3rd Annual Fall Festival Open House 

Our 3rd Annual Fall Festival Open House was held Saturday, October 4 from 3-6 PM and we were thrilled to kick off the month of October with this tradition that just keeps growing year after year. The turnout was great and it was the perfect afternoon to welcome new faces, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate our shared love of horses. 

A HUGE thank you goes out to the volunteers who made this event possible! From planning activities to setting up displays, your hard work is what keeps this festival alive. Without you, there simply wouldn’t be an Open House, so thank you for giving your time and energy to our association! Below are some pictures that captured the day.

Board Nominations:  

Nominations for the 2026 Board are open until the 2nd week of November.  Please send nominations to SCCHA_1939@gmail.com or come to the General Meeting in October.  We will contact the nominee to validate their acceptance before the election.  If there is no 'Competition' for the election, there will be a 'White Ballot' and no need for a formal election.  Should there be more than one person running for an officer position and/or more than two additional people running for a Director position, then there will be an election held at the General Meeting November 14.

We thank the 2025 Board for their dedication to the club, membership, and community.   We want to thank Shalla Villet and Stephanie Barada as they leave the Board.  We know they will continue to support the club with their volunteer work.   Stephanie offered to do the Newsletter as a committee member as she is moving.  There are currently two Director 1 year positions open.   A Director can choose their area of expertise to help or just give their advice, leadership, and vote to support the club's future initiatives/direction.   Should you have a passion in doing a specific job and someone is currently doing that role, there is always room to negotiate and cross-train in that area or take it on and the incumbent can take a different job of interested.   So, please, just because someone is doing a role you want, there is room for discussion and change.  The Board meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month 7:00pm-9:00pm. 

There are specific areas where we need help: the Junior Program and more Horsey Events.  You don’t have to be a Director to help with these important roles.  

The below shows how nominations are shaping up....Put your hat into the ring... we really need our members to consider a Board position or an ongoing volunteer commitment.

Please consider joining 'Night At the Ranch' Fundraiser benefiting Bridle Up Hope San Jose! Bridle Up Hope is an impactful organization that brings horses and women and girls together to build resilience and confidence. For more information check out givebutter.com/buhsj

Gaited Horseshow Fun-Filled Weekend:  

October 17-19 will be a fun-filled weekend.

Club Dinner/Meeting

Camping

Austin Powers Themed Dance Party

Potluck

AND the 2nd Annual Gaited Horseshow on October 19

Mark your calendars, come to join in the fun and/or volunteer.

We got the buckles for the Gaited Horseshow a few days ago.  They are beautiful.   Gaye Derusso of Majestic Riders donated one buckle and Kathleen / Jim O'Neill donated another buckle.   There will be eight - yes eight buckles at this Gaited Horseshow.   

DANCE PARTY: 

Sydney Vandenbrand has volunteered again.  She is leading a fun-filled dance party October 18.   We'll have a potluck in the clubhouse, then start dancing.  Sydney will be the DJ.   The themed attire is your 'groovy baby' 60/70's clothes.  So bring them out to play.  You can, of course, come as you are too.......

Housekeeping Alerts and New Features 

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

New Member Monique Hovey

An avid horse lover my whole life... I bought my first horse at 15 and still have him but he's mostly retired.  I learned horsemanship and riding in 4-H and at any lesson I could afford growing up. I went to Murray State University for a B.S. in Equine Science and a Masters in Agriculture and finished my PhD in Agriculture Science  Education and Communication at Purdue.   My future job is tbd but I currently have 3 Quarter horses-- Kole, Cali and Bo at Coyote Canyon Ranch-- and I love trail riding and plan to get involved in Equine Search and Rescue.  Horses make my heart whole; but I am able to do it with the loving support of my husband, Joshua.

Monique with Cali and Bo

New member Katerina Ermolin

I began horseback riding when I was 4. My Instructor moved to Oakdale when I was 7 and I started going there for summer camp, where I studied CHA. My parents were never able to find a consistent instructor locally as the instructor always moved away. So I only rode during the summer until I was 15 and we had an out-of-barn lease. I had consistent jumping lessons that year as that is what the instructor specialized in but unfortunately, school became too demanding and I did not have time anymore.

In 2015, I came across a new local instructor who allowed me to work off my lessons. She moved barns and at the new barn, I found a little buckskin quarter horse named Hitch. I leased Hitch for 7 years, learning Buck Brannaman Horsemanship techniques, and trail riding. I even took him to Cal Poly SLO with me, where I was on the IEA Horse Show Team during Winter Quarter. After college, Hitch and I headed to my childhood summer camp in Oakdale to complete my CHA certificate. Afterwards, we moved back to San Jose. In 2022, I was finally able to buy Hitch (a dream come true)! I mostly trail ride, whether it's local or trailering out. I love groundwork, jumping, some dressage, and of course, gymkhana.

September General Meeting Minutes

SCCHA GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

September 19, 2025

CTO at 8:44PM by Tami Moore.  Tami thanked Liz and Jennifer for preparing our dinner.  She also thanked Jim and Amy for bartending.  She also thanked Amy from Saddles and Treasures for speaking to our community on tack fitting.

Allie Vartanians gave the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

SOCIAL:  Jennifer reminded everyone that next month’s General Meeting will feature the Chili cook off.  Please let Yvonne or Jennifer know if you can bring your fabulous chili!  Our November meeting will be our annual Thanksgiving Dinner that the Board will prepare for our members.  November is also when we hold our Board Elections.  She also reminded everyone that the Installation Dinner will be December 13. This is a catered event, reservations are required.  Please reserve online by December 6.  Also, now is the time to think about any donation items for our Silent Auction.

EVENTS: Yvonne reported the New Almaden Jump-In Parade went very well, the SCCHA riders and walkers did a great job representing our club.  

Yvonne also reported the Buckle Show will be this Sunday, sign-ups at 8:00, show starts at 9:00.  

Stephen from Lone Oak spoke with us regarding the San Martin Country Roads event this Sunday, September 21, from 10 – 2pm.  You can ride, walk, etc.  through the main streets with no cars.  There will be vendors and food trucks. 

He also reminded us that their annual Fun-O-Ween horse event will be October 26.  This event features horse shows in the morning, costumes in the afternoon.

Rachael talked about our successful Trail Sharing Event at San Vicente that took place on August 31.  Our Association, along with Rangers, Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers, and the Newt Patrol spoke with bikers and hikers about how to keep each other safe while enjoying our beautiful trails. 

She also mentioned that the next meeting for the Fortini Property Site Plan Project (which connects the Santa Teresa County Park with the San Vincente entrance to Calero Park) will be October 1, at 6:30. The meeting is hybrid, you can attend in person at Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium at 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, or via Zoom. Rachael will be attending, if anyone would like to carpool, send her an email at rachael.parakh@gmail.com.

She also reminded us that our SCCHA Open House will be October 4, all are welcome.

Rachael emphasized at our Open House we will have our Drill Team, Dane Brown, (country singer) breeds, horse grooming, activities for kids, and arts and crafts.  We are also featuring local agriculture products like honey, jams, bread and other wonderful things from our beautiful area. 

Yvonne reported our Association has been invited by Bridle Up, an organization for underprivileged girls, asked if we could carry our Flag at their Fundraiser, titled “Night At The Ranch”.  This will take place on October 11 at Rancho Rubalcava.  Liz, Yvonne and Emma will carry the flags.  Please support this organization.  

Our next General Meeting will be October 17.  The following day is the Halloween Dance Party, with the Austin Powers theme.  The following day, October 19, will be our Gaited Horse Show.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Shari reported Robbie Potter will be holding a Clinic on November 15-16 at the Blomquist Arena in Gilroy. 

Guests:  Erik, Liga and Allie Vartanians, Shelly Cannon, Amy and Nick Boucher.

Horse and human birthday prize offerings were given out by Rachael.

Motion to adjourn at 9:08pm made by Stephen, seconded by Laure, 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.

"Shock and Awe!" Remy sees mini-horse Tilly for the first time! He's not certain what to think! Thank you to member Jayne Hesley for the  photo funny taken at the Almaden Days parade!

Member Chris Minkler gives new meaning to "Ponying Up to the Bar!" in the beer line at the Almaden Days Parade with his trusty steed Bugs.