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This is the third in a series of articles showcasing Arabian horses excelling in activities outside the show arena. We will be traveling around the globe to highlight the versatility of the Arabian horse in ways you may never have imagined!
This month, journey with us to northern California where Arabians excel as trusty mounts in patrolling the mountain trails for two state recreation areas.
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here is a dedicated group of riders in Northern California who patrol trails in the Folsom Lake State Recreation and Auburn State Recreation areas. The majority of them use their Arabians and Half-Arabians — many of whom are former or current endurance horses. In fact, many of the patrol riders changed to using Arabians after becoming active in endurance riding prior to their patrol work. This all-volunteer group of riders has a wide range of duties that range from trail maintenance to looking for lost hikers or providing CPR to someone who has had a heart attack. The volunteers also provide information to law enforcement if they spot illegal activity within the park area. Although the riders are not rangers, they are on the trails frequently, and can get to areas on horseback that might not be accessible to rangers in vehicles. Patrol members must undergo intensive training for themselves as well as their horses (see sidebar) and must pay for their own uniforms and equipment. The Folsom Lake trail patrol group was founded over 30 years ago by Frank Herald, who was the chief ranger at the time. While in the beginning there were only 20 active members,
California State Mounted Patrol riders pictured from left to right: Sarah Konst, Leslie Bisharat, Denese Holden, Diane Dixon-Johnson, Ray Santana, and Janet Pucci, all riding purebred Arabians or Half-Arabians. 84 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ MARCH 2014
arabian the patrol group now has over 100 volunteers. They are a fully recognized volunteer program for the California State Parks and have been a model for other mounted units in other parks in California. Janet Pucci and Ray Santana were two founding members of the patrol and ride their Arabian horses while on patrol. As avid riders, they had seen problems on the trail as avid riders and felt that this was an opportunity to be “eyes on the trail” for the rangers and the Parks Department. In addition, they felt that it was a way to give something back to an area they enjoyed using. Initially they did not have Arabians, but then became interested in endurance riding and having Arabian horses inevitably followed. Ray feels that he has become a better rider since doing patrols and has forged a better relationship with his horse as well. Ray rides the Anglo-Arabian gelding Mi Ronnie Lott (Mi-Donafix x Teacher’s Pet by Nakha Sarab). Ronnie’s full sibling, the bay gelding Pets Fixsimile, is ridden by Janet Pucci.
Leslie Bisharat joined the patrol in part because she really values being outdoors as much as possible. Her horse, purebred Arabian R Sierra Sky (Indian Bey x SS Zaars Taza by DRF Azaaronek) has given her an entirely different riding experience compared to her previous two patrol horses, a Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse. “Her agility, surefootedness, willingness, and attention to her surroundings is just amazing,” Bisharat says. “She is also incredibly trusting, which makes me feel not only that we have a good partnership, but that I’m safe on her.” Denese Holden rode Quarter Horses for many years until friends introduced her to endurance riding and their Arabian horses. “I started crewing for them on the Tevis Cup,” Denese says, “and that experience opened my eyes to the Arabian horse, their amazing athleticism and their incredible passion to move. My horse, ‘Susie,’ She’s A Steele (Remington Steele x Uptown Girle by *Aladdinn), is an accomplished endurance horse and placed seventh in the Tevis Cup in 2007.
Ray Santana with his Anglo-Arabian gelding Mi Ronnie Lott (Mi-Donafix x Teacher’s Pet by Nakha Sarab).
Janet Pucci with Pets Fixsimile, the full sibling to Ray’s gelding.
p a r t 111 How To Pass Your State Park Mounted Patrol Certification When Your Horse is Afraid of Everything by Ja e d e Mi l o s l a v i c h When I retired in 2009 from a high-tech fast-paced life, I wanted to be involved with trail advocacy, ride my horses, and in some way benefit my community in the Grass Valley/Auburn area in California. So, when my dear friend Donna Williams invited me to join the California State Parks Mounted Patrol for our local park, I said yes even before I knew what the volunteer position entailed. I went to the first State Parks Mounted Patrol meeting at the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. There were about 75 people of all ages. Some of the older folks had been Mounted Patrol members for over 30 years. As a newbie, I was welcomed, given an instruction binder, and told what the requirements were for the group: 1. In the future, my horse and I would be known as a “Mounted Assistant Unit,” or MAU. 2. Each year we are required to have 12 patrolling rides, two work parties, and attend six out of 12 meetings. (Many Patrol members have hundreds of hours logged each year.) 3. Each patrol member should be in good physical condition, able to walk as well as ride the trails. 4. Patrol members must have current First Aid and CPR certifications for law enforcement personnel. 5. Patrol members must purchase their own uniforms, patches, name badges, and any clothing required 85 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ MARCH 2014