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  • Corral Chatter 5_2025


May 2025

Our purpose is to promote good fellowship between horsemen and a greater understanding of horses.


• President’s Message

• Event Calendar

• Events - Last Month's Fun

• Membership

• General Meeting Minutes 

• Volunteer Corner & Donations

• Photo Funnies and Classified Ads




President's Message

Dear SCCHA Members,

It’s hard to believe we’re already in May, but with longer days and warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to join us for a weekend full of community, camaraderie, and equestrian excitement at the Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association! We’re thrilled to invite you to join us for a fun-filled weekend from Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18. Whether you're looking to shop, ride, volunteer, or simply spend time with fellow horse lovers, there's something for everyone.

We’ll kick off the festivities on Friday, May 16, with our General Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. After a quick update on club business, we’re proud to host Dr. Fletcher from Fletcher Equine Veterinary Services in San Martin as our guest speaker for the evening. Dr. Fletcher will discuss the importance of keeping a well-stocked barn medical kit, including a detailed list of must-have items, tips on how often kits should be reviewed or updated, and real-world examples of common stable injuries. After our speaker, stick around for a fun evening of line dancing with Sydney! Whether you know every step or just want to try something new, it's a great way to let loose, laugh, and connect with fellow members. And yes, boots are encouraged!

On Saturday, May 17, the arena will transform into a bustling marketplace for our Annual Tack Sale, featuring multiple sellers and treasures for every rider. Whether you're on the hunt for new gear or just browsing, you’re sure to find great deals, and best of all, proceeds from donated items will support the SCCHA Hoofbeats Juniors program. The sale runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the clubhouse, and we encourage you to come early, shop generously, and support the next generation of riders.

Then on Sunday, May 18, the arena action begins with our first 5D Play Day of the season where riders of all levels can come together for a day of friendly competition and fun! Sign-ups start at 8:00 a.m., and the events kick off at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Riders will compete in events including Poles 1, Figure 8 Stake, Single Stake, Barrels, Speed Barrels, and Quadrangle. It’s a cash-only event, with payouts to third place, and fees are $40 for members and $45 for day members. We look forward to cheering on everyone who participates!

As always, these events don’t come together without the heart and effort of our volunteers. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who makes these weekends possible, and to all our members, we can’t wait to see you out at the ranch.

Wishing you warm spring days and happy trails,

Tami Moore, President

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Contact Information

Website: https://horsemens.org/

Email: SCCHA.1939@gmail.com

Follow Us on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SCCHAHorsemens

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sccha.1939

Event Calendar

Hi All.  We need our club members to lead events.  Let's camp, trail ride, have clinics, or other fun events (anyone for cards?).  Please come forward and propose them  - lets make this a fabulous 2025!!  We also need someone to lead some Hoofbeats (Junior) events - movie night, riding, games....   

The Board meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month 7:00pm-9:00pm

 May 16 General Meeting and Dinner Jennifer Lien  Clubhouse
 May 16-18 SCCHA Campout Kathleen O'Neill Showgrounds
 May 16 Line Dancing with SydneySydney VandenbrandClubhouse
 May 17 SCCHA Tack Sale 5/17 Kathleen O'Neill  Showgrounds
 May 17 Potluck Kathleen O'Neill Clubhouse
 May 18  5D Play Day  Yvonne Lee  Showgrounds
 Jun 20  General Meeting and Dinner  Jennifer Lien  Clubhouse
 Jun 22  5D Play Day  Yvonne Lee  Showgrounds
 Jul 4  149th Annual July 4th Parade - Morgan Hill  Yvonne Lee  Morgan Hill Downtown
 Jul 410th Annual July 4th Fireworks Festival Info Booth- Almaden Lake Park Rachael ParakhAlmaden Lake Park 
 Jul 20 5D Play Day  Yvonne Lee Showgrounds

 Jul 30-Aug 3

Santa Clara Country Fair Booth/DisplayRachel Parakh  SCC Fairgrounds
 Aug 15General Meeting and Dinner  Jennifer Lien Clubhouse 
 Aug 17 5D Play Day  Yvonne Lee  Showgrounds
 Sep 13 Almaden Days Jump in Parade  New Almaden
 Sep 19 General Meeting and Dinner  Jennifer Lien  Clubhouse
 Sep 20 5D Buckle Play Day Yvonne Lee Showgrounds
 Oct 4 Santa Clara County Horse Association : 3rd Annual Fall Festival Open HouseRachael Parakh  Showgrounds
 Oct 17 General Meeting & Dinner (Board Nominations) Jennifer Lien Clubhouse
Oct 17-19
 SCCHA Camping   Kathleen O'Neill  Showgrounds
Oct 18 Line Dancing, Poker Fun, and Potluck   Kathleen O'Neill & Sydney Vandenbrand  Clubhouse
Oct 19 Gaited Horseshow & Playday 10/19 (Optional Camping,
Line Dancing, Poker Fun, and Potluck 10/17-10/19)
 
 Kathleen O'Neill Showgrounds 
Nov 21  General Meeting & Dinner (Board Elections)  Jennifer Lien  Clubhouse
Dec 13    Holiday Party & Board Installation  Jennifer Lien  Clubhouse
Dec 14  Hoofbeats Party, Crafts, & Potluck   Kathleen O'Neill  Clubhouse

Events 

Take a look at Facebook for Pictures....or check out the pictures (Click the link and scroll down): Pictures


Spring Clean Up Day

Thank you to everyone who came out to help clean up the club  club grounds we had an amazing turn out and got so much done! 

Everyone came together and took on different parts of the project.  The old tractor cover came down, the arena was rototilled and groomed, the snack shack was tuned up and there was so much weed whacking and mowing to make it all look amazing. There is also a new gate on the arena so we are ready for summer!

Thank you to all the amazing work day volunteers and helpers and “The Take Down Crew”. You all made our club grounds so much more beautiful and ready for all our  upcoming events! Thank you to:

President Tami Moore, Zachary and Will DouglasChris MinkleWendy and Todd FeddeJim O’NealMichelle Hiatt, Robyn Nichols and granddaughters Kylie and Danika SartucciPam RobbSusan O’Neill and Mary Billingsby; "The Take Down Crew”: Chris Monahan, Ian and Evan CooperBill Algers, Megan Downing




May Dinner and General Meeting

Friday, May 16th 6:30pm social, 7pm dinner, 8pm Meeting

Please join us for a Cinco de Mayo themed dinner. Guest speaker Dr. Angel Fletcher will kick off the General Meeting discussing best practices for a Stable Med Kit and the meeting will be followed by line dancing with Sydney!






SCCHA Tack Sale:   

Come one, come all to the SCCHA tack sale.  We need sellers and buyers.   Don't want to sell, donate your tack and Kathleen's team will sell it with proceeds going to the Hoof-Beats Junior Program fund.   

All members can use our club tables.

Non-Members can bring their own table or rent a club table for $15/table.

Contact Kathleen O'Neill if you are interested.  koneill_950372003@yahoo.com. or (408) 590-3933

Tell your horsey friends.    If you want to sell crafts or other things, that is fine too.  Be sure to RSVP and start collecting your items.   I have a whole pile 'hidden' beside my couch just waiting for the sale.

This will be a great weekend full of activities and fun.   Friday the Dinner and General Meeting, Saturday the Tack Sale, Saturday night Sydney has volunteered to lead the group at line dancing.  Before the line dancing, we'll have a potluck.  Sunday we'll have the first of the series of 5D play days, lead by Yvonne Lee.   All these activities and camping Friday to Sunday.   Come join the fun.  






We need volunteers!

Do you want to come help with registration, announcing and scoring at the 5d Playdays? We need you! Kathleen and Tami can train a few more people. Best to start scoring with Kathleen and Tami at the shows to learn. If you are knowledgeable with excel or open to learning this is for you. It's all automated, but you would need to follow the directions for sorting and setup. 

Contact Kathleen O'Neill if you are interested.  koneill_950372003@yahoo.com. or (408) 590-3933


Housekeeping News 


'Memorialize' yourself with the Club.....

Do you want your name on the Clubhouse Horse Decoration?  Have you ever wondered about this beautiful piece of art?   Well if you have been a member for 5 years or more, you get your name on a horse for $50.  Do you want more names on a horse? Add another name for $50......

You can go to the club Store to purchase ...

Club Store





Gaited Horseshow Buckle Donation 

Do you want your name or company name on the back of one of the buckles given at the Gaited Horseshow?? 

Let Kathleen O'Neill, (408) 590-3933, know by June 1st that you want to sponsor a buckle for $120. 

Your name will go on the back of one of the gorgeous custom buckles and we'll advertise the heck out of your donation as we advertise the show. 

We are in the process of designing the "One-of-a-Kind" buckles for this year.    We already have one donor - Gaye Derusso, of Majestic Rider.   (She is also dedicating her time as the Judge for the show.) We appreciate the support from our members for this event, so please let us know if you want to be a buckle sponsor.

Beautiful buckles from last year.  There will be a new design this year.  These are ONE-OF-A-KIND buckles.  Unique for the club and unique for the folks who win them.....Be a sponsor.   I already started designing this year's buckle.  It will be a beauty.  Oh and I'm practicing to win one too....

It has been so fun seeing folks wear their Gaited Horseshow Buckles that they won last year.   There were five people sporting their buckles at a recent campout...



Important Reminders 

The Club welcomes Member Guests to use the arena with a Liability Release form and use payments.   Don't want to pay 'Use' Fees, it's free to members.....

CAMPING & ARENA GUESTS

A Guest must be accompanied by an adult member. It is the responsibility of the Member to

- Ensure that Guests know and follow the Rules SCCHA Membership Overview _ Rules.pdf

- Ensure the Liability Release Waiver is complete and give it to the Treasurer.

SCCHA Liability Release Waiver 2024.pdf

- Collect the fees via the Club Store or given to the Treasurer (Cash or checks payable to SCCHA)

Club Store


Guests visiting for the day: Guests with horse activities pay a day use fee of $20.

Guests Camping: For each night stay, a Guest pays a

camping fee of $10/person plus $15/horse. 


Here is a link to Membership Benefits, the Liabiity Release Form, Trainer Rules, and Club Rules.

Membership Overview & Rules, Trainer Policy, Liability Release Waiver

Check Arena Availability

Please be sure to check that the Arena is available for use before coming to the Showgrounds.   

As a Member, you have access to Member Only Information!!  You can login to the website https://horsemens.org/ go to the “Member Only” page, under the Membership Menu, and voila - you have access to a lot of important information....


Member Directory


Search for a specific member to contact, or view all our active members.

Board Member Contact Information

Members - go ahead and see Board Member Contact information or you can also search a Board member in the Member Directory for full contact information, including phone numbers. 
Showgrounds Calendar You want to come to use the arena or the round pen, but don’t know if there is a rental happening? Fear no more. If there is no rental or event, feel free to use your gate key and come over and use the facilities.  That is a huge benefit to membership.  We don’t make this calendar available to the public, but as a member, you have this information to help you use the facilities.

Treasurer's Report


As a member, you have access to the club financials.  Or give a request to the Treasurer if the website isn't up-to-date.

ByLaws


View the club ByLaws anytime you want - just login to access Member Only Information.



NEW!!!!   Advertise on the SCCHA Website:   

Want to Advertise on our website?  We welcome your "Family Friendly" Ads.  Advertising is free to our Members and $200/Calendar year for Non-Members.  Your ad is available to the public, our members, supporters, and equine enthusiasts.  Demographics include Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, San Francisco County, and more.

See Details in the Club Store Here   Club Store

Your Ad will be shown here:  Advertising


Membership 

Membership - Bring a Friend.  Help Grow the Association:  

Tell your friends about the "Horsemen's".  Their first dinner, as a guest, is free at the General/Dinner Meeting.  Have them apply for membership!  Membership Application     See all the benefits membership brings Membership Overview & Rules, Trainer Policy, Liability Release Waiver

Welcome New Members:

Debby Narcisso

Debby has a long history of horsemanship, horse ownership, memberships and competitions. Dating back to 1982, her first horse (1/2 Arab 1/2 QH) was given to her and she completely rehabbed her and they did everything together. Their most challenging job was as  volunteer horse patrol for the CA State Parks at Ano Nuevo where they encountered elephant seals and the uneducated public while patrolling the challenging sand dunes. She is currently totally smitten with her sweet gelding Renner-- a 16yo 16hh WB cross of Selle Francais and Trakehner (with a touch of QH to explain his dun coloring)!


Lori and Nathan Carr

I started riding horses in 3rd grade and never stopped. I have ridden Western, Hunter and lots of Dressage. I have done some Pony Club and 4H as well-- and basically love all things horses. I've had horses from foals to geriatric and enjoy all the ages.  I'm really looking forward to being part of this horse community!

April General Meeting Minutes

SCCHA GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

April 18, 2025

CTO at 8:27 PM by Tami Moore.  Tami thanked Liz, Jennifer and Sandie for preparing our delicious dinner.  She also thanked Shalla, and Jim Lee for bartending.  It was a treat to have Max Gomez perform, and we welcomed several guests.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Yvonne gave the March 2025 Treasurer Report. (see Treasurer’s report)

EVENTS:  Linda thanked everyone for coming to tonight’s meeting, a great turn out with a wonderful musical guest.  She also reminded us that theBeach Ride is tomorrow, we meet at Salinas State Beach, bring your lunch. Please use the link on the website to ensure you get to the correct place.

Stephen of Lone Oak reported the next Gold Coast Arabian Show will be April 27th.  The Lone Oak Stables start of their Buckle Series is May 29. The following shows are May 17, and October 26, riders must attend two of the series.  The shows will be held rain or shine.

Kayla Peterson reported Fairytale farms are getting evicted off their property within two weeks.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Yvonne reported that we have a fundraiser for our wall out front where they can do a mural of our logo on cinderblock.  The prize is a handmade quilt.  Tickets will go on sale soon.  

Linda reminded the community our Tack Swap will be the same weekend of our Playday. We will also have line dancing!  Mark your calendar for the weekend of May 16, 17 and 18. That Sunday the 18th is the first 5D show of the year.

Friday is a speaker night featuring a vet to talk about an emergency kit you will want at your barn.

Rachael thanked Bay Area Barns and Trails; they just awarded us $400 for our trail advocacy.  This will cover the cost of bike bells, snacks and drinks for two Park-Shared Use

Trail Safety Tables, and two Junior Tails and Tires Workshops per year.

On behalf of Kathleen, members ads on our website are free.

Tami thanked everyone for showing up for our clean-up day.

Marissa reported that the county unincorporated properties that have Builder’s Remedy attempting to build developments were not in compliance with the county.  

All the properties are still awaiting approval.

Horse and human birthday prizes were given out by Rachael.

Motion to adjourn at 8:50 pm made by Stephen, seconded by, Lisa, the motion carried.

Volunteer Corner & Donations

There are always opportunities to volunteer for our activities. Check here frequently as more activities show up in the summer.


 Activity  Date  Volunteer Duties  Contact
General Meeting Dinners  3rd Friday each month Plan, prepare, set up, and serve a meal at the meeting  Jennifer Lien Gonzalez jenligo@gmail.com
Craft Supplies NeededWe need to replenish our craft supplies and especially need the following:  Beads, any kind of jewelry, acrylic paint, paint brushes, bead wire, horse magazines or books to cut up, leather, and glue.  Let me know what else you want to donate!!   We recently wiped out a lot of our supplies.Kathleen O’Neill (408) 590-3933
Photo Funnies and Classified Ads

Want to submit something to the Newsletter?

The Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association publishes the Corral Chatter monthly for its members and friends. Please e-mail articles of interest to the Newsletter Editor Stephanie Barada swbarada@gmail.com by the 25th of the month to be published in the next month’s edition. 




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