Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November-December 2011 East Bay Hills Ride and Hike Report Right:Riding from Tilden to Sibley on the second day of the ride--photo by Anne Corder. Below: Hikers traversing Crockett Hills Regional Park on the first morning of the hike. Photo by Charles Ladd he 10th Annual East Bay Hills Trails TBenefit Ride and Hike had so much going for it this year. We had 44 hikers, who hiked up to 60 miles over 5 days, and 33 equestrians, who rode up to 100 miles in 6 days. Amazingly good food, beautiful trails, perfect weather for it, the human powered blender making both smoothies and margaritas, telescope view- ing, a naturalist expounding on tarantulas, an equestrian drill team performance, an in- spiring talk by 4-Wheel Bob Coomber, and a baby gray fox who stood on one of the tables in camp the final night... Oh, and the raffle was Continued on page 4 Continued on page 2 Page 2 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011 East Bay Hills Report

Continued from page 1 was won by an 8 year-old celebrating her birthday that very day... Behind the scenes, however, this was a challenge from the start. Our invaluable food coordinator for the previous 8 years, Bob Cooper, would be unable to join us this year. The campsite we really wanted proved to be unavailable, as did two key sec- tions of trail for the hike. Bay Area Barns and Trails, which in most past years provided $5,000 in matching funds, was unable to do so this time. Some major donors for our raffle in past years could not donate this time, and the economy hit us another way—sign-ups were really low just a couple of weeks before we started. And it turned out many of our key volunteers were unavailable. Our planning committee worked hard to overcome these obstacles and by the time we started it all somehow came together. Cathy Moyer, the Executive Director of Volunteers for Outdoor California, took over as food coordinator and brought the V-O-Cal kitchen with her. We started the hike in Crockett for the first time and included trail not generally available to the public. New donors stepped up to make our raffle and silent auction better than ever, and most importantly at the last minute a lot more people signed up to hike, ride and volunteer. Actually we had nearly as many participants as last year, although there were not as many who stayed for the entire event. We were also unable to replace the matching funds from previous years, but were still able to raise $12,500 while everyone had a grand time. This issue of the TWHA Newsletter is chock full of photos, memories, and vignettes from this year’s hike, with some other things as well. Thanks to everyone who participated—we hope to see you next year!

Above: Hikers on the Whopper Trail at San Pablo Reservoir on their way to Tilden the first day. Photo by Charles Ladd. Left: Jeanine Wolf's horse Kobe has covered more miles over the last few years than anyone else, even doing some days backwards and forwards! Photo by Anne Corder.

I think having everyone bring their own dishes/utensils was a good idea. The auction and raffle items were awesome! I love having the margaritas! This ride is my favorite! I absolutely love it! Thank you SO MUCH for all the time and hard work to make it happen! I hope to do it every year! ----Jeanine Wolf November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 3

Above: Marilyn Russell and Karen Schwartz led their horses to water and they drank! before heading up the hill (right) Middle: Hikers on their way from Tilden towards Sibley, while the horses waited at Tilden for their riders to return after dropping off their trailers at Sequoia Arena. Photos by Anne Corder and John Rabold

I did the first 3 days. I was pretty worn out but a person could do a minimum day on the 3rd day if they were doing all 5. I enjoy camping and having the meals etc made it very comfortable. Not carrying the gear made it heaven. The solar show- ers made it nirvana. This might be too much mileage per day for my wife and / or the average hiker. I hope to be back next year -----Hiker Comment

I love it and look forward to do- ing it again next year. I am surprised that the ride and hike doesn’t fill up as it is an amazing adventure like no other that one can have in the East Bay hills. I don’t know of any better way to experience the East Bay hills. Thank you so much for organizing this experience. ----TWHA Member Anne Corder Page 4 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011

At Tilden Park

Upper left: Hiker Jay Bailinson gives Cathy Moyer a massage on the first day. Jay gave free massages every afternoon, asking for donations to V-O-Cal and the Ridge Trail. Happy hiker and rider recipients donated $530. Middle left: V-O-Cal's shower tents were set up at Tilden by V-O-Cal crew leader and hiker Eric 'Bam-Bam' Barnett, while the solar shower bags heated in the sun. Lower left: The hkers convinced the Tilden Steam Trains to open a bit early when they passed by on their way towards Sibley the second day of the hike. Above: V-O-Cal crew leader and Save Mt. Diablo Naturalist Jodi Bailey makes fruit smoothies with the Human Powered Blender at Tilden. The blackberry, raspberry and strawberry smoothies were quite popular this year, though on Saturday night someone showed up with margarita mix! Photos by Anne Corder and John Rabold. November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 5 Riders and Hikers on the Move

As always, a big thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that donate their precious time to give all us riders and hikers a wonderful event. Hav- ing done this ride 9 years (all but the first), its no surprise to say its my favorite annually event! And such a great cause to help fund the Bay Area Ridge Trail. I came late on Friday because of pneumonia and wasn’t able to help out much, but nothing like spending time with your horse to regenerate, I was feeling better every day. The weather was great, the company fun, and the trails as usual lovely - just love French and Columbine Trails, even if my horse did get stung by a bee on Columbine on Monday! As usual the programs were entertaining, and if you were a rider and weren’t there Sunday night, you missed a very good Vet talk. Oh yes, let us not forget the massages - a wonderful way to relax those tired muscles and raise money! Last year I didn’t manage to get any but did this year! Again thanks to TWHA for running this ride and hike - I hope we made BART lots of money and the 70+ volunteer team for this ride rocks! ----TWHA Member Janice Frazier

Above: Janice Frazier on her Andalusian . Middle: Hikers on the trail in Sibley Volcanic Preserve. Left: Some of the hikers stop for lunch on the way from Tilden to Sibley. Photos by Charles Ladd and John Rabold

Pretty amazing with folks coming and going for less than 5 days. The cli- entele seemed to be a good group, and the over all administration seemed to accomplish/get everything done with- out ruffling any feathers. Quite an ex- cellent group of dedicated volunteers! ----Hiker Comment Page 6 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011 It's Dinner Time

The East Bay Hills Trails Benefit has always been known for its exceptional dinners, and this year there was no let-up! Top right: The line formed early at Sequoia Arena Thursday after we all nibbled on the appetizers (lower right) prepared by Victoria Shoemaker. After Sequoia to Bort was wonderful, but my favorite was the loading up their plates (top right) with the tri-tip prepared by Page last part of the Sunday ride through that wooded place Schorer and the wonderful side-dishes and vegetarian alternatives, [Columbine and Cascade Trails] where I expected fairies to the group settled down for dinner (lower right). In the background fly out from the shrubs!! EBRPD Naturalist Michael Moran is setting up for his talk on ----Rider Comment Tarantulas. Photos by Richard Friedman November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 7

Upper left: Ridge Trail Council Board members and hike leaders Gary Cook and Bob Siegel Quiet Time relax after hiking with Ridge Trail Super-Volunteer Jan Neufeld at Sequoia Arena, while (lower left) TWHA Horses Keepsake and Sin gobble some hay after a long ride. Upper right: Flowers in Tilden; Lower Left: Amanita muscaria mushroom on the Conlon Trail in Wildcat. Photos by on the Trail Anne Corder and Charles Ladd and in Camp

Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining the East Bay thing I have seen at an endurance ride. Hills Ride on Day 4 from Sequoia Arena to Bort Meadows. This is all thanks to Morris Older and a corps of dedi- If you’ve never taken part, you may not know what you’re cated volunteers, who put this together year after year. People missing. This is probably the best-organized leisure ride in come from far away to enjoy our hills, but even if you ride the country. If you’re used to competitions, as I was, I could here regularly you ought to give this a try. It’s for a good hardly believe how good it felt to relax, sleep in, ride at any cause, but don’t let that stop you, it’s some of the best fun pace and along any route (even the recommended one), you’re likely to have on horseback. and then enjoy better food and evening programs than any- ----TWHA President Gary Fitts Page 8 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011 Friday Night at Sequoia Arena

Friday night the Metropolitan Horsemen's Assocation offered a choice of chicken or portobello mushroom (left) with assorted salads to match for dinner. (Photo by Anne Corder.) In the meantime, hiker Jay Bailinson offfered massage sur- rounded by trees above the arena. (Photo by Charles Ladd) The arena, sporting a fence rebuilt by volunteers using funds raised by previ- ous East Bay Hills Trails Benefit rides, then showcased the Diablo Ladies Ro- deo Drill Team, which performed after dinner. (Photos by Gary Cook, extracted from his You-Tube video ) Following a short ride and hike meet- ing, hikers and riders alike made the short trek across Skyline Blvd. to the Chabot Space and Science Center, where amateur telescopes on the patio supplemented the views available through the largest tele- scopes open for public viewing west of the Mississippi. Photo by Charles Ladd November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 9 Back on the Trail Thanks once again for putting to- gether a wonderful event. The food Saturday was delicious and a pleas- ant surprise! 4-Wheel Bob was really fun. The best part, however, was watching Malik riding Skippy all on his own on while coming back on the MacDonald trail. We’re already look- ing forward to next year! The volunteers were great, as usual. ---Kudos! Chris Moisenco

Hikers on one of the many shady trails in the East Bay Parks. Below: Riders approach Bort Meadows with miles of trail in the distance. Photos by John Rabold and Anne Corder late. Can they live until my camp mate gets up to get water....I decide they can because if I take them both to water...with all the untying and walking and drinking and tying up again...I’ll miss another 20 min of my shift. I wanted to get there: last night there had been a very suggestive coffee-stuff- ing event and I wanted to see, and taste, the results, which were very good. And it was nice to have coffee. With breakfast to help cook and serve and lunch to lay out and then pack up...there was a lot to do. And lots of people to meet. All was going great...until my pal come to get me because the horses were not being coop- erative and it was going to take us both to get them to water and back to where they were tied for their breakfast. Then back to work on the lunch table, make my lunch, help put away the stuff. Then back to the horses to brush, clean, saddle up, put the bridle on, and pack lunch, water and the spare tack that I carry. Now to pack up all the horse stuff and the personal gear for camping. I re- Memoir of a Horse Volunteer ally need more coffee, but have not had time to get to the outhouse yet. And it’s do I need to get started with the work, the Camping in the East Bay Hills over time to hit the trail!. Why it must be 9:30 horses know I am up and out and they Labor Day is cold. Yes, it's summer - but by now! Where are my boots? Tighten make it clear that the whole camp will be that means fog early and late. So getting the girth again, check the rigging... in turmoil if I do not feed them NOW. So out of my sleeping bag in the fog to start Mount Up! Ride out. And relax..... after 2 trips to the hay pile to carry enough helping with breakfast is hard. And my -----TWHA Member Alice Puilipson alarm went off early! Because not only back for the 2 horses, I’m now15 min Page 10 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011 Saturday Night at Bort Meadow

Saturday night 100 hikers, riders and guests were treated to a Moroccan dinner with lamb and chicken ka-bobs orchestrated by Lila Abdul-Rahim, who has cooked every year for the East Bay Hils Ride, with the help of her all-star TWHA volunteers, including 2 past Presidents and our Treasurer. Right: hikers, riders and guests enjoying dinner. Afterwards 4-Wheel Bob Coomber (below) - gave an inspiring talk on his adventures wheelchairing the East Bay Hills trails and on mountains beyond. His advice: if it seems too hard, try it anyway, and you will be amazed at what you CAN do. Then came our raffle (story below), where everyone is a guaranteed winner, and our silent auction. See the list of this year's donations later in this issue. Photos by Anne Corder and Gary Cook

raffle, where each time a ticket is pulled, the winner gets to select the prize they want from a table that included CamelBaks, Marmot backpacks, an REI sleeping bag, tent, smart phone, Stephen Joseph photo, and all kinds of other hik- ing and equestrian goodies. 10 year-old rider Malik Broughton pulled the first ticket out of the bag and the first prize went to the day’s birthday girl, Isabel! Advice was coming from all sides—”Pick the smart phone,” “Get the CamelBak,” and a couple of other sug- gestions, but Isabel turned around and firmly said “No—I’m picking what I want.!” And after looking over the table she did exactly that, choosing a brand new shiny stainless steel water bottle. Her brother later won the smart phone, and his sister then won one of the CamelBaks, so everyone was happy, while Birthday Present--Winning Raffle Ticket their astounded parents, not accustomed to winning raffles, looked on amused. One of this year’s riders was TWHA then 3 year-old daughter Isabel on the ---by Morris Older member David Whittall, whom I rode with trail at Mitchell Canyon on Mt. Diablo. at the start of the very first East Bay Hills This year all 5 of them returned. David Ride in 2002. In 2006, David came for a and Zoe to ride, Corinne and James to I didn’t have a vehicle with me, so it couple of days, and his daughter Zoe and help David volunteer for a breakfast shift, was all very easy. Thanks to the son James each rode a day. His wife and Isabel and Zoe helped fill the solar horse people for agreeing to trans- Corinne came and they hosted an im- shower bags. Saturday was Isabel’s 8th port the hikers’ gear! promptu lunchtime birthday party for their birthday—and also was our East Bay Hills ----Hiker comment November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 11 Final Day Hiking I actually have been volunteering around and doing trail work in the Bay Area for a few years now. When I heard the opportunity to actually hike 60 miles of Bay Area Ridge Trail it was a no brainer. I would never get to see that much of the ridge trail on a solo trek. Ever. I actually even hiked some trail that I worked on in Oakland while we were at it. The food was excellent, the company was top notch and the experience was priceless. We hiked along the bay near Crockett Hills, wandered through Tilden and the hills offered there, experienced the Redwoods of Oakland near Joaquin Miller Park and summited the Dinosaur Ridge! Seeing this much of the bay from this perspective is a rare thing indeed. I very much suggest the hike and enjoyed it from start to finish.

---- Eric “Bam Bam” Barnett Editor's note: Bam Bam is a super volunteer who cleared the trail from the Tilden camp to Wildcat Canyon Road, helped load and unload the food truck, moved hay, assembled shower tents, and assisted all week long!

Sunday's hike began at Bort Meadow, traversed Anthony Chabot Park to the Willow View Trail (top), climbed Ramage Peak to Dinosaur Ridge (middle) in the EBMUD watershed and finished with a descent through Cull Canyon(below). Photos by Charles Ladd.

Overall very enjoyable-especially the good humor and guidance of volunteer leaders, guides and sweeps. I really appreciated Charlie, Gary and Bob. Food was very good and also the evening programs ----Hiker Dee McGuffrey

Just wanted to let you know that we enjoyed everything about the hike. We especially enjoyed meeting all the other people we met. That made the hike very fun. We hope to keep in touch with as many as possible. Thanks again Morris for all you do and did in putting this hike together and making sure everything went well, you did well! Please keep us posted in what may come up. ---- Mark, Lisa and Michael Page 12 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011 Sunday Night The hike over, on Sunday night, Victoria Shoemaker and Page Schorer returned for a sec- ond night to serve up a scrump- tious feast, and then Berkeley Veterinarian Alana Alpern spoke on emergency horse care.

Top right and lower left: Sunday's Dinner. Middle right Alana Alpern, DVM shows how to check pulse near the eyes. Photos by Richard Friedman. Bottom right: The morning (lower right) started foggy. Photos by Anne Corder.

I loved Alana’s presentation... she needs more time, like every evening! I felt her presen- tation was very pertinent to us riders and can imagine that she has so much more to offer. I did not know about the pulse point that she introduced us to or about wrapping horse’s legs in such a way as to prevent further injury. ----Rider Comment

Thank you for the amazing job you did!!!! I know it took many hours of organization and effort and I appreciate it very much. I am looking for- ward to next year and hope to do a longer stay. See you then!! --First time EB Hills Rider Val Kasnick November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 13 Thanks to Our Amazing Volunteers!

The East Bay Hills Trails Benefit Ride and Hike could not Corder and Irma Ruport volunteered to shuttle riders back have happened without the efforts of over 70 volunteers. A to the starting point so they could ride their horses between planning committee, which included TWHA members camps. Judi Bank, Inez Fort and Amelia Marshall helped people Morris Older, Judy Etheridge, Page Schorer, and Jane Binder, find parking places at Sequoia Arena, while Jane Binder di- Metropolitan Horsemen’s Association members Judi Bank and rected the parking at Tilden Park. Our hay purchases and Amelia Marshall began meeting in March to plan the eques- delivery were arranged by Judy Etheridge, Morris Older, Bam- trian ride. A separate committee of Bay Area Ridge Trail Coun- Bam Barnett and Ken Snetsinger. Water troughs were sup- cil members Morris Older, Gary Cook, Bob Siegel and Charlie plied, placed in strategic locations and filled by Judy Etheridge, Bowen, as well as BARTC Staff members Joel Gartland and Ken Snetsinger and by Tilden, Redwood and Anthony Chabot Dena Justice started meeting shortly thereafter to plan the Park staff. The wonderful horse and hiker crossing signs, hike. Our camp managers each day included Jane Binder, borrowed from Redwood Park, were set up and attended at Judy Etheridge, and Judi Bank. Morris Older served as overall Fish Ranch Road by Kathy Campbell and Doug Ross. ride and hike manager with able assistance from the co-plan- Sections of trail were pre-ridden or walked by Rachel ners and camp managers. Royce, Gary Fitts, Charlie Bowen, and Morris Older. Morris Our evening chefs were Page Schorer, Judi Bank, Lila Older wrote up the trail directions and takes full responsibility Abdul-Rahim, and Victoria Shoemaker, with Jim Townsend of for any errors therein. Morris made up the masters of the eques- the Regional Trails Department of the East Bay Regional Park trian trail maps, and Gary Cook made up the masters of the District providing dinner for the group one evening. Our hiking maps. Gary Cook, Bob Siegel, Charlie Bowen, Bill evening chefs were ably assisted by Jodi Bailey, Charlie Bowen, Warburton, and Sandy Venning served as our lead and Lisa McLaughlin, , Eric Shroeder, Jenni Smith, Golda Blum, sweep hikers. Morris Older made all arrangements with Richard Friedman, Ute Frey, Petra Liljestrand, Kim Abbott, the regional parks, while Judi Bank did the same with the City Cheryl Ann Fulton, Elie Geske, Inez Fort, Melanie Diamond, of Oakland and Joaquin Miller Park. Martha Benioff, Judi Bank, Joe Nieblas, Randy Hassell, Amelia Marshall, Judy Etheridge, and Kim Abbott arranged for our insurance. Kirsten Whitsett, Eric Shcroeder, and Ken Snetsinger, as well The hikers and riders were especially pleased this year by as the large number of riders and hikers who chipped in as the shower tents with solar showers that were borrowed needed. from Volunteers for Outdoor California and set up by Eric Bam Cathy Moyer, the Executive Director of Volunteers for Out- Bam Barnett, Becky Mertens, Corinne and Isabelle Whittall door California, provided our kitchen, purchased the food and Malik Broughton. The Human-Powered-Blender was for breakfast and lunches, and coordinated those meals. on loan from Chino Yip, and transported down from Napa by June Nakatini, Diane Ollis, Alice Philipson, Becky Mertens, Jay Ballinson. And we are especially grateful to Jay Bailinson, David, James and Corinne Whittall, Karl Saarni, Judy Etheridge, who after hiking, provided massage for 3 hours daily to hik- and Ken Snetsinger and numerous other hikers and riders ers and riders who donated to the event. helped provide breakfast and lunches. MHA provided dinner We were extremely fortunate to have evening presenta- tables and chairs used at 2 of the campsites and Kim Abbott tions by EBRPD Naturalist Michael Moran, who talked about helped move them. Judi Bank, Jenni Smith, Lila Abdul-Rahim, Tarantulas, by Margaret Obrien, and the Diablo Ladies Drill Page Schorer, Jim Townsend, Becky Mertens, Cathy Moyer Team, by 4-Wheel Bob Coomber, who inspired us with his and Victoria Shoemaker all helped with the shopping. wheel-chair adventures, and by Dr. Alana Apern, DVM, who Bort Meadow requires gate monitors at all times when spoke about emergency horse care on the trail. it is open, and Becky Mertens, Lisa McLaughlin, Elise Geske, We were blessed to have the artwork and design skills Page Schorer, Rachel Royce, Ken Snetsinger, and Judy of Debby Young for our tee shirts. The ride sales table at Etheridge all took turns. our camps was set up and tended by Morris Older, with help Volunteers were needed to pick up the hikers at BART from Judy Etheridge. Irma Ruport, Charlie Bowen, Gary Cook and then drop them off at the end of the hike. Thomas Beck and others sold raffle tickets, and Malik Boughton helped Bobbie Landers, Irma Rupert, Bern Smith, June Nakatini, Irma pick the winners.. Ruport, Morris Older, Lisa McLaughlin, Amelia Marshall, Pat Our emergency trailer on call was provided by Inez Corder, Rachel Royce and Ute Frey stepped up to get the job done. Kathy Campbell, Doug Ross, Lisa McLaughlin, Pat Continued on page 15 Page 14 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011

Thanks to our Generous Donors

Orinda Village Horse Shop Safeway Sportage riding helmet $125 Gift Cards Stephen Joseph Vista Madera Tack Mt Diablo Photograhic Print Grooming Box with hoofpicks, riding Page Schorer gloves, brushes and more Tri-Tip for 70 Western Saddlery Victoria Shoemaker Hay bag, brush set, misc. tack Food for hungry riders and hikers Wilderness Press Sports Basement Trail Guidebooks and maps Desert for 70 and a $50 gift certificate Bay Area Ridge Trail Council Peet’s Coffee Wine, wine glasses, bags, and water Coffee and Tea bottles Ariat Sandy Greenblat Gift Certificate for Boots Marin Equestrian Guide Save Mt. Diablo Riders and Hikers who cancelled Mt Diablo book, map and hat And donated part of all of their fees Reactor Panel Saddlery Riders and Hikers Saddle Pads, tack, lotions and more Who donated numerous raffle prizes Amelia Marshall The French trail with the Red- 12 bottles of wine wood trees, that we did on Saturday, Bay Nature Magazine was amazing. Gift Subscription ---Hiker Comment Janice Frazier Dog and cat baskets Thanks to Our Volunteers

Judy Etheridge was amongst our enthusiastic Continued from page 14 newsletters, and several hiking clubs raffle ticket vendors. Photo by Anne Corder Fort. The manure trailer was transported helped riders and hikers throughout the This year’s East Bay Hills Trail Ben- by Peter Bank and Amelia Marshall. Bay Area and beyond to find out about efit Ride and Hike was greatly assisted TWHA web guru Gary Fitts posted the ride. Charles Robiins wrote a nice by the generous contributions we re- our ride info on the website, and many press release about 4-Wheel Bob ceived both for the ride and for our silent riders, and family members pitched in Coomber. See the separate listing of our auction and raffle. We deeply appreciate whenever they were needed. When some- donors and sponsors, who assisted in the following donations: thing unexpectedly needed to be done, our fund raising effots. there were last minute volunteers who Finally, the ride and hike would not REI rose to the occasion. TWHA, MHA and have been possible without the coop- Tent, camp chair, sleeping pad, sleeping BARTC extend our deep and sincere eration and aid of EBRPD’s Tiffany bag thanks to all of the volunteers who as- Margulici, Dee Rosario in Redwood, CamelBak sisted. If we have inadvertently neglected Sergio Huerta, in Tilden, Alison Rein in 5 CamelBak filtration packs and 12 water to mention your name, please know that Wildcat, Jeff Manley in Sibley , Janet bottles we have valued your assistance. With- Gomes in Chabot, Jeff Crowle in Roberts, Marmot out all of you this event would not have and Jerry Richardson in Kennedy Grove Three backpacks and a sleeping bag been possible. and other park staff. EBRPD was exem- East Bay Regional Park District A number of organizations and plary in fixing trail, setting up water, and Dinner for 65 for hikers and campers groups helped with the 5-Day Ride. In helping to ensure that the ride worked Clif Bar addition to TWHA and MHA the assis- for everyone. The City of Oakland Fuel for our hikers and riders tance of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Coun- was also very helpful in facilitating our Pop Chips cil, and Volunteers for Outdoor California abilityto camp , hike and ride at Joaquin Snacks for our hikers and riders was essential. Publicity from horse club Miller Park. November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 15

EBATC Picnic at Pt. Pinole

The 4th Annual East Bay Area Trails Council Picnic and Multi-Use Excursion was a rare opportunity for trail users of all stripes to get together and celebrate the beautiful open spaces of the East Bay, and get to know each other better, a chance to celebrate what we all have in common: a deep and abiding love of trails, the outdoors, and taking a little trip through the same. Sharing trails is the es- sence of EBATC's message, and actually doing so in a highly cooperative, and fun- brought all kinds of horses, including a salmon, Vegie burgers and chicken, and loving way can lower barriers faster and Mini (nammed Minnie) and covered the watermelon. The bicyclists brought lots more effectively than any other activity. trails with bicyclists including a tandem of beer to share, and everyone had a great This was the first time the picnic was bike pulling a ababy carriage. After the time. held at Pt. Pinole and over 60 trail users, hike and ride, the East Bay Regional Park Group photo by Sean Dougan including 30 equestrians took part. They District provided a BBQ replete with

Finders Not Keepers in Tilden Park by Morris Older

Early in the morning on September 23 Metropolitan Horsemen's Association President Melanie Diamond and her friend Greg were walking their dogs in Tilden Park when another hiker warned them that there was loose horse ahead. So she quickly went to her nearby home for a halter, found the horse on Seaview Trail and called me. I went up and we walked him back to the Orinda Horsemen's Association pasture and determeined that he was Micki, TWHA member Doug Ross's gelding.

Early in the morning, the OHA horses sometimes hang out at the very top of their watershed pasture near Seaview Trail. Every once in a while hikers in Til- den cut the wires on the fence there. Years ago EBMUD Naturalist Jim Dunne, This time Micki was by himself, and went up and repaired the fence. wallking early in the morning, found 17 though quite well behaved, was happy Thanks to Melanie's quick action the horses in Tilden Park. He found the dam- to get back to the pasture. He had only situation was rapidly corrected. She was aged fence line, and used his belt to lead minor scratches from going through the impressed by Micki's personality, and the lead mare through the fence and the fence, and was soon back in the pasture. asked a couple of times if "Finders Keep- horses followed. Meanwhile a couple of OHA members ers' could be the rule here... Page 16 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011

Coming Soon: Horse Trailer Parking in Wildcat Canyon Park by Lisa McLaughlin vocal neighbors – called ‘Friends of Wildcat Canyon’ – also kept up their campaign for public exclusion, citing environ- In a triumph of public process over private interest, the mental damage, safety concerns, historic precedent, unmet prior East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors voted unani- land use commitments, and many other allegations designed mously to approve the proposed expansion of the Wildcat to derail the planners’ proposal. Canyon staging area and create safe horse trailer parking spots At the July Park District Board meeting, the Alvarado/Wild- along with a trailer turn-around area. This improvement – which cat parking proposal was again publicly scrutinized and then utilizes and slightly expands an existing paved area — will at put to a final vote. 17 speakers, both equestrians and neigh- last make Wildcat Canyon accessible to equestrians without bors, made statements for and against the plan. Then each impinging on surrounding neighborhood streets. board member had their chance to comment: it was gratifying The public process began in September 2010 when Park to hear each of them voice their support of horses in Wildcat District land use planners held a public meeting to present a Canyon. Many Board members called this parking improve- proposal for improvements to Wildcat/Alvarado Parks. Their ment ‘just a first step’ toward realizing the long-term, multi- initial plan, intended to address picnicking families’ increasing layered plans to improve these parks. They reaffirmed the use of Alvarado Park, was to add and improve pedestrian/ commitment to continued restoration of the creek bed and even- ADA access into Alvarado from the adjacent Wildcat staging tual removal of a culvert bridge, but in the short-term, the use area as well as expand the staging area car parking capacity of an existing paved area to improve parking for Alvarado pic- from 17 to 38 car spaces. nickers and equestrians was deemed sound. One board mem- Members of the Tri-City Horsemen’s Association as well ber even said he felt “the horsemen have been patient long as many TWHA members attended that first presentation to enough.” express the desire that horse trailer parking be included in the Now the plan is approved and implementation will soon be parking expansion plan. Many park neighbors turned out for scheduled, but the ‘Friends of Wildcat Canyon’ are still trying the meeting as well, opposing any plans that would result in to quash it. In the past the Friends have successfully stopped improved public access adjacent to their properties. Wildcat/Alvarado improvements by calling in the media and The unexpected turnout of equestrians at that 2010 meet- crying environmental foul. This time around they have gotten ing caused the park planners to revise their proposal to in- the ear of local media (Contra Costa Times and East Bay Ex- clude trailer parking. The equestrian-friendly revised proposal press) and in the past few months one-sided stories denounc- was submitted to the Board for their review and ultimately, ing the plan and the Park District’s ‘stewardship’ have run. It their vote. is vital that TWHA members actively and vocally support the For the nine months following that initial planning meet- implementation of the approved plan: watch for and rebut ar- ing, the participation of the horse community at additional ticles in the media, promote community access to this public public comment meetings, in letter/e-mail campaigns, and resource, and enlist the support of other groups that share our through an online petition kept equestrian interests along with interests. We’re almost there! the desire for improved public access in front of the planners and the park Board. At the same time a group formed by a few

Flash Mob Hits Yellowstar

By Diane Ollis Q: What do you call a dozen bags of uprooted star thistle? A: A good start!

Taking advantage of a recent rain, Rose Marie Hoffman (standing, left) induced Bay Laurel riders (including a few not pictured) to clear a section of roadside along Lomas Cantadas of the horse-hostile prickly weed on Sunday, November 13. November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 17

of cartilage. The cows don’t like this. Are you surprised? I get one on the wrong A Day In The Life: side of the ear. But, hey, it’s a cow not a fashion statement. Out on the ranch you She’s Gone Country just have to be effective. I have to say the orange earring looks pretty cute. Yar Har matey! I hope they work. Even though the heat and the lack of humidity decimates the flies Ma Nature makes them so prolific we’re always doing battle. It’s not so much different out here than it is in the city. What am I saying? It’s totally different out here. You can go to a movie, you can go to dinner, you can go to the store. It’s just a truck ride away. But everything else is different. What’s different are the unending chores and repair. Then if you don’t have some kind of system you are a prisoner of your animals and you can’t go any- where for very long. Kind of like having children. City folks do have this issue. I’m not denying that. It’s just that out By Renee Benoit aging him and finally he settles in and here with a boat load of critters it’s just follows the cow in a relaxed way. Good exponentially on a different level. I’m sitting here at the computer. It’s for the day. Let’s go on to the next project. So what you do is find the local horse freakishly hot outside at 103 degrees. This is putting insecticide ear tags on barn and you make friends with the owner Marty was willing to go out in the heat the cows. Marty corners them, wedges and you take your horses over there if and move the cows back to their normal them in between two fence panels and you want to go out of town. You figure pen and I was happy he didn’t need help. holds their heads. Then I take the great out an automatic watering and feeding I’ll just sit here in the air conditioning and big blue ear piercer and do the deed. It’s nd rd Continued on page 19 type. got to go between the 2 and 3 sections We got up early this morning to get ahead of the heat so we could work the horses on the cows. The sun was peek- ing over the Sierras waaaay off in the east- ern distance. It was a great big red or- ange and the air was still and cool. We pulled ”Buford”, our Guernsey steer, out of our little remuda and took him over to the big arena. We have to make an alley of fence panels to do this. The horses get worked just culling him out of the group. Marty’s horse Blue works cows great. He watches them and is interested. I think he may make a great cow horse someday and with his slow relaxed lope he could even make a great western pleasure horse. On the other hand my horse JB has all this great Hancock blood in him but is monumentally uninterested in cows. Looking this way and that way but never at the cow. He just wants to go back and hang with Blue. Yet I keep gently encour- Page 18 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011

Gone Country Continued from page 17 system for your chickens and make sure their pen is big enough to handle them being cooped up for a few days. You can still take the dog to the sitter but you need to pile enough hay in there to last the cows for the duration and make sure the floats are working everywhere and then and only then you drive off. Oh, yeah, get the neighbors down the way to look in on them from time to time to make sure Buford didn’t put his foot through the fence. I can’t write this article without men- tioning dust. I thought we moved to Tracy but I actually think we may have gave you more while you were sleeping. least to a greater degree than I had be- travelled some kind of time warp into the Just get used to it. Channel your inner fore. You can almost get bored with be- Oklamona dust bowl. At least that’s how lover of grunginess. ing able to ride every day. It’s not a di- it feels. Everywhere you look is that beau- I realized at some point that being a lemma anymore. Laundry, grocery shop tiful sandy loam soil that makes the Great member of OHA for nigh on to 25 years or ride? You can do it all. Put in the laun- Central Valley the salad bowl of the na- really did prepare me for this life. I was dry and go saddle up the horses. Come tion. already familiar with electric cross fenc- back in and have a big cold glass of ice But there’s a real downside to it. It’s ing, pasture management and various tea. After wards have an immediate shower the endless supply of dust. You thought necessities like laying in a supply of hay to rinse off the dust. you wiped off your counter but , oh no! for the winter. Same thing for the plumb- There’s the morning and you drive off Well, you did. But it came right back! ing and fence repair. I don’t really miss to work and you’ve just petted your horse Where did you come from? I know. It’s having neighbors on top of me. I like be- on the nose and you know he’s happy the dust fairy that flew in last night and ing able to be master of my own fate. At because he has some buddies to hang out with and 3 squares a day and 360 de- grees of vistas to gaze at. Life is good. He’ll be there tonight and ready when you wipe off the city and throw on the saddle and take little hack out by the canal in the twilight. The alfalfa fields are alive with thousands of yellow butterflies and the sunset is magnificent and the peace settles down like that good earth dust and you’re happy.

Tracy photos courtesy of Renee Benoit TWHA Trail Work Day on August 27th

Thanks to everyone who came out Kim and Morris tackled the poison oak. nizing it all! August 27th to make riding in Tilden a Lisa and Morris improved the drainage Thanks again everyone. Maybe next little better — Diane Ollis, Eric Schroeder, on the connector between Vollmer Peak time we’ll have beer for the workers. Heather da Cunha, Kim Abbott, Lisa Trail and South Park Drive. All of these Thanks also to Tilden Park staff for Mclaughlin, Morris Older, Susan Palo, and trails were used the next week on the East arranging to rehabilitate lower Vollmer Gary Fitts . We whacked brush back along Bay Hills Trail Ride. Peak Trail going uphill from Big Springs upper and lower Vollmer Peak Trail, and And thanks to Susan Palo for orga- Picnic Area. November -December 2011 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter Page 19

2011 TWHA Board President: Gary Fitts 510-524-3729 [email protected] Vice President: Kirsten Whitsett 925-283-1997 [email protected] Co-Recording Secretaries: Lila Abdul-Rahim 925-284-9218 Zoe [email protected] Whittall Ute Frey 510-204-0698 with Pearl Moon. [email protected] Photo Treasurer: courtesy Kim Abbott 510-655-4195 of David [email protected] Whittall Membership Secretary: Page Schorer 510-525-9675 TWHA Horse News [email protected] Newsletter: TWHA Member Zoe Whittall's member Madeleine Kirsch wrote Morris Older 925-254-8943 ‘new’ horse is SQR Pearl Moon, a pure- that " I’d like to share this with you [email protected] bred grey Arabian Grey Mare born in and the people who know Rufus. Trail Work: 2003 out of KJ Patrinka (Pure Polish Many TWHA members knew about Susan Palo 510-548-2724 daughter of *Karadjordje+++) by Moon his horrible accident when he was still [email protected] Seeqr. Pearl is living at Bay Laurel Ara- an endurance horse and might be Historian: bians in Orinda. Zoe rode Pearl on the happy to learn that Rufus does very Debby Young 925-254-1408 Bort Meadows and Lake Chabot sec- well in his new career. He and I won [email protected] tions of the East Bay Hills Ride in today the two first level dressage tests Setember, and also competed in the Cow- we participated in (against big ole EBATC Representative: boy Camp NATRC ride near Cache Creek warmbloods). at in Pleasanton at Yarra Marilyn Terstegge 925-254-5430 a few weeks later, where she was the first Yarra Equestrian. Center." [email protected] place horse in the CP division. David Members At Large: also reports that his wife Corinne is riding Alison Martin 510-559-9534 again. Together, Zoe and Corinne are [email protected] making sure that Pearl has a good train- Jennifer Rader 925-689-0198 ing schedule each week and that she will [email protected] be ready for the 2012 endurance season. Eric Schroeder TWHA member Renee Benoit [email protected] writes that she has found new homes Jane Binder 510-524-3300 for her horses Brego (see picture) and Jenni Smith 925.386.5580 Dusty. who has been accepted on pro- [email protected] bation at Project RIDE., which she de- Becky Mertens 510-981-0780 scribes as a premier therapeutic riding [email protected] school that has it’s own barn and ranch, Lisa McLauglin 510-843-6720 near Elk Grove, within sight of the non- [email protected] functional Rancho Seco nuclear power plant on rolling non-steep pasture. She notes that the horses get out every day The TWHA Newsletter aims for bi- for their bareback pad ride with handlers monthly publication- Written and OHA members will recognize Brego, on either side and a leader. They work photo Contributions gratefuly ac- shown here with Vaulter Eric Garcia earlier for a week then they go out to pasture cepted--see email address above. this year, shortly before Brego joined a top Please reprint anything herein, but do to be a horse for a week. varuling team in Woodside. Photo courtesy give us credit. And earlier this year, former TWHA of Renee Benoit Page 20 Tilden Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter November -December 2011 TWHA 2012-3 MEMBERSHIP FORM Inside: EB Hills Trails Benefit Report ...... page 1 Name(s)______new or ____renewal At Tilden Park ...... page 4 Address______Phone: ______Dinner Time ...... page 6 City, State, Zip______Do you have a trailer?______Drill Team ...... page 8 Email______Our Amazing Volunteers ...... page 13 Check here if you would NOT like to receive TWHA emails______Our Generous Donors ...... page 14 Names of equestrian members______EBATC Picnic ...... page 15 Finders Keepers? ...... page 15 Horse name(s)______Trailer Parking for Wildcat ...... page 16 Events or projects you may be able to help with ______Yellowstar Flash Mob ...... page 16 2012 Dues Enclosed; $20 individual__ $25 family___$10 junior__ She's Gone Country ...... page 17 2012-3 Dues Enclosed; $35 individual__ $45 family___$15 junior_ TWHA Trail Work ...... page 18 Send form, and check to: Page Schorer, TWHA Horse news ...... page 19 625 Liberty, El Cerrito, CA 94530 ([email protected])

Monday, January 23- 6 p.m- TWHA Annual Membership Meeting with Guest Speaker, Lindsay Graham, DVM, who rode the fastest recorded 100 miles in US history in 2011. Join us at the at the Fern Cottage at Kennedy Grove Recre-

ation Area. Watch for reservation and ticket information coming soon!

equested r ection r cor ess addr

Orinda CA 94563 CA Orinda

50 La Encinal La 50

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