CSHA History

The California State Horsemen’s Association, Inc., (from hence forward be known as C.S.H.A.), was founded in October of 1941, just two months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association hosted a meeting in San Jose for Representatives of all of California’s Riding Clubs and Associations with the purpose of forming a State federation of Horsemen’s Association for legislative strength, so as to preserve equestrian riding and hiking trails and camping facilities within publicly controlled Forest and Parks. With the Declaration of World War II upon us and gas rationing a sad fact, there was not too much done about plans for the new organization and it remained in the back pasture for several weeks.Nevertheless in 1942, a small convention was held at the De Anza Hotel in San Jose. The Honorable Edward M. Fellows, from Morgan Hill, was elected the first President of C.S.H.A. He was also an Attorney and Justice of the Peace. Judge Fellows helped establish the first bylaws of C.S.H.A. Since the first elected C.S.H.A. President there have been Supreme Court Justices, Judges, Lawyers, Doctors, Mayors, City Councilmen, Authors, and even a woman in 2003, Nadette Raymond, who have held the title of President of California State Horsemen’s Association. In 1965 our first female to hold elective office was Ms. Denzil Gallaher; as she was elected as Vice President.

The first member clubs were as follows:

January 2, 1942 Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association
January 16, 1942 Sonoma County Riding and Driving Club
February 19, 1942 Sonoma Cavaliers
February 19, 1942 Sonoma County Trail Blazers
February 19, 1942 Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association
March 28, 1942 Sacramento County Horsemen’s Association
June 30, 1942 Sacramento County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse
July 15, 1942 San Francisco Horsemen’s Association

These clubs were referred to as the “Eight S’s” and were the foundation of this new statewide organization whose sole purpose was to serve the horsemen of California.

C.S.H.A. was formed on March 3, 1942. There are twenty geographical regions, currently three are inactive. The Regions are within three areas; Northern, Central, and Southern California. C.S.H.A. represents the pleasure horse industry and pleasure horse owners. In the beginning C.S.H.A. was not divided into Regions, but after realizing that the organization would be easier to organize in smaller groups the areas and regions were developed to make the programs more manageable.

George H. Cardinet, Jr. California Trails Activist

In 1946 George H. Cardinet, Jr., a.k.a. “the Father of the California Trail System”, is credited with having mapped and routed more than 200 miles of trails throughout the East Bay region.

Also in 1946, the first C.S.H.A. “Blue Ribbon” horse show was held in Santa Barbara in conjunction with the Association’s annual convention. The show was for C.S.H.A. members only. This practice continued through 1958, where at Paso Robles there were 336 entries, several years prior to this the shows averaged about 330 entries. Pressure from exhibitors, trainers, and horsemen in general, brought about the change to its becoming an open show, and the 1959 open show, held in Turlock was an immediate success as the entries were over 1000. A year later C.S.H.A. began accepting individual memberships.

At the 1963 C.S.H.A. Convention and horse show held in Fresno, members of the Association found that holding the horse show at the same time as the Convention was just not feasible since many members and Delegates were involved with the show as well. Consequently, the following year the horse show became an entity in itself and was staged in Santa Rosa.

For many years the show was held alternately in the South and then in the North, which proved to be confusing to exhibitors because there were instances when a show would be switched from one location to another due to various problems. For example, when the show was held in Palm Springs in 1951 a sand storm blew in, completely halting the show when visibility was cut to less than 50 feet. With the changes in location, show management also changed and in many cases the new manger would not be aware of the problems that existed the previous year.

In 1966 at the annual C.S.H.A. Convention the E/W high point program was introduced. It was originally offered as a youth program, but was later expanded to include amateur adults. The show was held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa from 1966 through 1986. From 1970 through 1972 the entries were 6181, 6907, and 8600 respectively. Many believe the high number of entries was due to the fact it was in the same location for so many years, as well as the fact that Gymkhana was offered for the first time in 1970. At times portable stalls were brought in to accommodate the high number of entries after the permanent stalls were filled. The horse race track was divided into several arenas for the Horse show (now known as the Show of Champions) to assist the week long event run smoothly.

The first Committee to be formed was the Equestrian Trails Patrol program (ETP). The primary purpose for this program was to create a friendly relationship with both the State Park and local officials by being an extra set of eyes and ears reporting conditions of the trails, especially after stormy weather, as well as admonishing other equestrian trail users on being aware of the State trail rules. The Program today is still very active in several Regions, some as individual riders while others are groups designated as volunteers as State park assistants.

Photograph of President Reagan riding his horse "El Alamein" at Rancho Del Cielo (April 8, 1986).

President Reagan riding “El Alamein” .

One of the important organizers of the ETP was C.S.H.A. Past President George Dean, who was also a member of San Mateo Horsemen’s Association. In 1967 he with others went to Sacramento and presented the Governor, who was an avid horseman, with an honorary membership in C.S.H.A. and also an Equestrian Trails Patrol member. The Governor would later become the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.

In 1970, California State Horsemen’s Association decided it needed to have a program to help our young ladies be prepared to compete in other pageants. This program would help young ladies learn the ways and traditions of the other pageants that were considered the next step onto a State and National level of horse and Rodeo traditions for girls. To date the only traditional rodeo event for girls was barrel racing. This was considered the next logical program for the California State Horsemen’s Association as we have always been a horse Association whose existence counted on the youth, our next generations to carry C.S.H.A. forward.

A wonderful lady by the name of Barbara Bolund, who was considered very classy by many, would step forward and take charge of this program. It would surprise nobody when she insisted on very high standards. For those named to represent their region as Miss CSHA Barbara had seminars for them to attend and learn rules, etiquette, and of course class. Barbara wanted very much for others to respect and look to our Association’s Royalty program.

Brittany Slatton

In 1975 C.S.H.A. held its first competition and it was won by Barbara Nargana. Almost twenty years later the program would expand the program to include the Ambassador program for boys. In 1997 they added the junior phase of the program to help introduce more kids to the Miss and Ambassador Program. Barbara Bolund would be proud to see the Royalty program go from one title to six and see many girls go on to compete for other titles. Three examples would be Miss CSHA 2006, Brittany Slatton, who went on to become Miss California High School Rodeo 2007. Brittany also competed for Miss Grand National Rodeo on the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association circuit, along with Kate Fike, a Region1 Gymkhana Rider. Recently crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas, Amanda Jacobsen, was Miss CSHA 2003.

Kate Fike

In 1971 an Endurance Riding committee was started when C.S.H.A. recognized the importance of distance riding and horsemanship. An Endurance ride is a competition to test the speed, endurance, and ability of the horse.

The first Mariposa 50 Ride was held in 1977 by locals Chester & Gloria McWilliams and Bob & Lorna Webb. The ride took place in the

Amanda Jacobsen

Sierra National Forest in the Jerseydale area as well as across private land. C.S.H.A. sanctioned the ride of over 100 riders.

In 1979, the ride was sanctioned by C.S.H.A., American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) as well as the Inter-National Arabian Horse Association, (IAHA). This was the first year the 25 mile ride was added with the 50 mile ride. Since this was an IAHA Championship Ride, they presented two saddles and many awards to the top ten riders.

The Crescent Arabian Association was very active in Mariposa at that time and Al Dunn came up with the idea to change the name of the ride to “Run for the Gold” as gold from Mariposa was given to the first 5 riders in the 50 miler weight divisions. Ron Theodore managed the ride from 1980 to 1985, when his brother Rich took the helm until 1988. The ride then had a 10 year hiatus until 1998 when the Theodore family started it up again.

The Mariposa Mountain Riders sponsored the ride from 2003 thru 2005. Once again C.S.H.A. sponsored the 2006 and 2007 ride. In 2008 the 15 mile “Fun Ride” was added for riders interested in seeing what endurance was all about without actually having to compete.

Prior to starting their endurance ride each equine entered in the ride must be checked over by one of the ride Veterinarians. The Head Veterinarian lets riders and crews know the ride criteria (maximum pulse rate of the horse allowed in order for the horse to continue) as well as how long each hold time (length of time each rider must stay at each Vet check before continuing).

Each rider is checked off the starting list as they begin the ride and the volunteers from Mariposa County Search and Rescue, Sheriff’s Posse and Scope, write down each riders number as they pass them at different check points along the trail. They then radio the numbers of the riders back to base camp so we know where riders are and no one gets lost.

Each rider who completes the 25 or 50 miler receives their choice of a buckle with the ride logo, or two wine glasses with the ride logo as their completion award. The top 10 riders in the 50 miler also receive a gold nugget, mined in Mariposa as their special award.

In 1976 the Walnut Creek Hospital Women’s Auxiliary gave up the opportunity to host the Day at the Races event. Barbara Bolund was asked to be the State Chairperson, but she had just started the C.S.H.A. Royalty program and wanted to focus there. Beth Carrithers was the first Day at the Races chair and ran it the first three years until Barbara took over in 1979 and ran the program until 2002. After serving as C.S.H.A. Day at the Races Chair for 23 years she retired and was given two and a half dozen Roses by our then State President, Norm Sims. Becky Gage took over as chair from 2003 thru 2005. The current chair is Jean Leonard.

In 1986 the Clements Cutting Club sent a representative to the C.S.H.A. convention. Many people were interested in this delegate as she was carrying 22 votes. She, on the other hand, wanted to know just what C.S.H.A. was going to do for the cutters. She, along with several others started working “on a plan”. The Clements Cutting Club representative decided the only way to get this done was to start attending each and every C.S.H.A. meeting…both at Region and State levels. The following convention was an eye opener, State President Steve Herrera told that representative “you’ve got your program; Do not cost me a dime”. Her answer, “we will not cost you or C.S.H.A. a penny”.

That year many friendships were formed, lasting bonds were formed based on the common interests of team roping, cutting, and team penning. LOTS of meetings were held in hotel rooms, restaurants, even a lounge or three. The following convention this bunch had to really scramble. Somewhere along the way Mr. Herrera “suggested” they come up with a resolution forming what is now the C.S.H.A. Stock Competition Program.

The year end events were spread out over Region IV that first year; Penning in Waterford and Cutting in the Clements area. Over the years the program has grown, faltered, and ultimately survived…with many changes! Cattle sorting and drafting have been added to the program. Team roping now offers the Bill Haines memorial scholarship; to the most improved youth roper. A perpetual trophy, dedicated to the region with the highest participation each year has been donated.

The Trail Riders Awards Program was established in 1988 to recognize and honor the trail rider who is the foundation of the California State Horsemen’s Association (C.S.H.A.) and to encourage the use of riding and hiking trails by the members of C.S.H.A. Riders keep track of the number of Hours they trail ride and send a copy of the log to the program chair. It’s that simple.

In 1990 the Show of Champions (SOC) was formed by Linda Quattlebaum and the first SOC was held in October at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock. The SOC is not a show rather an event that combines the State Championship Shows for the programs currently involved, including Gymkhana, English/Western, Royalty, and Horsemastership. The SOC is the largest annual gathering of C.S.H.A. members.

The first year’s Gymkhana winners received sweatshirts which read C.S.H.A. Gymkhana Top 5. There were about 85 riders the first year. Other disciplines began joining the Gymkhana program in Turlock. Stock Competition was held in the arena at night as soon as Gymkhana finished. It was soon discovered that gymkhana was growing fast and using the arena until late at night and it was decided to hold Stock competition elsewhere, we even had riders trying to juggle Trail competition and Gymkhana. With English/ Western joining the Turlock championship competitions the idea of a Show of Champions evolved. Turlock was soon outgrown and the SOC moved in 1997 to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville where the SOC continued to grow for almost 10 years. Sweatshirts had given way to medallions, fancy ribbons, silver buckles, neck ribbons for the horses, and a Gymkhana scholarship.

The last year of competition in Watsonville saw a Gymkhana Championship with over 200 rider/horse combinations. In 2006 the SOC was moved to the Sonoma County fairgrounds in Santa Rosa where there was more room. In addition to medallions, fancy ribbons, silver buckles, and neck ribbons for the horses we now also give away saddles, breast collars, and halters thanks in part to the 2006 Gymkhana chair Becky McCorkle and an idea to have riders bring in Sponsorships. The rider who brought in the most sponsorship money would also win a saddle.

California State Horsemen’s Association, Inc. is California’s oldest and largest horsemen’s association with approximately 20,000 members. The membership includes direct and indirect members. The California State Horsemen’s Association state office is currently in Clovis, but in the early sixties the state office was located in Santa Rosa, where to this day, we still own the building.

Other important key events in C.S.H.A. History include:

In 1968, George H. Cardinet, Jr. was invited to the white House for the signing of the National Trails System Act, by President Johnson to recognize him for his accomplishments.
1969 C.S.H.A. Convention adopts the Charitable Trust by Resolution to promote education through C.S.H.A., its members, and the Equestrian Community by holding, husbanding, and disbursing funds for C.S.H.A. programs and outside groups.

Prepared & Compiled in 2008 by Kirk Siedentopf Region 1 President

Contributions by 2008 Royalty Contestants*, Jack Abrahams, Pat Chappell, Sydney Cutting, Bev Hardwick, Jean Leonard, Virginia Nichols, Richard Theodore, Ed Rom, Linda Quattlebaum, Lorna Webb, Paulette Webb

*2008 Royalty Contestants Speech topics were CSHA History related and State Chair Linda Jacobsen mailed in all of their speeches.

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