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After 17 years of volunteer service, Tama retired from the L.A. County Police Mounted Unit, and its predecessor organizations.
She turned in her 9mm Beretta pistol, which she had to qualify with bi-monthly. This was always high tension time, but she always managed to pass.
Her first training began in 1989, when Miss Hi-Fi and Dusty were conditioned to be unflappable. They became immune to gunshots, flares, sirens, flashing lights, and bags waved in front of their faces. All this necessary in crowd control.
In 1996 she and three others went to the Sheriffs Academy in San Bernardino, four hours every week night and week-ends for five weeks, to qualify as reserve officers, required to carry a pistol. It was over a two hour drive each way. Such dedication!
Her unit was mainly involved in patrolling County parks. A highlight of the year was patrolling "The Love Ride," where 25,000 Harleys met at Lake Castaic to raise money for muscular dystrophy.
Tama is a remarkable gal and I, Howard, am proud of her!
The Valley Horse Owners Association would like to add it’s voice to acknowledge Tama’s years of public service, and wish her a long and healthy retirement. Of course, we expect to see her spending all that extra time riding and enjoying the trails.
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The Valley Horse Owners Association would like to warmly thank Elaine Canter and Julie Morris for their many years of dedicated service on the VHOA Board of Directors. Seen below at the 2002 Awards Ceremony Julie on the left, Julie’s husband Doug in the center, and Elaine on the right.
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Burbank, Calfornia--The 2nd Annual "State of the Horse" Trails Congress & Convention was held Saturday January 27th, 2007 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Despite stormy conditions, several hundred attended the all day event. The morning session was highlighted by a bevy of speakers commenting on "The Impact of the Horse Industry." Among the participants were Nancy Cole of The Equestrian News, Dr. Mylon Filkins, American Horse Council, and representatives from various state, county and city governmental agencies.
The afternoon program included presentations in the equidome by several equestrian groups including the Compton Jr. Posse, Ladies of the War Horse and Valley View Vaulters. Los Angeles City Council Members Wendy Greuel and Tom LaBonge were present to offer encouragement and to meet the crowd. We had dozens of vendors present selling their wares to distributing information on their groups.
The event was cosponsored by Valley Horse Owners Association, Los Angeles Trails Project, War Horse Militaria Heritage Foundation and "New Heaven on Earth Ranch." A raffle was held with the highlight being a western saddle donated by Champion Turf Equipment, valued at $3,000, being won by Royan Herman.
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center was kind enough to donate the use of not only their banquet room but the equidome as well. Much information was exchanged and everyone had a good time. The 3rd Annual State of the Horse is scheduled for March 2008 at the Los Angeles Pierce College Equestrian Center. If you would like further information please call 818 470-5235.
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There really would not have been a Rose Parade without horses. According to the official history of the Tournament of Roses, it was members of the Valley Hunt Club who voted to stage the first parade on January 1st, 1890. "A parade of flower-decorated horses and buggies."
What a difference a hundred years makes. Two thousand plus people attended the first Tournament of Roses. Today, it’s estimated nearly one million people come to Pasadena for the festivities. The parade is televised nationally and in 75 countries around the world.
It wasn’t until 1901 the first motorized vehicle was allowed as a float entry in the Parade. The autos were relegated to the rear of the parade so they would not spook the horses. Football joined the festivities in 1902.
Although it was equestrians who founded the Rose Parade, there was a slight undercurrent at the 2007 Parade that equestrian entries were being relegated to the rear half of the parade. The tradition of rotating a horse, float, and band entry seemed to have changed this year to only a few equestrian groups in the parade lead.
Starting with CBS television opting out of live coverage of the parade in 2006, USA Today reported Parade organizers to be looking at new ways to bring entertainment to the Tournament of Roses. It was certainly true in 2007 as the delightful inclusion of Star War Storm Troupers marched down Colorado Blvd in full regalia.
It’s not a short road for an equestrian to join in the Rose Parade. Participation in the parade for an equestrian group or entrant starts months and even years before one may be invited. Applications for the coming year must be received by the equestrian committee prior to May 15th.
With a million people coming to watch the parade, experience of both the rider and horse is of paramount importance to ensure safety of both riders and spectators. Breed, costume, presentation, riding proficiency and experience are all factors weighed in the riding groups selected for each year’s parade.
Two events make up the equestrian participation in the Tournament of Roses--the Equestfest held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in late December and the Rose Parade itself on New Years Day.
Experience and training are important factors for equestrians wishing to participate in a parade on the scale of the Tournament of Roses. Smaller parades and public exhibition are steps on the path. One of the qualifying parades for equestrians is the Spanish Days Festival in Santa Barbara. Each year more than 500 horses and riders, and a 100 entries participate in the Santa Barbara Parade held the first week of August.
A variety of equestrian organizations participate each year in the Rose Parade--drill teams and show riders, special breeds, mounted platoons, traditional and heritage to carriages and wagons.
Is it worth it? Well, one always hears about how much work it is and the preparation. The stories abound about arriving the night before with rig, horse, tack and costume. Trying to catch a few hours of shut eye in the cab of the truck or on a pile of tack. Waking long before the winter sun rises to tack up and be ready for your position in the parade. For some, the adrenalin runs all night with nervous anticipation and worry about this piece of tack or that piece of decoration.
The parade starts as the sun clears the buildings along Colorado Blvd. Riders, floats, bands and the Parade starts down Orange Grove and turns down Colorado along the five mile route. Is it worth it? Not one rider doesn’t shine with a bit of pride and answer the question with a quirk of a smile and say, why yes it is. It's the Tournament of Roses.
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A Saddle Up trail ride and lunch, benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was held at Ranger Field in Lakeview Terrace on January 21, 2007. Area 7 (Corrals 10, 12. 20, 38, and 210) of Equestrian Trails, Inc. (ETI), in collaboration with the San Fernando Rangers and the Ranger Sidekicks sponsored this event and are very proud to have raised in excess of $5000 for a wonderful charity!
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, TN. St. Jude freely shares its discoveries wit scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by their insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
The San Fernando Rangers and Area 7 of Equestrian Trails, Inc., worked together harmoniously to organize and manage this event. Special thanks to the band Team Honky Tonk for entertaining us at lunch. We are all thrilled that Mother Nature blessed us with great weather and that the Rangers. the Sidekicks, and the ETI members and friends who contributed were so generous with their support. More than 50 people participated in this event, including approximately 44 who rode the trail. As many of our "Saddle Up" supporters said, "We are so happy to have children who don't need the services of St Jude's Children's Hospital-we are happy to help those kids who aren't so lucky."
St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC. its fundraising organization. For more information please visit www.stjude.org
Lake View Terrace--Councilmember Wendy Greuel hosted a horse chip-a-thon, to promote horse safety and offer low cost micro-chips to equine owners eager to track their animals. The Lake View Terrace Recreation Center was filled with horses, as veterinarians safely equipped equine with the micro-chips..
Councilmember Greuel, along with Animal Services and Recreation and Parks Departments, sponsored the event to ensure that horses could be re-united with their owners in case of natural disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires. Animal Services can scan the micro-chips implanted in misplaced horses, and immediately access the name and contact information of the horse owner.
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 © 2002-2007 by the Valley Horse Owners Association. All rights reserved.
