? The January LCHC membership meeting brought together a lively group of horsemen to consider these issues, and learn about problems and opportunities associated with them from speakers Carleene Cady, Lisa Deas, Karen Sullivan, and Marta Williams.

LCHC Meeting Panel

Carleene Cady – Boggs Mt. Carleene began her presentation by giving the group a sense of the history and characteristics of Boggs Mt. State Demonstration Forest (Boggs). Boggs is presently closed to the public due to safety concerns following the Valley Fire.

Logging has begun to remove trees that pose a hazard. At present, foresters evaluate each fire-damaged tree to determine removal by inspecting the wood underneath the bark to determine whether the tree is still viable. In late January when Carleene was reporting, harvesting had been suspended due to the rains. Once the area dries out sufficiently, harvesting will resume. Up to 90% of the remaining trees will need to be removed for safety reasons. Prior to the Valley Fire, extensive logging at Boggs was planned, because 70% of the trees had beetle infestation. As devastating as this all seems, the bright side is, there are now some terrific views of the surrounding area from Boggs’ trails.

Rangers hope to re-open Boggs to the public by the end of this summer. The Equestrian Camp will be rebuilt in the same location as before, all the trails will remain, though some may be re-routed. New trail markers are under development. FEMA funding will be used to rebuild the Equestrian Camp bathroom, water tank, and trough.

Plans are underway to begin re-planting the area next winter and spring, and rangers will be looking for volunteers from the community to help with that endeavor. The new trees will include a variety of species, and will be planted farther apart than those in the forest that burned. Meanwhile, Jackson Demonstration Camp in Mendocino County encompasses about 50,000 acres and has a good horse camp, and a fully developed trail system. Napa County has a smaller Research Demonstration Area of about 200 acres, which is not open for any public use.

Lisa Deas – Back Country Horsemen and Leave No Trace Lisa wears three hats for the Back Country Horsemen (BCH). She’s their Vice-President, Webmaster, and Education Manager. She opened her presentation by giving us background on the inception of wilderness trail advocacy in California. In the 1980's commercial packers in the Sierras became alarmed at the number of trails being transferred to Federal authorities for land management. This change brought about limitations on public use, especially the use of stock.

To address this, over the last 20+ years, the BCH has developed a lobby with a substantial presence in Washington.

They have proposed a Senate Bill, The National Trail Stewardship Act, and have worked diligently with wilderness rangers to keep wilderness areas open and accessible.

Lisa is a 'Leave No Trace' trainer through the Center for the Outdoors. She teaches and presents her 7-point program outlining principles of good public land stewardship to schools, 4-H, and other youth organizations. Her 7-point outline is:  Plan ahead and prepare where you will camp, and how you will prepare and cleanup food.  Remember to drive and ride on durable surfaces only. Travel ing on soft, muddy areas can cause severe erosion  Plan to remove and dispose of all waste responsibly.  Leave what you find as you found it. Do not stack rocks at trail sides (in cairns or ducks).  Minimize your campfire impact.  Respect all wildlife by not feeding any of the animals.  Be considerate of all trail users.

Leave No Trace

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Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

The audience questioned Lisa about protocol for packing in feed and disposal of manure. She said pelleted feed was preferred, and advised scattering manure.

Lisa showed sample posters that can be placed in prominent areas to raise safety awareness among hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Both posters used clever visuals to portray the emotional impact of other trail users on horses.

Before the Valley Fire, Friends of Boggs presented bike and horse workshops. At that time, BCH began a project to provide bells for bikers to attach when riding on public trails to alert other users to their presence. Such bells could also be used by hikers and equestrians, as a courtesy. The bells have support from the International Mountain Bike Association, however, there are mixed feelings on both sides about their use and effectiveness.

We were all reminded that the definition of safety is different for everyone, and communication between groups is essential. These steps could be repeated, or built upon, to promote mutual support for improving safety on our trails.

Karen Sullivan – Highland Springs and Cow Mountain Karen has been working on the Highland Springs (HS) trail system for 10 years. In late October, the trail system was closed due to winter weather conditions. Unfortunately, signs indicating the closure were not posted at that time, and people continued to use the trails. This use, along with the weather, damaged trails and accelerated deterioration in some places.

Fortunately, our new contact in Water Resources, Mark Miller, intervened. He and the HS caretaker installed signs closing the trails in December. He appears willing to take an active hand in some of the wet weather issues that have plagued HS. Should there be any issues at HS, including problems with personnel, please contact Mark Miller. His contact information is mark-miller@lakecountyca.gov , (707) 263-2344 or 272-0769 (cell).

The audience and speakers discussed the triangular metal 'Yield to Horse' trail markers that IMBA donated through a former manager of Water Resources. Members would like to see them installed. Karen said that hard surface areas like The Old Toll Road are still available for use during the winter months. Riding and driving in those areas is acceptable, but roadside parking is poor, due to the rains, heavy truck use, and material heaped onto the pull out area just before the pavement ends. As of February 8th, the road itself is quite muddy for about 100 yards before the new bridge.

Karen gave updates on BLM meetings held last fall and winter concerning North and South Cow Mountain trail areas (Cow Mt.). As a result of those meetings, the BLM prepared a lengthy report, 'Cow Mountain Recreation Implementation Plan'. A summary of this Plan was presented by BLM in Lakeport via power point presentation, and attended by horse council members. Karen reviewed the actual draft plan as it affects equestrians.

The Plan addresses various safety concerns: overgrown trails, poor parking, and lack of trail markings. The BLM aims to assess the trail system annually and do maintenance every two years. The Plan calls for recruiting volunteer help in clearing downed trees and brushing back trials. This is a very good opportunity for local equestrian groups to get involved. If volunteer work is coordinated with the BLM, and volunteer groups report the hours they’ve worked, the BLM will be able to count the value of those hours to win grants that can support their trail work at Cow Mt. BLM representative, Sarah Mathews, indicated that new North Cow trails will be constructed to suit different kinds of users—some loops are planned to suit mountain bikers, others will suit equestrians. The plan includes developing up to 40 miles of new trails at each North and South Cow Mountain, as well as rerouting a number of problematic trails. The beginning of Glen Eden trail at Scotts Valley Road has always been equestrian and hiker only, due to easement requirements. Consequently, the Plan includes a new mountain bike trailhead at a different location on Scotts Valley Road, to access a 12-mile bike-friendly loop. Several parts of the trail system, such as Mayacamas and Valley View, will be redesigned to accommodate horses, as they are currently not safe for equestrians. The Plan also allows for the possibility of a trailhead at Blue Lakes in the future.

Mathews noted that South Cow allows equestrian use. However, because of the heavy use there by Off Road Vehicles, and the possibility of collisions, equestrians are not encouraged to ride there, except in a few areas.

Updated Federal Regulations do not allow access to spring or above ground water. This excludes the water source that has been used in the past for the trough at Mayacamas camp. The BLM planners would like to develop an alternative water source to keep a trough available in that area.

Karen encouraged the LCHC Trails Committee to review the BLM draft Plan, offer to volunteer in some areas, and advocate for equestrians. She pointed out that there are some unclear issues, and recommended that the Trails Committee discuss these with BLM. A summary of the parts of the plan that affect equestrians will be posted on the Lake County Horse Council website shortly. For a full copy of the Plan, please visit the BLM website at http:// www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah.html.

Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

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Marta Williams – Access to Alternative Therapies Marta represents the California Alliance for Animal Owners Rights (CalAAOR.com), a coalition of animal owners, veterinarians, and alternative/complementary care practitioners organized to support owners’ access to non-veterinary care for their animals. The California Veterinary Medical Board (Vet Board) is developing regulations concerning the use of such practices on animals.

Under the Vet Board’s proposed regulations “animal rehabilitation” may be defined as potentially all animal care practices, and the regulations may require that animal rehabilitation be performed only by a veterinarian or veterinary staff. At present, the definition of animal rehabilitation appears to be so broad as to include practices like massage, water therapy, laser and magnet treatments, and nutritional advice given by pet store personnel or supplement suppliers.

Virtually any kind of animal care activity for companion, farm, and rescue animals, including care that groomers, trainers, pet sitters, farriers, and ranch hands provide, would fall under this definition.

Such restrictions have already been put in place by the veterinary boards in other states. If the regulations, which are still being developed, are passed, anyone practicing anything defined by the Vet Board as animal rehabilitation would be subject to fines and civil actions.

Vet Board members in California are appointed, not elected. Vet Board members have full authority to implement regulations without a vote by the public or legislative oversight. Although there has been substantial public outcry, the Vet Board continues to draft these regulations.

Other states, such as Illinois, have solved the issue by passing legislation that allows for non-veterinary care of animals if the person providing the care has the client fill out an informed consent waiver. This is the approach that CalAAOR is promoting for California.

HC members asked where the line was drawn between veterinary medical procedures and alternative therapies.

Marta responded by citing the solution used in the Illinois legislation: the individual or agent does not represent himself or herself as a veterinarian or use any title associated with the practice of veterinary medicine or surgery and does not diagnose, prescribe drugs, or perform surgery. The Illinois legislation requires wording in alternative therapists’ waivers stating that they do not engage in these activities.

Audience members asked whether the Vet Board might consider implementing an independent licensing board for these providers. Marta responded that that is not what the Board is proposing. She explained that they want to eliminate all such practitioners, not support them.

A few years ago the Vet Board passed regulations to make it a civil violation for chiropractors, animal dentists, and acupuncturists to work on animals unless a veterinarian is present. Now, Marta argued, the Vet Board seems intent on making it a civil violation for any layperson to work on animals in any capacity, unless the work is done at no charge. She encouraged members to go to the CalAAOR.com website for complete information and for the link to CalAAOR on Face Book. You can become a coalition member as an individual or business, and your group or organization can join the coalition, as well.

If we want alternative care practitioners available, if we want them to be able to practice in our state, we need to show the California Legislature that we want a bill to protect their right to practice and our right to choose alternative care for our animals.

Audience listens to presentations

Boggs Mountain before the fire

Boggs Mountain after the fire

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By: Kim Riley. October 10, 2015.

If you have never been on a combination horseback ride-trail rally-scavenger hunt-poker ride, then you have missed out on a one-of-a kind event! What started out being called The Great Highland Springs Scavenger Hunt & Trail Rally (with a Poker Ride on the side), has been shortened down to always being called the Highland Springs Poker Ride.

Yes, it sounds complicated but it’s really not and it’s a lot of fun! Basically, you get a map and you get clues to various places on the map. Each place has a basket of tokens. Bring back as many of the different tokens as you can and exchange them for poker chips and then play against the house. Best hand gets first choice of many great prices and so on down the line. Also, a prize for worst hand!

Mike Riley and Brian Claiche man the sign-in table

Our last Poker Ride, October 10, 2015 was a great success with upwards of 30 riders that went off in groups of 2-6 riders with map in-hand, having solved the clues and having great hopes of finding all of the tokens. Upon their return, poker was played, prizes were won, and a potluck feast followed.

Don’t miss out on this years The Great Highland Springs Scavenger Hunt & Trail Rally (with a Poker Ride on the side)…OK, OK, don’t miss out on this year’s Highland Springs Poker Ride, Saturday, October 8, 2016!

For more information on the Highland Springs Poker Ride, please check out the Horse Council website at www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com and practice your poker hand luck for next year!!

Right: Post-ride in the shade of the beautiful oak trees

Wendell Wells, Carleene Cady and Huia Pope

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Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

A young participant heads out on the trail

Pretty in pink!

Debbie Grinols leads the way

Barbara Claiche picks up a card

Barbara and Denise Claiche on Spirit and Magic

The Poker Ride Prize Table!

Wendell Wells gives his horse a drink

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Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

Christmas Caroling in Kelseyville On December 13th, 2015, the Lake County Hooves and Wheels Carriage Club met in Kelseyville to spread the holiday cheer! Horseback riders accompanied the carts and carriage around town where they played music and sang Christmas music. Many people were excited to meet and greet the horses. The HAW club was happy to spread the festive cheer!

Sally Green. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Carol Biggs and Leia Gibson play Santa. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Main Street, Kelseyville. Photo: Karen Sullivan

Carol Maxwell and Judy Mitchell Photo: Bobbi Eral

Carol Biggs and Leia Gibson. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Carol Biggs and Trooper. Photo: Bobbi Eral

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Meeting the horses. Photo: Karen Sullivan

Meeting the horses. Photo: Karen Sullivan

Boopy. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Leia Gibson holding Brunhilde. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Peace on Earth with Sally Green. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Trooper leads the way down Main Street. Photo: Bobbi Eral

Sally Green’s festive mini. Photo: Bobbi Eral

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2015 SCE Buckle Series. Photo: SCE

(Dates)

( Age Groups)

March 19, 2016 Play Day Sign ups: 8:30 AM Start Time: 10:00AM

June 4, 2016 3rd Gymkhana Sign ups: 7:30 AM Start Time: 9:00AM

Leadline/Walk-Trot, 9 & Under, 10-13, 14-17, 18-29, 30-49 and 50 & Better

April 9, 2016 1st Gymkhana Sign ups: 8:30 AM Start Time: 10:00AM

July 2, 2016 4th Gymkhana Sign ups: 7:30 AM Start Time: 9:00AM

Poles, Bi-Rangle, Speed Barrels, Mystery, Barrels.

May 21, 2016 2nd Gymkhana Sign ups: 8:30 AM Start Time: 10:00AM

(Events) $25.00 for the day or $5.00 each event

(More Info)

August 14, 2016 5th Gymkhana SCE Membership: $25.00/person. $5.00 each Sign ups: 7:30 AM additional family member.

Start Time: 9:00AM

(Contact): Vicky Schmidt: 494-4929 Sandi Hall: 355-1150 Jen Easter : 494-4931 Michelle Mackey: 355-0893

Middletown Central Park Arena 15299 Central Park Rd. Middletown, CA 95461

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Lake LakeCounty CountyHorse HorseCouncil CouncilJournal Journal~~2016 2016Volume Volume11

Four Lake County Students Qualify for High School Rodeo Challenge of Champions Four students from Lake County recently qualified for the High School Rodeo Challenge of Champions Invitational Rodeo in Plymouth, California on March 18-20, 2016. This is a statewide rodeo that has been ongoing for the last 20 years in Plymouth. Prior, it was held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. The Challenge of Champions invites the top three competitors in each event. The 16 qualifiers from the North Coast’s District 2, attend junior high and high school in Calistoga, Ukiah, Willits, Petaluma, Santa Rose and Lake County.

Hailey Riedel, from Middletown, qualified in team roping as a header. Sydney Browning, who is also from Middletown, qualified in barrels and pole bending. Ray Mayo, a student at Lower Lake High School, qualified in bull riding and Emily Mayo from Clearlake qualified in pole bending.

The Lake County Challenge of Champions qualifiers join CHSRA Queen Gracie Pachie of Middletown, who will attend the Challenge of Champions as part of her State High School Rodeo Queen duties. Each District has a Queen who attends State Finals to compete for the Miss CHSRA title in June. The contestants compete in Horsemanship, Speech, Modeling, Interview, Written Test, Personality and Appearance. Gracie Pachie was crowned in June 2015 and will continue to serve to promote the CHSRA through the end of the school year as well as represent Middletown on a statewide level.

The Challenge of Champions is a mid-season rodeo which will give competitors an idea of where they stand heading into District and State finals.

The CHSRA District 2 schedule can be found at http://www.chsradist2.com/

(photo: Kymberlee Nelson) District 2 qualifiers (left to right, top to bottom): Ray Mayo, Chance Collins, Anthony Hawkins, Austin Schoenhofer, Quintin McWhorter,Lauren Luna, Shanna Gayski, Hailey Riedel, TĂŠa Greene, Jesse Preyer, Emily Mayo, Sydney Browning, Gianna Cianfichi, Caitlyn Wood, Josie Collins , Lucy Moore, CHSRA Queen Gracie Pachie

(photo: Kymberlee Nelson)

Sydney Browning, Middletown

(photo: Kymberlee Nelson)

Hailey Riedel, Middletown

(photo: Kymberlee Nelson)

Gracie Pachie, CHSRA Queen, Middletown (photo: CHSRA)

Emily Mayo, Clearlake

Ray Mayo, Clearlake

Please Support These Businesses That Support the LCHC A&B Collision (Clearlake) 994-8800 Ag Unlimited (Kelseyville) 278-3131 Animal Hospital of Lake County

(Clearlake) 995-1138

Bamboo and Bit Exchange (HVL) 355-0358 Black Horse Tack (Redwood Valley) 485-0347 Carlton Tires

(Lakeport)

263-6770

Clear Lake Redi-Mix (Lakeport) 263-5297 Cole Creek Equestrian Center (Kelseyville) 279-0915 Cowgirl Consignment (Lakeport)

Fischer Development (Kelseyville) 350-0155 Highland Springs Equestrian Center (Kelseyville) 279-1903 Holdenreid Harvesting

(Kelseyville)

hawkandhorsevineyards.com

John’s Market (Kelseyville) 279-2440 Lake County Farm Bureau

(Lakeport)

263-0911

Lake County Rodeo Association (Lakeport) Lake County Wine Studio (Upper Lake) 275-8030 Middletown Animal Hospital (Middletown) 987-2000 Mt.Konocti Truck & Auto Repair

(Kelseyville) 279-1974

Rancho de la Fuente (Lakeport) 263-3160 RB Peters (Lakeport) 263-3678 Soul 2 Soul (Kelseyville) 279-0732 Tallman Hotel/Blue Wing Saloon (Upper Lake) 275-2244 TNT Storage (Kelseyville & Lower Lake) 279-9090 U.C.C. Rentals

(Lakeport)

263-6488

Wildhurst Vineyards (Kelseyville)

Page 20

Rancho Californio Celebrating Los Californios and California’s Golden Era Rare Spanish-Era Breed Preservation Living History Presentations Horse Training “Jaquima a Freno” Doma Vaquera / La Garrocha

www.californio.us

Lake County Horse Council Journal

Page 21

LAKE COUNTY HORSE COUNCIL – CALENDAR OF LOCAL EQUINE EVENTS

Ongoing or Multi-Date Events LCHC Board Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month, meeting starts at 6pm at Kelseyville Pizza Back Country Horsemen Lake Mendo Unit: Quarterly meetings at Round Table Pizza, Lakeport. Paul Villanueva 263-0147 or villan13@pacific.net California Dressage Society - Highland Springs Equestrian Center. Juliana Vidich 279-1903 Redwood Empire Quarter Horse Association Team Penning - see Facebook page for new events SCE Gymkhanas—Middletown Central Park Arena, Info Vicky Schmidt 707-494-4929 White Dog Ranch Events—Potter Valley 707-743-9973 www whitedogranch com Hooves and Wheels Carriage Club-various events throughout the year for HAW members including summer evening drives at Highland Springs, desensitization clinics, drives at Brassfield Estate Winery and much more! Check out their facebook page!

One-Time Events in 2016 March 5, 2016 ~ Stay Safe Event, Kelseyville Senior Center May 5, 2016~ Cache Creek Ridge 25/50 mile Endurance Ride, Cowboy Camp May 21-22, 2016 ~ NATRC Cowboy Camp Competitive Trail Ride, Cache Creek June 12 , 2016 ~ Californio Days / Fiesta of the Horse at Rancho de la Fuente June 17-19, 2016 ~ Middletown Days, Middletown July 9, 2016 ~ Lake County Rodeo All Horse Parade, Lakeport August 27-28, 2016 ~ Lake County Fair Horse Show September 24, 2016 ~ Pear Festival Parade and Horse Faire, Downtown Kelseyville

Local clubs are invited to send their entire 2016 calendars for inclusion as soon as available.

Send your event information to: Kim Riley (707) 245- 7468 or kimrileya58@gmail.com

Due to frequent updating of the Rolling Calendar, the printed version in any Journal becomes outdated very quickly. Please visit the LCHC website for the most current Calendar information including events held in locales beyond Lake County.

www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com

Page 22

Lake County Horse Council Journal ~ 2016 Volume 1

JOIN or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

Lake County Horse Council

Don’t miss out on any of the benefits of membership, which may include:  Member exclusive informational forums  Quarterly Journal  Frequent member email updates and local equestrian calendar information

Celebrating our 5th Anniversary!

 Access to discounts on supplies and clinics

Return this form to: Lake County Horse Council, P.O. Box 1551, Kelseyville, CA 95451 Checks payable to Lake County Horse Council

Name* ____________________________________________________ Today’s Date ____/____/_______ *Family Membership: please identify household’s adults by name on this form Address _______________________________________________________ State_______ Zip_________ Email

_______________________@_____________________

Phone

Membership Category ________________________________________

Category

Individual (Basic) Membership Family Membership **

Dues $10 / yr $25 / yr

________________________ Amount Enclosed $_________

Benefits Basic: Events, Email Updates Basic + LCHC Journal mailed to your home (**NOTE: Family includes named parents/guardians and their minor dependents)

Lifetime Membership

$150

Basic + LCHC Journal mailed to your home

(one-time payment) Business/ Club/ Organization

$75 / yr

Two Quarter-page ads in the Journal, 10% discount on additional Journal ads, and web listing

Why join LCHC? LCHC members have been involved with:  Konocti Regional Trails  Bureau of Land Management master plans  Westside Community Park  Cache Creek Cowboy Horse Camp  Lake County Farm Bureau  Lake County Grading Ordinance Committee  Lake County Public Works Adopt-a-Road Program  Members originated an idea which eventually became LEAP (Lake Evacuation & Animal Protection)

Accomplishments:  Received a trail improvement grant through Tractor Supply and AQHA  Drafted a resource management plan for Highland Springs Recreation Area in 2011  Honored by Lake County Board of Supervisors by Proclamation in 2011  Quarterly Journal  Created Horse Sense safety brochure  Lake County’s Horse Resource Directory  Emergency Equestrian Evacuation Directory  Disaster Assistance Fund

Events & Activities and Sponsorships: Horse Faire at the Kelseyville Pear Festival (4 years) Highland Springs Scavenger Hunt/Poker Ride (3 years) Stay Safe: A Public Expo for You and Your Animals - free-to-the-public emergency preparedness seminar Saddle Fitting Clinics Trail Rides Trash Pick-Up at Highland Springs Californio Days Upper Lake Wild West Days Clearlake Jr. Horsemen Gymkhana Series

P.O. Box 1551 Kelseyville, CA 95451

Horses are good therapy for the body and soul! Enjoying a lovely ride in the C Bar A arena. Photo: A lice Chevalier