- 1 -

RICK’S ‘RAMBLINS’ Goodbye to a great 2012! … and Hellooo 2013!

Happy New Year Saddleback Canyon Riders! We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season filled with warmth and cheer! As I write this, I am truly amazed at how much fun and good times we managed to pack into 2012. We enjoyed fantastic Member‟s Meetings with great speakers. We had wonderfully productive Board Meetings (and we welcome any member to attend these meetings). There were great trail rides, super fun and well attended Play Days and campouts, cool movie nights and a trip to the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. We had fantastic turn outs and won awards at the Swallows Day, Trabuco Canyon 4th of July and Laguna Niguel Christmas Parades. O‟Neill Park blesses our community and club with great equestrian facilities and some of the most beautiful riding trails in Southern California. Our club has worked hard to build and nurture a strong relationship with the park and its terrific Rangers. In 2012 we helped accomplish worthy park endeavors like ongoing trail maintenance, continued equine improvements and a cool new equestrian entrance at Rose Canyon Dr. Saddleback Canyon Riders also raised significant funds for our club at RSM‟s Great Campout Pancake Breakfast, helped raise money for our unofficial sister organization Hanaeleh Horse Rescue at their Medieval fundraising event and supported Saddleback Canyons Conservancy‟s effort to stop the Saddlecrest development. 2012 culminated with our fantastic Christmas Party (special thanks to our gracious hosts the Iaconos), with yummy food, friends and folly … music, mistletoe and merriment! Our AMAZING Board Members were duly recognized for their selfless hard work and unwavering commitment to our club. There‟s a LOT of planning required to keep a club like ours running smoothly „on all cylinders‟, and our Board Members are second to none! Our contest winners were revealed and rewarded, Evelyn Ortega for the

2013 Board of Directors:

PRESIDENT: Rick Balthaser (949) 709-2359 rbalthaser@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT: Rich Gomez (949)888-1604 rtgomez@aol.com SECRETARY: Patti Gomez (949) 888-1604 pattianngomez@aol.com TREASURER: Vicki Iacono 949-459-7742 zoegal@hughes.net MEMBERSHIP: Kristen Holden (949) 444-1990 kristen3091@gmail.com TRAIL BOSS: Terry Roberts 949-620-4740 mxtrm@cox.net MEMBER-AT-LARGE: Bob Wilks

(949) 589-9144 robert-a-wilks@cox.net SCRIBE: Debbie Kelly

(949) 244-0670 debbiekelly57@yahoo.com

2013 Pending Board appointed positions : SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Dave Seroski

Events Coordinator: Jim Iacono

Social Media: Robby Stuckey

Webmaster: Judi Winkle

- 2 -

Continued from page 1

Our contest winners were revealed and rewarded, Evelyn Ortega for the PAW (Participate and Win!) contest and Jim Schicht for POP (Patronize Our Park!). And, the prestigious President's Award went to Mr. Dave Seroski for his hard work and many contributions to ETI 357 in 2012. Congratulations to all! Outgoing Board Members Don Seigen, Jim Schicht and the lovely Karen Balthaser were recognized for their HUGE commitment to our club, and new Board Members Terry Roberts (Trail Boss), Patti Gomez (Secretary) and Debbie Kelly (Scribe) were welcomed with open arms! To top off the evening, the always fun and crazy cowboy Christmas gift exchange was the perfect ending to the perfect wrap up of 2012! For Saddleback Canyon Riders, 2013 has already started off with a bang! The January edition of ETI National‟s magazine features your Vice President, Rich Gomez on the cover and in its „Star Performer‟ article! Congratulations Rich! I do think 2013 will be a banner year for our club. We have a bunch of wonderful new members that joined Saddleback Canyon

Riders in 2012, and believe me, we sure are happy to have ya‟! As our club continues to grow and thrive in 2013, I just want to let you ALL know that this is YOUR club, and that YOUR participation, ideas and suggestions will help make this the best Corral in ETI! On Facebook (thanks Robby!) we‟re Saddleback Canyon Riders – ETI Corral 357. Check us out, ‟like us‟, invite your friends to „like‟ us and feel free to use our Facebook presence in any way that works for you. And, you can always keep up with all of our club‟s „goings on‟ at www.saddlebackcanyonriders.com – there‟s a handy calendar of events and a wealth of other valuable info on the site. And hey, my „office‟ is always open! Feel free to call, email or text me if there‟s anything you‟d like to discuss. I‟d like to wrap this up with one of my favorite quotes: “The horse you get off is not the same as the horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible, the change is for the better.” Looking forward to sharing great times with you all in 2013!

Rick Balthaser Your ( very grateful) Prez Cell: 949 439-2414 Personal email: RBalthaser@aol.com Club email: ETI357@aol.com

- 3 -

As I look upon the plaque that bears my name I see those recognized before me and that is where the value is: Each one of them saw a need and filled it. Each one of them brought forth an idea, nurtured it, grew it, had others believe in it then accomplished it.

As I looked around our last members‟ meeting and our last board meeting I saw many different people, with many different ideas & beliefs, all in the same room at the same time, sharing those beliefs and ideas like stone masons all working on the same stone.

This mason sees the stone from his perspective and he chips and carves as he

sees best. Then the next mason on the other side sees it differently and thus shapes as he see fit. Soon the rock takes on shape and meaning formed by the differences.

To be recognized by one‟s peers in such an environment is an honor. To drive down the street and see a change in the landscape that helps the public and the horses stay safe, knowing it was the work of all who pulled the weeds, rolled back the stones & pushed in the signage acting as one, carrying my idea forward by the sweat of their brow and strength of their back, is the second part of this recognition I hold dear.

Thank You, Dave Seroski

ETI 357 President’s Award by Dave Seroski

Sergeant at Arms, Communications Coordinator

- 4 -

A small but mighty band of competitors took park in our 2012 October Buckle Playday. The day was perfect for both riders and runners…. Early morning clouds giving way to glorious Southern California sunshine. The arena was in perfect condition thanks to an efficient drag by Dave Seroski on “Buckle-eve”.

The band of competitors was split in two divisions. The Juniors were led in all events by Brittany Hipp, Bekah Segien, and Amanda Tuttle. Also putting in strong performances were Carrie Tuttle and Noelle Childs. The coveted silver buckle was taken home by Brittany Hipp, who possessed most of the day‟s top times in both divisions in all events. Brittany has her riding partner Callie to thank for swiftly negotiating all obstacle courses with style, grace, and of course, speed. Way to go Brittany and Callie!

The senior division saw our first two-time winner of the precious buckle. Melina Hann followed up her 2011 performance with a repeat sterling effort to capture the year end

championship again. She was closely followed by Tracy Tuttle and Evelyn Ortega. Also putting in competitive performances were Steve Conkling, Terry Roberts, and Leslie Gronewold. Way to go Seniors! We followed up the competition with a Western barbecue lunch, with many thanks to Karen Balthaser for slow cooking a delicious beef brisket. Thanks again to all the volunteers who help make the event possible, and allow the day to run smoothly!

We also had a special raffle for a custom Tailspin bracelet. Debbie Johnson was the lucky winner! All proceeds went to the Rural Canyons Conservancy in our fight to stop the development of Saddle Crest. We were able to write a check for $300 for this important fight to maintain our rural lifestyle. Way to go Club!

Be sure to mark March 2, 2012 on your calendars as that will be our first Playday of the new year! See all you Cowboys and Cowgirls then!

See more Play Day photos on page 8

“Buckled Up”

by James M. Iacono

Event’s Coordinator

- 5 -

Mark Secor DVM

(949) 661-2225

Duane Turner (949)728-8873

Matt Love (714) 334-5404

Janice Posnikoff DVM Orange County Equine Vet

(949) 472-0501

Ricky Root (949) 458-3726

Chris Ryan (714) 904-3781

Robert Betty DVM Equine Medical Associates

(714) 665-2221

Greg Perez (714) 649-3942

John Stevenson (949) 851-2266

Julie Ryan Johnson

(949) 661-6375

Mauricio Aranda (949) 939-5796

Erasmo Martinez (949) 842-4607

Lori Meinert DVM Moulton Animal Hospital

(949) 831-7297

Carlos Sifuentes (949) 636-4867

Jesse Coker (949) 456-9680

Christina Garloff DVM Equine Veterinary

Associates (714) 777-3942

Ed Brazeal (714) 649-2376

Josh Sanders (562) 225-0342

Paul Wan DVM Equine Veterinary Associates

(714) 777-3942

Jim Atkinson (714) 744-4488

Steve Willis (949) 393-8888

- 6 -

CLUB EMBRACES HOLIDAY SEASON By James M. Iacono

The second week of December 2012 did

not pass this club by without a little Holiday

fanfare. On Saturday December 8th, two trailers

with 9 horses rumbled south from the early

morning cloud covered foothills of Saddleback

Mountain to our neighboring community of

Laguna Niguel to share a little equestrian

lifestyle Saddleback-canyon-style. Eight riders,

one harness driver, and 5 walkers gracefully

negotiated the nearly 2 mile parade route, and

put smiles on the faces of hundreds of families

that lined Crown Valley Parkway. It was our

second consecutive year of participation, and we

were warmly received by parade onlookers and

organizers. The parade boasted over 100

entries from car clubs to high school marching

bands to scout troops to animal-partnered

entries such as ourselves. Thanks to all who

participated and helped behind the scenes.

Then on Sunday, December 9th, it was

time for our 21st annual Holiday Party. Forty-six

club members descended upon the Iacono Via

Della Rosa Ranch for a full sit-down dinner.

(Okay, technically it was a buffet). The Bad to

the Bone catered feast did not disappoint the

hungry cowboys, cowgirls, and cowpokes on

hand. Barbecued chicken, tri-tip, mashed

potatoes, cole slaw, corn bread, and dessert

added an extra notch on the belt to loosen. Of

course, awards were presented - Dave Seroski

captured the coveted President‟s Award for

outstanding service to the club, Kristina Stuckey

earned a beautiful tapestry compliments of

Kristen Holden for bringing in the most new club

members, Evelyn Ortega snagged the P.A.W.

award for outstanding participation throughout

the year, and Jim Schicht rode off with the

P.O.P. award for most hours dedicated to our

O‟Neill Park (and he gets to house the Trabuco

for one year).

As always, the Cowboy gift exchange was

a big hit with everyone going home with

something they will always treasure because it

came from a fellow equestrian soul mate. The

night was filled with a bale of warm feelings for

all the friends we recreate with throughout the

whole year. What would life be without

recreation? A real bore. And what would

recreation be without a group to share it with?

Pretty lonely.

Vicki and I thank you all for the friendships

we‟ve fostered this past year, and most

importantly, for coming to our home to share a

holiday that was meant to be shared among true

friends in a way that is truly genuine. As we

wound up the year with the last gift being locked

in, the house team-cleaned and put back

together by many of you, I couldn‟t help but crawl

into bed that night with a warm feeling from head

to toe. Let‟s do it again in 2013.

Editor’s note: Check out our website for the

new 2013 Event’s calendar!

- 7 -

- 8 -

January 2013 Members Meeting Thursday, 1/3/2013 Friends Sports Tavern 31911 Djove Canyon Drive Trabuco Canyon, Ca 92679 Social hour: 7:00 pm Meeting starts @ 7:30 pm Guest Speaker: Paleontologist and ETI 357 member Steve Conckling discussing “The Evolution of the Horse” and fossils found in Orange County.

Membership Report:

Welcome new members for

December:

Helga Thordarson

Linda Knight

Total members as of

December 31, 2012 is 56 and

growing!

Membership expiring? Watch

for email reminders from our

Membership chairperson. You

can renew by mail or at the next

member’s meeting! Email

kristen3091@gmail.com.

Trail Boss Memo I have enjoyed writing these memos over the last couple years as your trail boss. In writing these memos, I wanted to provide information to help make our riding safer and our riding partners the best possible. As we enter the New Year, time change and wet weather, our riding time is not what it has been. This does not mean the time with our riding partner is cut short as well. There are exercises we can do with our partner to keep them limber; and at the same time work in ground training. This is to improve their response on the trails, or arena when we are able to ride. Keep the carrots and treats handy for those moments you walk out to you're riding partner, and ask him to back up, shake hands, bow or just bend. Ride safe at night, use reflectors and flashing lights. By Jim Schicht- Trail Boss 2011/2012

e

- 9 -

TREASURER'S OFFICE...

By Vicki Iacono

ETI - CORRAL 357 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR PERIOD ENDING

November 30, 2012

Ending Bank Balance (Bank of America) $11,346.87

DEPOSITS:

Deposits Made After November Closing: $ 0.00

Sub-Total for beginning Balance + Deposits $11,346.87

EXPENSES:

Ck# Source: Reason: Amount: Ck # Source: Reason: Amount:

1538 ETI membership $124.00 1546 Post office po box fee $109.00

1547 TC Church charity $100.00

Total expenses paid in November 2012 ($333.00)

UNPAID CHECKS ISSUED IN THIS PERIOD

Total Outstanding Checks November 2012 i.e. Spending: $ 0.00

Funds on hand in checking as of 11-30 2012 $11,832.25

Petty Cash on Hand as of 11-30-2012 $ 400.00

Corral FUNDS On Hand at 11-30-2012: $12,252.25

SUBTOTAL CORRAL FUNDS: $12,252.25

Less Reserves: 1. ERT as of 11-30-2012 = ($ 779.89)

Total Corral Funds Committed To Reserve: $(779.89)

NET - NET Funds on Hand in Checking, Petty Cash to credit of : Corral 357 $11,452.36

Check our website for the 2013 calendar of events!

- 10 -

What is ETI? Equestrian Trails, Incorporated is a family oriented riding club established as a nonprofit corporation in 1944 with the Charter to be "Dedicated to the Acquisition and Preservation of Trails, Good Horsemanship, and Equine Legislation." With its combined membership, ETI has successfully worked to keep our trails open and add more equestrian facilities. The more members we have backing equine legislation and trail preservation, the more likely the State, County and City Officials will be to comply with our needs.

Who are the Saddleback Canyon Riders? The Saddleback Canyon Riders are ETI Corral 357. Established in 1991, we are one of the largest ETI corrals in California with members from South Orange County and points beyond. We are a family-friendly equestrian group based in Trabuco Canyon at the foot of the majestic Saddleback Mountains. Our Corral is committed to supporting and helping maintain O’Neill Regional Park and other local riding trails. ETI Corral 357 PO Box 1026 Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678

Check out our website for the new 2013 Event’s calendar!