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The following reprinted email from Beth Palmer describes the current situation facing Malibu Valley Farms in the Santa Monica Mountains and the assistance they are requesting from fellow equestrians. Malibu Valley Farms has been targeted by the Coastal Commission for shut down on the alleged pretext horses are not livestock, but pets and so fall under the Coastal Commission jurisdiction to regulate. The Coastal Commission has moved the next important hearing on the Farm to San Luis Obispo, a 160 miles away from the ranch’s location in Calabasas and the hundreds of supporters of the Farm. Does this fit the definition of a fair hearing?
Over the years, members of the Valley Horse Owners Association have participated in several rides hosted by Malibu Valley Farms. This is a state of the art, modern horse breeding ranch and stables located on agricultural land. Please take the time to offer them what assistance you can--letters of support, etc.
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As you know, the Coastal Commission is trying to shut Malibu Valley Farms down and we are literally fighting for our life in July. Our hearing is set for sometime during the week of July 9-13, although the exact date will not be set until June 15th. The hearing will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo. We are asking the equestrian community to come out in force and show the Coastal Commission that the equestrian community is strong. To do this we need to flood the Coastal Commission with letters of support. I am asking everyone to try and obtain 10 letters. If we all get our 10, we will be able to make an impact [for a copy of the sample letter contact Beth at beth@malibuvalley.com]. People simply need to sign the letter, add their name and address and send it in.
In this email, I will summarize our situation to pass along to people, but the California State Horsemen Association has been kind enough to post everything on their website for us so it may be easier for people to go there for all of the information. The CSHA website is http://www.californiastatehorsemen.com/trails.htm.
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To summarize, Malibu Valley Farms has been an agricultural farm since it was a part of Gillette Ranch in the 1920s. The Boudreau Family purchased the property in the mid-1970s, formed Malibu Valley Farms, and has owned the farm ever since. The Boudreau Family offers its equestrian facilities to local ETI Corrals for children’s play days, staging areas for REC (Recreation and Equestrian Coalition) rides through public trails and is a recognized evacuation center for horses in cases of fires, floods and earthquakes.
In 1996, a fire ravaged the area and Malibu Valley Farms took in over 100 horses in addition to its own. The Boudreau Family is proud to say that they, with the help of their farm manager and his family, were able to save every single horse even though the fire came right through the farm. However, in order to do this, they had to allow the fire to destroy the structures -- they could not save both. In fact, as the farm manager was saving the horses, he and his wife watched their own house, which was located on the farm, burn down with all of their possessions.
Malibu Valley Farms began the process of re-building over the next couple of years and in 1998 was cited by the Coastal Commission for violating the Coastal Act by not seeking a permit to rebuild the farm. Malibu Valley Farms applied for and received an exemption from the Coastal Commission to rebuild as they were replacing existing structures. A few months later, after receiving an anonymous call that the structures were not all in place before the Coastal Act was adopted, the Coastal Commission revoked the exemption and again cited the farm for violating the Coastal Act. After years of trying to work with the Commission Staff, we are finally going in front of the Coastal Commission for a Coastal Development Permit in July.
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The controversy with our application involves the distance between our structures and a creek. The Coastal Commission generally requires a 100-foot setback from any creek but we do not have that much land. 100-feet would put our barns, arenas and horses into the street. As a solution, we are seeking a permit to have our structures approximately 50-feet from the creek and implement various measures to ensure that run-off does not enter the creek. These measures include having vegetated buffers between the structures and the creek, having a vegetative bio-swale that runs the entire length of the creek, and installing gutters and downspouts on our roofed structures to collect rainwater and direct it to the creek via underground pipes so that it never comes into contact with the bare ground. We also have a best management practices plan in place for the daily maintenance of the farm and our farm even won the award for the best farm in waste management for all of LA County. We believe that with all of these measures in place, and there is published scientific research proving these methods work, we have addressed and resolved any concerns the Coastal Commission may have regarding run-off into the creek. The Commission is not satisfied though and wants a 100-foot setback regardless of whatever else we do. They have no science to back up this arbitrary setback, while we have offered studies, published reports and a fully engineered plan on our side. The Coastal Commission staff is recommending denial of our permit. They have already issued Cease and Desist and Restoration Orders against Malibu Valley Farms so if we are not issued a permit in July, we will be shut down immediately.
We believe the Coastal Commission’s desire to keep horses off trails is the reason the Coastal Commission Staff is so against Malibu Valley Farms. State parks no longer allow people to park their horse trailers and access trails. People cannot use their parks to "stage" their horses. But Malibu Valley Farms is a private facility that they cannot control. So they are trying to shut it down. Additionally, the Coastal Commission is taking the position that horses no longer qualify as agriculture because they are not "food or fiber." Thus, the Commission believes that horses no longer are exempt under the Coastal Act and are using this to shut down farms. This issue was raised by the Commissioners at our first hearing in November and we have a videotape of those statements if people would like to view them.
Malibu Valley Farms is very important to the community because Malibu Valley Farms has opened its property to the community, free of charge. Any person may park their trailer and access the horse trails from Malibu Valley Farms. Malibu Valley Farms hosts children’s events throughout the year and is home to several pony clubs, princess riding clubs, and ETI chapters. Their arenas are open to the public. Additionally, Malibu Valley Farms hosts the Compton Jr. Posse, a riding group from the east side of Los Angeles, where underprivileged kids from the poorest part of town, come to Malibu Valley Farms to ride. We have letters from the leader of this group in which she tells us that the kids love coming to our farm because they can play and ride without the fear of being shot. Malibu Valley Farms hosts an annual ride through the Santa Monica Mountains where over 100 riders come out to support the equestrian community. As stated above, Malibu Valley Farms is a recognized evacuation site for horses during natural disasters. Malibu Valley Farms is an invaluable asset to the equestrian community and if the Coastal Commission shuts it down, the community will truly suffer. At our first hearing in November, over 40 members of the community got on a bus and spent the day at the hearing to give their support to the farm. This may be a small farm owned by the Boudreau Family, but it is important.
The Coastal Commission moved our second hearing to San Luis Obispo, 200 miles from our farm. We believe this was a strategic move on the part of the Coastal Commission in an attempt to keep our supporters from being able to attend. Thus, we are looking for a flood of letters of support on our behalf. We are certainly not the only horse owner in this situation and know that if we all stand together, we are much stronger than any owner alone. Any suggestions or additional support would be incredible and greatly appreciated. People can go to the website above to find a full history on our situation, a copy of our management plan and sample letters to send in in support of our application. We also need people to attend our hearing if at all possible.
Thank you again for your email and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or if there is any other information I can provide. My phone number is (818) 880-5139 and my email is beth@malibuvalley.com
Charlotte Brodie lead the June ride for Los Angeles City Councilmember Greigh Smith's ride on the Chatsworth Trails. The ride concluded on the picturesque trail navigating the base of Stoney Point.
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Please attend the VHOA dinner next Sat, June 16th 6-9PM at the Mandarin Terrace at 8815 Sunland Blvd.
The future of VHOA depends on YOU. This is VHOA's 35th anniversary year (in September). I hope to see another awards dinner.
The current board is of the opinion that we have been doing this too long. We are trying to find current VHOA members to take on board positions to keep VHOA going. You must be a member in good standing for at least 3 months to vote in a new board, or to be on the corporate board. (Anyone can be appointed as directors or liaisons or committee members and we need many of those too).
Tom Barrabee, and Sheila Mears, VHOA members since the 80's and past board members, will say a few words about VHOA's early days (Tama, previously announced as a speaker, cannot make it). Steve and I will give short summaries of our work.
VHOA, as an association, should represent the interests and vision of its membership, which we believe it does, at least somewhat, since so many of you have supported us for so many years and we have a steady flow of new members. Steve and I have just kept going, sort of on automatic pilot, with help from Natalie, Julie, Sheila, Tom, Elaine, Lynn, Nancy, and others that bring us news and who have helped us with the few events we have organized over the past 5 years. However, we feel, that the work being done and presented should be more representative of what the membership wants, and more should contribute to make it more relevant.
Know that Steve and I have kept going because we know the impact we, as a group do have-you write lots of letters, faxes and emails, you go to many hearings, and you forward calls for help to many many others. We have quite a large network, I estimate in the thousands and even in the 10's of thousands if and when those politically active also forward to their lists. Our website averages between 7-10,000 visitors EACH MONTH with about 50-75,000 hits EACH MONTH. I have passed on our VHOA experience to many many other people in many other places NATIONWIDE. I believe this work and presence is important and valuable and should be continued. It is time to step up, don't think someone else will take care of this.
Thank you for all your interest and support all these years. All we need are a few people to step up to take some board positions and we can keep going as we have. I hope to see you next week.
WHEREAS, any official position of the City of Los Angeles with respect to legislation, rules, regulations, or policies proposed to or pending before a local, state or federal government body or agency must have first been adopted in the form of a Resolution by the City Council with the concurrence of the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2005, H.R. 503 (Schakowsky D-Illinois) and S. 311 (Landrieu D, Louisiana) were introduced to amend the federal Horse Protection Act (HP A) to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, and selling of horses and other equines to be slaughtered, for human consumption or for other purposes; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 503 and S. 311 would authorize the United States Secretary of Agriculture to examine or test horses which are sore (i.e., burns, cuts, lacerations) or appear to be sore at exhibitions, sales or auctions; and
WHEREAS, the above bills would also raise the appropriation for enforcement of HPA from $500,000 to $5,000,000 annually; and
WHEREAS, horses and other equines play a vital role in the collective experience of the United States and deserve protection and compassion; and
WHEREAS, horses and other equines are domestic animals that are used primarily for recreation, pleasure and sport and their preservation should be made a priority;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, with the concurrence of the Mayor, that by the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Los Angeles hereby includes in its 2007-2008 Federal Legislative Program SUPPORT for H.R. 503 and S. 311 which would amend the Horse Protection Act to: (I) prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing and selling of horses and other equines to be slaughtered, for human consumption or for other purposes; and (2) increase the appropriation for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act from $500,000 to $5,000,000.
PRESENTED BY Wendy Greuel, Councilmember, 2nd District on April 10, 2007.
Many of you were at the City of Los Angeles CPC hearing. I have already been asked about the 14 points.
After 40 years of the words "City Planning" being an oxymoron, The Los Angeles City Planning Commission and new Director of Planning Gail Goldberg put their new 14 Points to the test at a General Plan Amendment hearing to match density and zoning to preserve open acreage in our wild land areas.
Jane Usher, President of the Commission made it clear that the City Planning was going to participate in Real Planning, and that the applicants and developers seeking major zoning changes were no longer going to have a department which simply facilitated their plans. Land speculators basing property purchase prices that the zoning can be changed may need to reevaluate project sites closer to mass transit and away from hillsides.
These 14 points are the inspiration for a new day in Los Angeles. This is all a result of the Mayor's hiring Gail Goldberg last year.
Ever wonder what it would be like to gallop on the back of your horse holding a 10 foot lance in one hand, your reins in the other, and have the skill to pick off a small ring suspended in mid-air? This is one of the skills learned and practiced along the way for the ultimate event, Jousting in the 21st Century.
Like a knight in times past, in armor (albeit lighter), with helmet closed, lance extended, shield presented, charging down the aisles, one meets the other rider. Today’s jousting is about accuracy, skill, and safety, not about unseating the other rider. If these events sound like an interesting endeavor, you might consider taking the time to learn more about the American Jousting Alliance.
According to the Alliance, it was founded with the purpose of establishing a set of rules, guidelines, and safety standards by which competitive tournaments could be held.
The tournaments consist of 4 areas of competition. They are Ring Spearing, Shield Quintain Hitting, Spear Throwing, and Sport Jousting. The first 3 contests are collectively known as "skill-at-arms games". These skills are relatively easy to learn according to James Zoppe, the Founder of the American Jousting Alliance. "They’re a lot of fun when competing against others whether it is at an official tournament or around the stables."
"As you might imagine, sport jousting takes more time to learn and to become proficient," stated Zoppe. "The confidence it builds. The excitement and exhilaration it brings to those who take the time to master the techniques. These are well worth the effort. Riders learn to regulate the intensity of their hits to keep their comrade in arms safe."
James Zoppe runs a training school teaching the skills and techniques. According to Zoppe, his training methods have been developed over the years with an emphasis on safety with respect to people and horses.
Training headquarters are located in Frazier Park, California where the organization hosts a variety of classes, seminars, and training tournaments. Clinics are held at various locations to accommodate equestrians interested in the growing sport. Training can be undertaken on one’s own horse or the facility can provide a mount.
The Alliance stages a number of shows and tournaments at various locations throughout the year where its members gather to have fun showing off their skills and competing against each other in front of a thrilled audience. As the sport grows, the Alliance hopes to find sponsors and televise events.
For further information on the Alliance, visit their website on-line at www.jameszoppe.com. [Editorial Note: As with any competitive sport or equestrian activity, one should use good judgment in determining one’s suitability and physical conditioning for the endeavor, training and skill level, and understand the risks before pursuing the next step in the activity.]
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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.
Copyright © 2002-2007 by the Valley Horse Owners Association. All rights reserved.
