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Please mark your calendars for January 28, 2006 for the Los Angeles "State of the Horse" in Los Angeles City and County Convention and Conference.
VHOA is co-sponsoring, with The (New Heaven on Earth Ranch) Foundation, this First Annual Conference: "The State of the Horse in Los Angeles City and County--Realize Rim of the Valley--Effective Strategies and Solutions".
Valley Horse Owners Association has been working over thirty years to preserve the quality and character of our horse keeping communities and open spaces.
The (New Heaven on Earth Ranch) Foundation is a National Heritage Foundation leasing land from the All Nations Church to establish the Johnny Carpenter arena and later a museum. The foundation is working on bringing the Chuck Wagon back just in time to offer us lunch at this conference.
We will have two sessions in two locations: a presentation to our political representatives at all levels of government (location TBD); and a convention in trade show style from noon to 4PM in the afternoon, at the All Nations Church for the afternoon session.
We are preparing invitations to both leaders of key equestrian groups and to our representatives. Seating is very limited for the morning session, and is by invitation only. Each equestrian group is invited to send one representative for the morning session. We will contact you very soon.
The afternoon session is open to the general public and will be held in the All Nation's Church at 10000 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace, 91042.
We are inviting key speakers, and groups and equestrians from all aspects of our multi-billion dollar horse industry in the afternoon. Our purpose is to offer keynote speakers and presentations, and gather all the equestrian groups both the non-profits and the commercial enterprises to network and showcase our respective associations, works, services and products, and to talk about the state of the horse in our communities in 2006.
We will showcase an analysis and a strategy and seek your support.
All are welcome to fundraise, and/or sell their wares or services and/or to peruse the booths, shop, and meet the participants and attend the presentations.
So far we have lined up presentations by The California State Horsemen's Association, Chatsworth associations and groups, an update about the Rim of the Valley, Shadow Hills Property Association, Lake View Terrace Home Improvement Association, our watershed and land use issues, Foothills Area League of Conservation Organizations and Neighbors (FALCON), the ETI National perspective with local ETI insights, an update from the Wild Horse & Burro Association, news from the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, and representatives from many Neighborhood Councils.
We are in the process of contacting equestrian groups and inviting speakers. We will have some equestrian specialists, one equestrian (and human) chiropractor (schedule yourself and your horse). We will have at least one or two equestrian supplement specialists to talk about equine supplementation and their products.
We continue to look for more participation and welcome your input.
We envision a trade show style venue with non-profit and business booths and presentations.
If you would like to have a booth or give a presentation, please email me at president@vhoa.org, or contact me at 818-771-0156.
The All Nation's Church is very generously offering us their beautiful facilities in Lake View Terrace enabling us to receive about 1000 attendees and participants.
Future events will be held in different geographical locations throughout Los Angeles County to facilitate participation of the different communities throughout the county.
Invitations and flyers will go out very soon. Watch our website for the latest developments.
This is an exciting time. The horse community has the opportunity to educate and inform our elected officials and those seeking public office about the necessity to appreciate and understand how the equine community benefits our entire economy and well-being of the community.
If you have any questions or if you need more information, please contact president@vhoa.org, or call 818-771-0156, or Michael Carpenter at lamikec@yahoo.com.
The Foothill Trails Neighborhood Council’s (FTNC) "Day of the Horse, Celebrating Community" was a full day out of equestrian events and community activities starting at 9:00 AM and wrapping up well after sundown. Dale Gibson hosted the festivities at Gibson Ranch in Shadow Hills celebrated on Saturday, October 22nd. The Gibson Ranch presented roping and penning in the morning. The FTNC opened the ceremonies mid-day with a Grand Entrance and Awards Presentation followed by a range of equestrian demonstrations and activities. The day was completed in the afternoon with a costume contest for the kids, barrel racing and gymkhana.
This year’s event was dedicated to the work of Muttshack animal rescue. Amanda St John from Lake View Terrace had just returned from Muttshack animal rescues in post hurricane New Orleans to receive city and congressional recognition. California Assemblymember Cindy Montanez made the presentations to Amanda St John and Muttshack from Los Angeles City Councilperson Wendy Greuel and U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman.
It was only fitting our equestrian friends received recognition too. Special service awards were presented to Shoshone of Ravensview Ranch in La Tuna Canyon, Dusty of Dusty's Riders from Glendale, and Durango of Wallace Ranch in Lake View Terrace.
Community riders and groups contributing to the event were the Flag Presentation by New Buffalo Soldiers, National Anthem sung by Cile Borman, Awards Presentations by Assemblymember Cindy Montañez, Compton Junior Posse (Compton), Los Charros de Rodriguez y Solis (Sylmar, Pacoima, LVT), Historic Korean Cavalry costume (LVT), Sunny Bright Ranch Peruvian Pasos (Compton), El Rancho de Cache Paso Finos (La Tuna), Los Charros de las Familias Matuz y Campos (LVT), Bobby Jones Performance Horses reining demo (Shadow Hills), Native American Buffalo Hunter (Ashlynn Lawrence, LVT), Francisco Rodriguez, Rosendo Solis trick roping Senna Ranch Paso Finos (La Tuna), "Hurricane Debbie Ryan" Barrel Racing, and entertainment Cowboy Songs by Don Dunham.
This year’s Foothill Trails Neighborhood Council Day of the Horse was co-sponsored by Vaquero Heritage Foundation and the Valley Horse Owners Association.
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Resource Conserv-ation Districts (RCDs), once known as Soil Conservation Districts, are "special districts" of the state of California, set up under California law to be locally governed agencies with their own locally appointed, independent boards of directors. Although RCDs are established locally by the rules of a county's Local Agency Formation Committee (LAFCO), and they often have close ties to county government, they are not county government entities. (Excerpted from the RCD Guidebook at www.carcd.org/yourdistrict/sourcebk-1.htm).
California's 103 Resource Conservation Districts, cover over 85% of the state, offer a broad range of resource conservation services such as assistance to producers, watershed management, restoration projects as well as education and outreach. The RCD's are known for achievements that benefit their communities. Districts' credibility, established among political and public supporters, is the direct result of their proven responsiveness to changing and growing local needs. The scale and scope of the projects they accomplish is a symbol of their conservation mission made possible by the effectiveness of RCDs at forging working partnerships with agencies and groups For more information about RCD's go to www.carcd.org for more information.
The West Hills Hunt was founded in 1947. It was initially the idea of several recently mustered-out infantry officers from Ft. Riley, Kansas, just after the end of World War II.
Among them was George A. Burns and Dan Dailey, the famous MGM song and dance star. George was the club's first president and Dan served as Master of Foxhounds from 1952 to 1960. The club then consisted of a large number of Hollywood luminaries, including Ronald Reagan, Randolph Scott, John Huston, Spencer Tracy, Walt Disney, George Raft, and Burgess Meredith.
In 1955, a young kennelman was officially hired by
the club as huntsman. Since that date, Huntsman Dave Wendler has served with great distinction and flair.
The club hunts twice a week during the California hunt season, usually from mid-November through March on Wednesdays and Saturdays. West Hills' country includes large cattle and sheep ranches in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern counties. The kennels are maintained in Chatsworth very close to Dan Dailey's original ranch.
West Hills is a private pack, Recognized by the Masters of Fox Hounds Association of America in 1959. We welcome foxhunters from anywhere in the world. For the most up-to-date information on fixtures and events, call the West Hills Hunt Monitor at 213-891-4000.
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Thank you to all who attended our last meeting to vote in the new board!
At the last 2005 board meeting (November 3rd) and elections, with a VHOA membership quorum present, we unanimously decided and voted on changing the VHOA board meeting time.
The new meeting day and time, starting in January 2006, will be the 4th Tuesday of each month, at the LVT Recreation Center West Room. The large meeting room on the west side of the building at the back of the building. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 26, 2006.
Elaine, our Treasurer commented once upon a time, long, long ago, this was the VHOA meeting time. Everyone agreed there were less public meetings scheduled that week, so more could attend our meetings including those present in the room.
I want to welcome and thank Deb Bauman for joining us on the Corporate Board as our new Vice President for 2006.
Deb is a great contributor to the equestrian community with all that she does to help showcase horsemanship. We greatly appreciate all her work for the Day of the Horse at Gibson Ranch. We also greatly appreciate all the groundwork she did to establish and put in place the Heritage of Horses at the San Fernando Valley Fair, which was co-sponsored by the Vaquero Heritage Foundation and VHOA. We had about a 150 riders this year, and with the fantastic response, turnout, and interest, next year will be even bigger.
Just after she was voted in, we asked her how she ended up in our communities. Deb replied that she used to trailer in to ride in the Hansen Dam and especially for the Sidekicks' and SFV Rangers' Poker Rides and BBQ's and live music parties after the poker rides. So after about a year or so, she decided she would save a lot of wear and tear and gas if she just moved here! We’re happy she did!
Most of us know she is also active in protecting our watershed, and she spearheaded saving the Hansen Dam Lakes when she single-handedly went to Washington a few years ago to lobby for our cause. She has been the VHOA Historian for a couple of years and we are very happy she has accepted our nomination and has been voted in as VP.
Our meetings are board meetings, which are open to the membership and public. We discuss board and appointed director projects and plans and what actions, letters or positions to take on various issues. If you know of issues in your neighborhood, you may bring them to us for discussion and networking. We also need more liaisons to share news with us too.
I have decided with board support, to hold large quarterly public meetings aside from our board meetings. These meetings will have a theme and at least one speaker and hopefully even a potluck if any of you still cook after taking care of your horses. The first annual one of these--a very large public event--will be held January 28th.
This year the Recreation Equestrian Coalition Annual Ride honored Nancy Cole (upper left) for her work in founding and publishing the Equestrian News, the premier news magazine for Los Angeles City and County equestrian news and events. Ruth Gerson (upper center) made the presentation to Nancy Cole during their traditional western barbecue that follows the ride through the Santa Monica Mountains.
REC has been instrumental in Los Angeles County land use and zoning issues impacting equestrians and recreational riding in the Santa Monica Mountains. The annual ride passes through some very beautiful mountain areas and locations used in Hollywood movies.
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Time has run out. Los Angeles Trails and open space have been reduced in many areas to public utility easements, 2 parks, and "dirt sidewalks" in urban tracts that serve as riding and hiking Trails. These are isolated into "islands" with no plan to connect them. Citywide Planning has established designated routes, but trails have not been dedicated or built. The RIM portion of the trail must link to entry points in the recreational trail network within 1/4 mile of urban communities via urban trails.
Rim of the Valley needs your help. Be an advocate that will support the last remaining habitat, rural and agricultural areas and promote saving land for a trails network that will keep open access and continuity between such popular locations as Griffith Park, Verdugo Mountains, Simi Hills, Santa Monica Mountains, Browns Canyon, Tujunga Wash, Los Angeles River and Angeles Forest. Visit their website at www.latrailsproject.org.
Valley Horse Owners Association meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Lake View Terrace Recreation Hall on Foothill Blvd. between Orcas Ave. and Clybourn Ave. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM. All members are welcome. We normally meet in the west wing.
| President | Carol Ford | President@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Vice-President | Pam Mitchel | VicePresident@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Secretary | Julie Morris | Secretary@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Treasurer | Elaine Canter | Treasurer@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Evac & Trails | Tama Lockwood | EVAC@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Membership Chairperson | (Opening) | Membership@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Newsletter | Stephen Ford | Editor@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Historian | Debra Baumann | Historian@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Directors at Large: | ||||
| West Valley | Kent & Melissa Lovelady | WestValley@VHOA.ORG | ||
| Liaisons: | ||||
| Lisa Keene | Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council | |||
| Ginger Friend | Equestrian Networking & Coalitions | |||
| Jan Kelly | Kagel Canyon Home Owners Assoc. | |||
| Sheila Mears | Lake View Terrace, Hansen Dam, Sidekicks | |||
| Nancy Snider | Lake View Terrace Home Owners Assoc. | |||
| Nancy Berns | Shadow Hills Property Owners Assoc. | |||
The members of the Valley Horse Owners Association are your neighbors and fellow equestrians. We share common interests such as the agricultural zoning in our communities, preserving our semi-rural lifestyles and using our land for horse keeping.
Our membership keeps up to date on issues in the community, city and county government that effect horse keeping and land use. We attend public hearings and promote cooperation to preserve our quality of life and to ensure we are represented by our elected officials.
The Valley Horse Owners Association acts as a clearing house for information and a liaison between the horse community and officials and politicians.
Land Use: We promote cooperation between residents and organizations on equestrian issues, land use, planning and zoning matters. We realize that only by uniting can we have a strong voice in city government and prevail against the reckless development that threatens to eliminate horse keeping areas or changes in legislation affecting equestrians. We attend Land Use hearings, City Council hearings, etc., and act as advocates for the horse keeping community.
Trails: Our members report on trail conditions and usage. We cooperate with other organizations and Trails Councils to maintain and acquire dedicated multi-purpose trails.
EVAC Unit: Four teams stand by, equipped with trailers and two way radios to evacuate horses and other animals to designated 'safe areas' in case of flood or fire. In past years, we worked with the Santa Clarita Sheriffs Department and with the Wildlife Way Station in responding to fires.
The Hoof Beat: We publish a newsletter once a month called the The Hoof Beat. The newsletter covers issues related to horse keeping, land use, zoning, trails and public hearings as well as a calendar of events, reprints of equestrian articles and local news briefs.
VHOA.ORG:The web site offers us a place to provide more information, publish an electronic copy of The Hoof Beat, archive earlier issues of the newsletter, and a summary of on going issues.
Community Involvement: Many of our members are also involved in property owner associations and other community groups. This enables our membership to network across the San Fernando Valley sharing information and working as a united front to support the preservation of land use and zoning for horse keeping.
Click here to print membership application
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Copyright © 2002-2005 by the Valley Horse Owners Association. All rights reserved.
