I was Vice President of the SCCHA in 2022 and President 2023 - 2026.  I come from the world of education and I am an Associate Superintendent. Prior to my current role I was a TK-8 School Principal and a Special Education Teacher.  Working in education is a rewarding and challenging career, and I found myself searching for ways to relax, de-stress and connect with people in a different way. Horseback riding has given me that outlet and there is nothing like loving a horse, other than knowing that same horse loves you back. Plus, anyone who has ever sat on the back of a horse knows that it's just plain fun!

As your President I hope to bring my organizational, innovative, and forward-thinking skills while supporting the Board and ensuring their success. I look forward to working with members (and non-members) on continuing to make SCCHA a thriving organization. I would gladly welcome any suggestions or ideas and look forward to serving SCCHA. 

Linda Carcione

Vice President

When I joined the Horsemen’s in 2002, I had no idea how much it would come to mean to me. It has been a source of new friends, new experiences, and pride. I am so happy to be a part of the Board for many years, serving as Director, President, Vice President and Secretary. 

I have lived in Almaden Valley for more than 40 years and I love it here.  My husband and I raised two beautiful girls here.  I am now a widow and find that this community has given me deep roots to help me carry on. Horses and the SCCHA has enriched my life here, and it is my pleasure to serve among the dedicated team of directors and friends on our board. I look forward to seeing all of you at our events and meetings this year.

Jennifer Lien- Gonzalez

Secretary & Social Director

I have been a member of The Horseman’s Association for several years. 

Although I am originally from South Dakota, I lived in Spain for 7 years. I love living in California. I am a Kindergarten Teacher, and share my love of animals with my students each year. I am a horse mom to 4 horses; and also love my 2 dogs, rabbit and turtle. 

Yvonne Lee

Treasurer

Most of you already know me and my husband Jim. I’ve been a member of the Santa Clara County Horsemen's since 1990 and joined the SCCHA Board in 1991.

I have had many officer positions over the last years (Treasurer, Vice-President, and President). I am currently enjoying being the Treasurer and spending time with our members and guests at the shows.

Chris Monahan 

Sergeant-at-Arms

Kathleen O'Neill 

Website

Gaited Horseshow

Membership Committee

Junior Program Committee

I volunteer because I want to do my best to make sure that the equestrian community stays active and strong in the Bay Area.  I support the growth of the club and value our members and volunteers.

I love to organize campouts and create and atmosphere where equestrians can meet others in a social setting.   In 2018, I championed the horse camping reservation process.  In 2021, I lead the Trainer policy.  In 2022, I revitalized the Hoof-Beats Junior Program.  In 2023, I lead the Event Rental Process and implemented the new website with a donation process, online store, and credit card payment process.  This included a streamlined membership renewal process with online payments and automatic procedures.  Over the years, I have organized fun camping socials before social events, junior events and campouts.  Our annual Gaited Horseshow and Playday started in 2024.

I am a retired Information Technology Professional.  My husband, Jim, and I have lived in Morgan Hill for the last 42 years.  We are proud of our son, Chris.  I enjoy my horse ownership journey and fabulous friends.  I feel truly blessed.  "Living the Dream"

Sandie Quinones

Hall Rental Director & Camping Reservations

I love our club and value the importance it brings to our community.  I have owned and loved horses most of my life.

During the last 27 years, my volunteer job at the club is caring for and renting our hall.  I love meeting prospective renters, showing the grounds, and promoting rental opportunities to help increase club revenue.  

Liz Kehoe

Director

Clinics,

Drill Team Leader,

Beverage Counter & Social Assistance

Hello, I'm Liz Kehoe and I'm so proud to be a part of the Horsemen's board, I've been a board member since 2016 and I hope to continue for many years to come.

I have 3 horses and do mostly trail riding now, I love the small horse community we have here in Almaden and I hope to keep the spirit of horses alive within our community.

I have enjoyed designing and running the Western/English schooling shows, hosting the Robbie Potter Clinics, being apart of our Trail Safety program that we partner with Santa Clara Co. Parks, leading our drill team and performing at our open house, volunteering at our other events and helping out in the bar. 

Happy trails!

Cathy Angell

Community Outreach & County Contact

I have been riding for decades - more than I care to admit!  My father gave me riding lessons for my 8th birthday and my beloved Golden Shiloh for my 12th birthday.   We had almost 25 wonderful years together, attending horse shows all over the south bay and peninsula (many facilities that no longer exist).  Shiloh lived in Los Gatos, Mountain View, and Los Altos Hills before heading to Davis and then the East Coast with me.  She finally flew home by Fed Ex in 2000, spending her last few months at Wild Oak.  There I met our wonderful Courtney Adamo.  Thanks to Courtney, many more horses have come my way in the last 20 years.  My kids all started riding before they could walk and the younger two have continued to ride.  I realized through them, that for kids, riding is only half about the horses - it's about the social experience.

Since our return to CA, so many horse facilities in our area, have closed - displacing hundreds of horses.  Building our place has offered a real education regarding the barriers on faces in getting anything accomplished locally, and in why we have experienced a huge net loss in horse housing.

As a member of the Horseman's Board of Directors, I like to help to get and keep kids involved with horses, and to work with our horse community to keep riding and housing horses possible and affordable locally.

Rachael Parakh

Public Relations Director

Having grown up on the East Coast, I always dreamed of the wide-open spaces in the West and someday owning a horse or two of my own. When my husband and I moved to San Jose 26 years ago and welcomed two children into our family, I wanted to make sure they had plenty of time in nature and felt comfortable around horses, starting at a young age. Our now teenage daughter was blessed to find a thoroughbred, named Digby, whom she rides and cares for with all her heart.  She is growing in confidence with her horse riding and loves the barn life at Golden Shiloh.

As relatively new horse owners, we thought it wise to join the Horsemen's.  We are beyond thankful to learn from/share in your vast horse experiences, Educational Speaker Night and social events. This association really makes a difference in the lives of old and new members. I am honored to serve as Public Relations Director on this dedicated board and actively contribute to the the continued growth of SCCHA.

Wendy Fedde

Grounds Director

I joined the Horseman's quite a few years ago and love the family friendly atmosphere and their commitment to community and horsemanship and all that it entails.  We love participating in the playdays and have learned a lot!

Michelle Celsi

Membership Director

Stephen McHenry

Director

I learned to ride when I was 11 years old and spent the summer on a 1000 acre horse ranch in Montana. My “lessons” consisted of “Here’s how you go. Here’s how you stop. Here’s how you turn left and right. Don’t fall off.”. Unfortunately, once I returned to the city, there weren’t a lot of riding options available. That changed when I met my wife, an avid equestrian who had started riding at about the same age. She bought her first horse in 1989, which I sometimes got to ride. Over the years, we acquired a few more horses including the first horse I can actually say that I owned. We got him (Amos- a Percheron) at 6 months and he grew into an 18-hand gentle giant. 

In 2017, we purchased Lone Oak Equestrian Center, and that has been a very “different” experience. We have spent a lot of time correcting deferred maintenance from prior owners, putting in new arenas, and just fixing up the place in general. 

Sadly, Amos passed away on April 1^st of 2024 (at the age of 24) just one month before I was going to take him to the Robbie Potter clinic that year. So, six months later, we flew down to the Four-Sixes annual horse auction (in Guthrie, TX) and picked up my new horse, Rocco, a 16-hand chestnut quarter horse (pictured). It took a while to develop a relationship, but the trust is growing daily. When we got him, he had two quirks: He thought a lead rope on the ground was a snake and would try to kill it. We’ve mostly worked through that one. Only in the last few weeks has he let me pick up his back feet. We’re working on that one. But, he’s fun to ride and seems to be very steady on the trail – which is mostly where I plan to ride him.

Marissa Nebenzahl Sinha

Junior Program Director

Amy Monahan

Beverage Counter Director