Santa Clara County Horsemen's Association upcoming events

Santa Clara County Horse Association : 4th Annual Fall Festival Open House (10/03/2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Register Here for the Fall Festival.

Please bring the Liability Release Waiver with you or fill one out at the Welcome/Registration Booth when you Arrive at the Festival. SCCHA Liability Release Waiver 2024.pdf

California Horse History

Horses have been a part of ranch life for Californians since the last 1840's when settlers came to the Golden State to stake their claim - both for gold and wide open pastures. The rolling hills, with stately California Oak trees, were the perfect landscape for families eager to set up ranches for grazing cattle. Many generations have come and gone, with equestrians now riding for pleasure verus livelihood, yet the rural setting of ranches is a welcome change to modern life here in the Bay area. Children's faces light up when they watch a horse nibble on a carrot and adult hearts skip a beat when they see horses running in a field.

Home in Almaden Valley
The oldest Horse Association, Santa Clara County, was formed in 1939 and has played an important role in the Almaden Valley and helped to establish the California State Horsemen's Association.

Registration for our 4th Annual Fall Festival Open House will open in August of 2026. You'll be able to click on the 'Register' button to the left at that time. Registration helps us plan enough art and food supplies. The Open House is FREE to the public. Cash accepted for craft and food tickets.

Join us in the countryside, only 15 minutes from San Jose. Here, you can experience the power and beauty of horses in action. We welcome the public to watch our drill team perform synchronized riding maneuvers. Be captivated by English style jumping, Western Barrels and demonstration of Gaited Horses, too. About a dozen horses will be featured in our Breed Corral Exhibit. Don't miss the fun and excitement! We've even planned rootbeer floats, hot dogs & snacks, live music by local western singer/songwriter Dane Browning, arts & crafts and grooming/photobooth stations to allow everyone personal time with a horse.

Day of the Horse Progressive Trail Ride (10/10/2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Arrival 9-11am
Trail Ride 11am-3pm
After Party 3pm-6pm

Event Overview

Historically, participants from all over California enjoy this legendary trail ride that gives riders a glimpse of rural America right in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The Ride Route

The official route is on the Woodside Town Trails and Ride Stops include both public and private horse-friendly locations, concentrating in the areas near central Woodside with a trail loop at the Horse Park at Woodside as well.

Camping & Weekend Fun (10/16/2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Camping and Potluck

Host: Kathleen O'Neill (408) 590-3933 koneill_950372003@yahoo.com

Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
20350 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

Sorry the Arena will not be available - Reserved for the Sunday Event.....

Friday:

*Members can come in at anytime on Friday using their gate key. Guests, the gate will be open by 2:00pm.

Come setup camp, attend the club dinner/Meeting The Bar is open at 6:30pm. Dinner starts at 7:00pm, The club meeting starts at 8:00pm

Game Night 9:00pm-10:30pm

Saturday:

*Enjoy riding at the local parks, Ride on the grounds, or use the round pen...

*Potluck 6:00pm at the clubhouse followed by pokerfun.

*Line Dancind and Live Music by Wain Famous

Sunday: Participate at the Gaited Horseshow (Register seperately) or enjoy the local parks.

Registration, Fees, & Liability Release

Pre-Registration Required.

Fees may be paid by Cash, check payable to Santa Clara County Horsemens' Association (SCCHA), or via credit card through the website.

Refund Policy: Refunds, less 20% administration fees, if you cancel camping before the day of the event. Contact your host to cancel.

Camping; Members: Free!!!

Non-Members: $25 per person/night. NOTE: contact the host if a family wants to camp for deep discounts!

Potluck: Free if you bring Potluck

Pay If you don't bring Potluck...

$15 per adult or non-member

$10 Junior Member (11-17)

Free Junior Member (1-10)

SCCHA Liability Release Waiver (Download, PRINT, Sign, & bring on day of the event.)

Horse Camping Rules

Quiet at 10:00pm
Propane Fire Pit OK
If the ground is damp/wet, don’t drive in the soft grounds along the fence line to get to the horse corrals, drive-in the left side closer to the arena to get to the corral
If you tie to your trailer, please park away from other campers!
Be safety aware and park your vehicles away from the horse play day if you are camping and going in/out during the playday.

Access to the Showgrounds

The gate is locked, so ensure you coordinate with your host for access to the grounds if you don't have a member gate key.

Facility Provided

14 pipe corrals based on registration. Your event host will let you know if there are no more stalls after you register. Selection of the stalls are first come, first serve. You can also bring stakeouts, portable corrals, or tie to your trailer.
Non-Potable Water for the horses
Bring your own drinking water
Bring Wheelbarrows and racks. Spread the manure in the open area in the Northwest corner of the facilities (behind the arena). (Coordinate with Host)

Where to Ride

The Santa Clara County Horsemen’s is located with easy access to several parks: Calero, San Vincente, Santa Theresa, Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space, Sierra Azul Preserve, and Quicksilver.

To ride out to Santa Theresa Park or San Vincente (approx 1/2 mile), you have to ride on the left shoulder easement along McKean Road from SCCHA and cross over one large ditch. You can, of course, trailer a short way as well.

General Meeting & Dinner (Chili Cookoff & Board Nominations) (10/16/2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Social 6:30pm, Dinner 7:00pm, General Meeting 8:00pm

Registration is now requested for the Dinner's to help us plan the food. Please RSVP in advance.

Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
20350 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

Please send nominations to SCCHA_1939@gmail.com, or submit them to any Board member. The nomination committee will contact the nominee to validate their acceptance (before going on the ballot in November). If there are no contenders, then it will be a ‘White Ballot’ and no need for an election.

Nominations are open until the 2nd week of November.

The Membership roster is available to all members online on the website (after you login). You must be a member for a year before running for the Board. Board meetings are the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm and generally run 2 hours (based on the agenda). The Officers are voted annually, the Directors are voted for a 2-year term. The Board may appoint a Director in the remaining term of a previously elected Director, where a previous Director has resigned.

Gaited 'Schooling' Horseshow (10/18/2026)

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

There will be 8 buckles for the show! You read that right - 8 buckles. These buckles will be cherished for decades!

Registration isn't complete unless you get an email invoice and email registration acknowledgement. Make sure to click 'generate invoice' at checkout!! It's ok at Pay the Invoice after October 1. You will get a reminder to pay.

Contact Kathleen O'Neill (408) 590-3933 if you want to have multiple riders on the same horse. If you are in different age groups, that should be fine.

CLICK HERE FOR THE HORSESHOW DETAILS EXPLAINING THE 3 CLASSES: Gaited Horseshow Procedures.docx

Gaited Horseshow

Host: Kathleen O'Neill (408) 590-3933 koneill_950372003@yahoo.com

Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
20350 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

Note: (The Arena is not available to folks other than event participants on Sunday.)

Sunday: Gaited Horseshow

9:00am - 2:00pm

REGISTRATION REQUIRED IN ADVANCE

Check-in at 7:30-8:30am

$50 Member

$85 Non-Member

Let Kathleen know if you have a child you want to lead-line or child that wants to be part of the show and do the Obstacle portion only for $10 and win a ribbon for your child.

Note: $30 late registration fee if registering the day of the show. Space not gauranteed.

Registration, Fees, & Liability Release

You can Register for camping, potluck, and the Horseshow a-la-cart. So pick the things you want to do...

Pre-Registration for the Horseshow and camping is Required.

Fees may be paid by Cash, check payable to Santa Clara County Horsemens' Association (SCCHA), or via credit card through the website.

Refund Policy: Refunds, less 20% administration fees, if you cancel before the day of the event. Contact your host to cancel.

SCCHA Liability Release Waiver (Download, PRINT, Sign, & bring on day of the event.)

Camping (Optional)

Fees:

Members: Free!!!

Non-Members: $25 per person/night **Deep Discounts for Families. Contact Kathleen (408) 590-3933

Friday: Members can come in at anytime on Friday using their gate key. Guests camping, the gate will be open by 1:00pm.

General Meeting/Dinner (Optional)

Fees:

$15 Dinner

*Member Kids 11-17 $10, 10-Under (Free)

Friday:

6:30pm Club Social with a Bar

7:00pm Club Dinner

8:00pm Club Meeting

Game Night & Cards (Optional)

Friday:

Game Night & Cards. 9:00pm-10:30pm

Poker Fun (Optional)

Fees:

Free. Bring something nice as your 'Buy-In' to play.

Saturday:

4:30pm - 6:00pm

Everyone wins who plays.

Bring one NICE gift or Tack (Clean Used is fine - or anything you think someone would want) for your 'Buy' in to play. You can have as many ‘Buy’ ins as you want. The more you bring, the more you win!!

Dealer deals you a hand -you can exchange (one-at-a-time) 4 cards per hand

Best hand out of 3 is your 'Hand' per one gift.

Once all the participants finish their hands, the winners in order of highest hands, will pick from the gift pile that your brought as your 'buy-in' to play. Everyone who plays gets a gift.

We will call the order of the hands/gifts during the Potluck.

Potluck (Optional)

Fees:

Free is you bring something

$15 if you just want to eat someone else's food!

Saturday:

6:00pm Potluck at the Clubhouse

Dance Party (Optional)

Saturday:

7:00pm-10:00pm. Clubhouse

Horse Camping Rules

Quiet at 10:00pm
Propane Fire Pit OK
If the ground is damp/wet, don’t drive in the soft grounds along the fence line to get to the horse corrals, drive-in the left side closer to the arena to get to the corral area.

Access to the Showgrounds

The gate is locked, so ensure you coordinate with your host for access to the grounds if you don't have a member gate key.

Facility Provided

We have a large refrigerator, microwave, sink, oven, and bathrooms.
14 pipe corrals or bring stakeouts, portable corrals, or tie to your trailer. Please note, if you register for camping the host will tell you if there is an issue with getting a corral in advance.
Non-Potable Water for the horses
Bring your own drinking water
Bring your own pooper scooper. Spread the manure in the open area in the Northwest corner of the facilities (behind the arena). (Coordinate with Host)

Where to Ride

The Santa Clara County Horsemen’s is located with easy access to several parks: Calero, San Vincente, Santa Theresa, Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space, Sierra Azul Preserve, and Quicksilver.

General Meeting Thanksgiving Dinner & Board Elections (11/20/2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Social 6:30pm, Dinner 7:00pm, General Meeting 8:00pm

Registration is now requested for the Dinner's to help us plan the food. Please do your best to RSVP in advance.

Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
20350 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

Holiday Party Dinner & Board Installation (12/12/2026)

Sun, 13 Dec 2026 02:00:00 GMT

pay on-line via credit card

RSVP to Jennifer Lien and pay via check to SCCHA PO Box 20124 San Jose, CA 95160

Hoof-Beats Holiday Party (Crafts, Horse Cookies, & Potluck) (12/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Dec 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
20350 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

General Meeting and Dinner (Soup Contest) (01/15/2027)

Sat, 16 Jan 2027 02:30:00 GMT

Soup Contest

Social 6:30pm, Dinner 7:00pm, General Meeting 8:00pm

Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
20350 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

Sip & Swap Party (03/20/2027)

Sun, 21 Mar 2027 00:00:00 GMT