August 2010: Pictures for 2010 Pony Express Riders; US Rider Magazine; Help Sought for Rescue Horse; Penny's BIG News; Calling for Board Member Nominations; Meeting Change Reminder; November ACTHA trail ride canceled.

The August Event Flyer is here - print it out and hang it up anyplace you like! August Flyer

Pictures for 2010's Pony Express Riders
David Kronick writes: I'm still looking for addresses and names of all the folks who participated in the pony express so I can send them a DVD of great pictures as I had promised them I would do. Contact me at: kronick29@yahoo.com

US Rider's Latest Magazine
MBHA member Sukulina Das has forwarded this link to the summer issue of US Rider's Hitch Up! Magazine. Topics for this issue include fuel saving tips, how to build a sustainable equine trail, miniture horses, maximum service, to tie or not to tie, and on-the-go gear, as well as other features. Check out the issue here: http://cde.frycomm.com/1I4c2ba0a454a34811.cde

Help Sought for Rescue Horse
MBHA member Kathy Jordan recently rescued a 6 year old Arabian, Zar, that had been badly neglected and suffered health issues as a result. You can see Zar's condition at time of rescue, and help with his medical fund, by going to http://tophorseboarding.webs.com/horsedonations.htm
For more information contact Kathy at geronimoranch@hughes.net

MBHA Member Penny Dees Announces BIG Horse News!

From Penny: On Monday, I pick up my new horse. I had wanted to get a short, gaited gelding. I am getting a belgian/quarter cross mare who is over 15 hands and non gaited. A PMU rescue mare and is 16 years and been under saddle for 6 years. No formal training but that will give me something to do. I can't wait to bring her home. She gets a vet check on the way home. I have to work out tack and stuff for her, glad I have stuff that fits the big mule as that should work fine for her. she hits the scales around 14oo pounds. I think I will get a T shirt that says, " Does this horse make my butt look small?" Just a thought.......................... A huge thank you to all my great friends who got together so I can have this mare. (I am sure they were just tired of listening to me whine about not being able to ride for very long as my great gelding Cory is now 30 and just can't go that long) Penny

New Board Members Sought
Fall's just around the corner...okay, it's a WIDE corner, but it's never too early to start thinking about elections! The MBHA will be seeking new board members for the 2011 season, and all positions are available. Elections will be held in November, so we need nominations for each positon before then. If you have an interest in President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Special Events, Ways & Means, or News & Publicity, please consider accepting a nomination. We will be posting some general 'job descriptions' on the site soon, to better explain what each position entails. Please remember: without a board, our club cannot continue. Many of our current board members have served a long time, and would really like to see some 'new blood', with fresh ideas ready to step up and take the reins. Put your stamp on your club - get involved! For more information or to sub,it your name for nomination, contact any current board members, emails and phone numbers are on the contact page.

Reminder: Meetings after events for August
Just a reminder that our monthly meeting for August will be held after the gymkhana event, the 3rd Saturday of the month. So plan on coming for the ride, staying for the meeting! August 21st.

The proposed November 20th, 2010 ACTHA Trail Ride has been canceled.
Please check the ACTHA website for other scheduled rides.

Ongoing...

Looking for Parade Participants
The Morongo Valley Trail Riders have generously extended an invitation to MBHA members to come participate in the Morongo Valley Parade in September. Interested? Contact James: verrets@netzero.com

Have memories of the Pony Express?
The MBHA is calling for anyone who has ever participated in a Morongo Basin Pony Express Event to please send us your memories! We are putting together a page full of the recollections from people that have ridden this ride, from back in the 1960's right up until now! If you have something to add, big or small, please send it in - we want to hear from all of you! Send an email titled Pony X Memories to deserttrailrider@aol.com, so it can be added to the page.

The MBHA is in need of a Treasurer! If you have any interest in serving your club, contact: James Verret- 760-366-2788 - verrets@netzero.net

Change in price structure for 2010 Events
Graduated cost for members at events will take effect in 2010. $25.00 for the first rider in a family, $15.00 for second rider in a family and $5.00 for the rest of the family members. Lead lines are free with a family member-ship. Discounts do not apply to Time Only Runs

Working with the changing times, MBHA is proud to announce that we have gone all digital!
Welcome to the COWBOY UP! website!
As all members know, in 2010 the MBHA moved away from the "non-green" and costly physical newsletter and moved into a downloadable PDF newsletter. With the amount of member news and photos beginning to come in, we have moved a step further in deciding to allow our website to serve as the newsletter, saving members from having to download any files. You will still be receiving Cheyenne's monthly notifications to let you know when the new news is up on the site.

Events are now listed on the home page - right where we want them, so you can find them quickly! News will be here, with links at the bottom to previous news pages in case you miss anything. If you have ads or brags, send them in, and they will go on the sponsors/member ads page. We will also have opportunities for more effective advertising for sponsers, allowing them to update their ads monthly by sending in news about sales and other topics, with a link to their website. If you have photos, news or anything you'd like to contribute, please let us know! deserttrailrider@aol.com

Past Newsletters

View the July 2010 news page here: 7/10

View the June 2010 news page here: 6/10

Download the April, 2010 newsletter here: 4/10newsletter

Download the March, 2010 newsletter here: 3/10newsletter

Download the February, 2010 newsletter here: 2/10newsletter

Past News Items

2010 Extreme Cowboy Race results are here

December 2009: Member Paula Heil proposes stepped-up Barrel Racing participation for 2010.
Read here for detailed information on these Time Only/Exhibition Run Events.

2009 (Not So) Extreme Cowboy Race: read Penny Dees' excellent recap of the event, and see the results here; and be sure to check out the gallery for some great photos!

2008 Trail Trials Clinic

Items needed to build a Trail Trials Course at the arena

USRider Motor Plan

Proposed Arena Layout Plan

Team Sorting Reflection

Equine Herpes Virus Update from UC Davis

M.B.H.A. Member incentives for 2007