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February 2015 San Ramon Valley Horsemen’s Association
Serving Danville
By Fran Miller
Bob Cooper can remember exactly when he fell in love with horses. “I was nine years old and was on vacation with my family at a Montana dude ranch,” he says. “That’s when I caught the bug.” Back home in Chicago, he had to settle for a few riding lessons in order to feed his interest. It wasn’t until a job relocation many years later that Cooper was able to fully immerse himself in his equine fascination. He arrived in California in 1969 and bought his first horse in 1970. A truck and trailer purchase followed a year
(From left to right) Robyn Tran, Amber Rickner, and Jenn Dunckel enjoyed a walk on the Iron Horse Trail with their babies. Photo by Chris Scott/CalSportsPhoto.com.
Shopping for SHELTER – Circle of Friends Delivers the Goods By Jody Morgan
Each year an estimated 15,000 Contra Costa County residents experience an episode of homelessness. They come from every county town. Studies indicate that for every six months a child is homeless, he or she falls a year behind in school. Founded in 1986, SHELTER, Inc. serves 5,000-6,000 low-income Contra Costa clients annually, helping to keep families at risk in their homes and to provide transitional housing and
A photo from the SRVHA archives: The Rossmoor ride, when Rossmoor used to have stables. In front: longtime SRVHA members Mary and Bruce Basting.
later, and in 1973, Cooper joined the San Ramon Valley Horsemen’s Association (SRVHA), where he currently serves as historian. Cooper and his horses now reside in the Altamont area of Livermore on five acres. He and two other SRVHA members currently hold the title for longest running membership. SRVHA was created in 1960 by a dozen residents of Danville who were interested in pleasure rides and horse shows. They rode in local parks and on private land, and they staged shows, the last of which occurred in 1975 when the group became primarily trail oriented. During the next few decades, SRVHA members participated in trail rides from Fort Brag to Santa Cruz, and Golden Gate Park to the Pacific Crest Trail. Members were also active in events such as the De Anza reenactment (a Mexico City to San Francisco ride emulating the 1776 De Anza route) and the California State Horsemen’s Association Seven Day Ride from Mt. Diablo to Briones, Tilden, Redwood, and Chabot Regional Parks and back. While these days there are fewer horsemen/women in the area, and trail rides are less frequent with fewer riders, the organization has not strayed far from its roots; A current total of 70 members from all over the Bay Area (and one from Hawaii) include riders and horse enthusiasts of all skill levels who take part in weekday and weekend trail rides, camping trips, monthly socials, and other special events. “We have a lot of fun,” says Cooper. Members must be at least age 12, and annual fees are $40 for individuals and $55 for families. While one needn’t own a horse in order to be a member, one does need to have his or her own horse for riding activities. Annual events include two potlucks in
See SRVHA continued on page 16
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
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Circle of Friends has 19 members. Seen left to right : Saharon Maybe, Clare Daum, Donna Mikolaj, Judy Holmes, Janice Fassiotto, Maureen Schreiber, Pat Madsen, Toni Brien and Pat Wilhelm.
counseling for homeless families focused on attaining self-sufficiency. Circle of Friends, a social group sharing monthly activities, realized they could help. Twice a year, armed with a wish list from SHELTER, Inc., these local ladies put their bargain-hunting skills to work to deliver a carload of new clothing, sheets and towels, or kitchen essentials. Since first coming together in May 2005, a group of San Ramon Valley women recently renamed “Circle of Friends” has enjoyed exploring the Bay Area Volume VI - Number 4 together. Each member takes a turn at orga3000F Danville Blvd. #117, nizing the monthly outing. A few years ago, Alamo, CA 94507 Danville resident Janice Fassiotto asked the (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 group whether they would consider accepting the task of shopping for SHELTER. Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher “I read about SHELTER, Inc. in a newspaeditor@ per and went out to their offices with Maureen yourmonthlypaper.com Schreiber, a friend from our group, to learn The opinions expressed herein belong more,” Fassiotto relates.“The Executive Di- to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. rector, Timothy O’Keefe, took us on a tour Danville Today News is not for the content of any of that included some of their sites and intro- responsible the advertising herein, nor does
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publication imply endorsement.