Join Horsemen's for a trail safety event with @siliconvalleymountainbikers at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. We'll have lots of fun freebies, bike bells, flavored water, granola bars and more! Come meet + greet with some horses, take selfies and learn how we can safely share our trails.
*IMPORTANT* Rural Zoning Amendments The County would like to hear from the equine community regarding workable zoning amendments for all four Zoning Districts: A - Exclusive Agriculture, AR - Agricultugal Ranchlands, HS - Hillside, RR - Rural Residential. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, November 6th at 6pm. Meeting will be in-person at our Horsemen's Clubhouse: 20350 McKean Road, San Jose, CA 95120. Working to make this a hybrid meeting, as well. Will send out Zoom link if possible. Meeting will be facilitated by Jacque Onciano, Planning Director and Leza Mikhail, Deputy Director of Planning Services. To find out your property district, click on this link: https://sccdpdapps.com/profile/
To review the amendments for yourself, click on this link for the County Department of Planning and Development: https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/programs-and-studies/planning-studies/rural-zoning-amendments
Every message and show of support counts. Please forward the upcoming meeting date to family, friends and neighbors. Together, we can protect horses, stables, and the rural character of our community.
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
If you pay on-line via credit card, the credit card vendor fees have already been added which are pretty much equivalent to a US Stamp.
Or
RSVP to Jennifer Lien and pay via check to SCCHA PO Box 20124 San Jose, CA 95160
Soup Contest
This will be a fun ride at the beach (meet at 10:00am) and then hang around and have lunch together at 12:30pm in the parking lot. Great fun for the kids (and adults)!
Contact Kathleen O'Neill to RSVP (408) 590-3933
Robbie Potter Clinic for Horsemanship and Obstacles
Dates: 5/2-5/3 (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM) Location: Santa Clara County Horsemans Association
Join us for a 2-day clinic that will focus on furthering your horsemanship and your ability to build on a solid relationship with your horse. We will be working with obstacles on day 2. The clinic may be audited one or both days for $25/day..
*Robbie will be also available for private sessions. If you are interested in setting up a private session, please contact Liz Kehoe (see contact info below).
Clinic Host: Liz Kehoe | Call/Text: 408-504-7452 | Email: lizzyk@aol.com
Camping and Potluck
Host: Kathleen O'Neill (408) 590-3933 koneill_950372003@yahoo.com
Sorry the Arena will not be available - Reserved for the Sunday Playday 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
Saturday:
*Enjoy riding at the local parks, Ride on the grounds, or use the round pen...
*Potluck 6:00pm at the clubhouse
Sunday: Participate at the club Playday (Register seperately) or enjoy the local parks.
Registration, Fees, & Liability Release
Pre-Registration Required.
Register online or contact the host.
Fees may be paid by Cash, check payable to Santa Clara County Horsemens' Association (SCCHA), or via credit card through the website.
Camping; Members: Free!!!
Non-Members: $25 per person/night
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)
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.
Seller Setup at 7am
Tack Sale 8:00am-1:00pm
Non-members have the option to rent a table for $15 or bring their own tables and sell for free.
Members can, of course, use the clubs tables
Registration is now requested for the Dinner's to help us plan the food. Please RSVP in advance.
Contact Yvonne Lee as soon as possilbe to ride in the Parade. Members only.
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 ValleyThe 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.
Ride Through the Town of Woodside Arrival 9-11amTrail Ride 11am-3pm After Party 3pm-6pm
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 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.
Sorry the Arena will not be available - Reserved for the Sunday Event.....
*Potluck 6:00pm at the clubhouse followed by pokerfun. Bring a gift, that is your 'anti' to play, highest hand picks from the gifts first. This is a super fun activity. Enjoyed by all
Sunday: Participate at the Gaited Horseshow (Register seperately) or enjoy the local parks.
Non-Members: $25 per person/night. NOTE: contact the host if a family wants to camp for deep discounts!
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 2nd 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.
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!!
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: Gaited Horseshow Procedures.docx
Gaited Horseshow
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
Note: $30 late registration fee if registering the day of the show. Space not gauranteed.
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.
Camping (Optional)
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, the gate will be open by 1:00pm if we have guest who are camping.
General Meeting/Dinner (Optional)
$15 Dinner
*Member Kids 11-17 $10, 10-Under (Free)
6:30pm Club Social with a Bar
7:00pm Club Dinner
8:00pm Club Meeting
Potluck (Optional)
Fees:
Free is you bring something
$15 if you just want to eat someone else's food!
6:00pm Potluck at the Clubhouse
Dance Party (Optional)
7:00pm-10:00pm. Clubhouse
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.
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.
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)
pay on-line via credit card
Contact Us & Directions
Corral Chatter (Newsletter)
Volunteer