Cuyamaca Equestrian Association

Meeting day and location: The first Thursday of each month at Coco’s restaurant,1324 E. Main Street El Cajon (near Main and 2nd/Jamacha) . The meetings start at 7 p.m.. Come at 6:30 and have dinner beforehand and visit. The next meeting will be July 3, 2008. Questions or directions: Linda Eskin 619 368-4333 (cell) or linda@lindaeskin. com.

Park News

• Firewood - Oak firewood $20 a truck load! Get a permit (DPR form 968) at the ranger station at Paso Picacho to pick up your cut, but not split, firewood. Save gas, save money! If you get your wood on a day that you volunteer in the park, your mileage is deductible on your tax return!
• Trail conditions – The park is green, flowers are blooming, water is running. Ride and enjoy the park. Anytime there is a big wind, there are more trees down. Trails Maintenance Unit is working each week to clear the trees. Report downed trees to Ron Matzenaur runningm@cox. net 619-445-8479.
• Fages Ride – Plans are proceeding for the historical celebration ride the weekend of September 26-28, 2008. Ride will be staged at Los Vaqueros Group Camp. Volunteers are needed for putting on this event. Please contact Ernie or Cindy.
• Shelving of proposed Merigan’s horse camp – Due to state financial constraints, plans to develop a horse camp near Merigan’s staging area have been shelved. State Parks may revive the proposal if and when state finances improve. Suggestions are being made for
expanding the staging area, since the studies have been completed.
• Adopt a work party - Encourage your club membership to volunteer for a workparty date in 2008. Information on the CEA website www.cuyamacaequestr ian.org Great time of year to work on trails!

Los Caballos Historic Site nomination

Documentation for a Los Caballos historic site nomination is being reviewed by consultant Bill Davis. CEA continues to gather documentation in support of this nomination. The rich history of the area is fascinating to discover and, hopefully, will be included in an inventory of significant historical sites in the north part of the
park. Such an inventory could lead to interpretive exhibits and greater appreciation of the times between the Native American Village and the park.

CEA Gathering- June 12-15, Thursday through Sunday

Register now for the Gathering at the Chaney Ranch, just northwest of Warner Springs. Fees go up June 3. Camp under mature oak trees (water available), ride on your own on adjacent Forest Service lands and around the Ranch. Visit with new and old friends around the campfire. 13 corrals of various sizes are available, first come, first get. $35/person for the weekend.. $10/person for day riding. Children are free. www.cuyamacaequestrian.org for registration and release forms and information. No need to be a member of any sponsor group; CEA has purchased insurance to cover all participants.

CEA in action – facilitating a solution

CEA was contacted by Terry Wooley-Howe, organizer of AERC rated endurance rides through the park for 10 years without incident or injury. Despite their safety record and ample insurance coverage, concerns had been raised by the park regarding issuing the special events permit. Safety for park visitors was a priority. CEA invited Terry and also Lynda Sterns, representing the NATRC competitive trail riding interests, to meet with CEA representatives and Superintendent Nedra Martinez. Superintendent Martinez explained her concerns, and Terry and Lynda were invited to describe their rides. The face-to-face exchange resulted in mutual understanding of the respective issues and realities. The rides will receive special event permits. Yeah! Thanks to all who participated.

Announcements
• Miramar Stables is in jeopardy of being closed! Letters are urgently needed in support of this 50 year old facility for our military. Contact Nola Michel, trlrider@san. rr.com

How to Support CEA
Cuyamaca Equestrian Association is requesting funds from horse organizations and individual equestrians for the following accounts to further CEA’s work. Donations are tax deductible.

1. Operational Funds for CEA – Make your check out to CEA and write “General Fund” on the memo line.
2. Los Caballos Fund – Make your check out to CEA and write “Los Cab” on the memo line. Fund is for services of consulting attorney Bill Davis and consulting archeologists Kent Schneider PhD and Mark Barnes, PhD working on historic site nomination. Urgent need!!
Matching donation promised for donations $500 or more.

3. Mail checks to: CEA, PO Box 79, Descanso, CA 91916.
Your donations are much appreciated in the support of equestrian interests in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Cuyamaca Equestrian Association
Update for April 2008

Meeting day and location: The first Thursday of each month at Coco’s restaurant,1324 E. Main Street El Cajon (near Main and 2nd/Jamacha) . The meetings start at 7 p.m.. Come at 6:30 and have dinner beforehand and visit. The next meeting will be May 1, 2008. Questions or directions: Linda Eskin 619 368-4333 (cell) or linda@lindaeskin. com.

Park News

• Earth Day - Saturday, April 19, 8:00 to 3:30. Lunch served by PVMR. Register by calling 760-765-0623. Contact Mike Curtis for information cmcurtis@pacbell. net 858-278-3280 www.cuyamaca. us Come and give back to the park we all love.

• Firewood is available (cut but not split – you load) for $20 a pickup truck. Obtain a permit at Park Headquarters near Paso Picacho.
• Trail conditions – Trees are still down on Cold Stream Trail. The park in greening up, flowers are starting to bloom. Ride and enjoy the park.
• Fages Ride – In 1782 Pedro Fages was the first European to pass through what is now Cuyamaca State Park. CRSPIA, with CEA’s support, is planning an historical celebration ride the weekend of
September 26-28, 2008. Ride will be staged at Los Vaqueros Group Camp. Volunteers are needed for planning.
• Proposed Merigan’s horse camp – Ernie Smith spoke, again, with project manager Suzie Lahitte. More survey results are continuing to affect proposed designs. The Equestrian Advisory Group is seeking input to the design of the camp.
• Adopt a work party - Encourage your club membership to volunteer for a workparty date in 2008. Information on the CEA website www.cuyamacaequestrian.org Great time of year to work on trails!

Los Caballos Historic Site nomination

The CEA nomination committee has been gathering fascinating information about the history of the area that is now Cuyamaca State Park. Cuyamaca City developed to serve the miners and others at Stonewall Mine. Did you know that Cuyamaca Peak used to be called Sawmill Peak for the logging operations there? A photo shows cattle grazing across the meadows to Stonewall Mine. The road that is now Highway 79 was constructed in part to transport agricultural products from the area. The Dyars invited friends to come ride horses on their beautiful lands.

CEA Gathering- June 12-15, Thursday through Sunday

Registration is open for the Gathering at the Chaney Ranch, just north of Warner Springs. Camp under mature oak trees (water available), ride on your own on the Warner trails and around the ranch. Visit with new and old friends around the campfire. A lovely guesthouse adjacent to the camping area will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. $35/person for the weekend. Day riding option
available. www.cuyamacaequestrian.org for registration and information. No need to be a member of any sponsor group; CEA has purchased insurance to cover all participants.

Announcements
• Miramar Stables is in jeopardy of being closed! Letters are urgently needed in support of this 50 year old facility for our military. Contact Nola Michel, trlrider@san. rr.com
• BCHC Los Vaqueros Campout/Service Weekend. May 8-11; sign up by May 2. Contact Cheryl Wegner: 760-788-0354/ chrylwgnr@ cox.net or Terry Hamilton: 760-789-5185 tlh9749@yahoo. com

How to Support CEA
Cuyamaca Equestrian Association is requesting funds from horse organizations and individual equestrians for the following accounts to further CEA’s work.

1. Operational Funds for CEA – Make your check out to CEA and write “General Fund” on the memo line.
2. Los Caballos Fund – Make your check out to CEA and write “Los Cab” on the memo line. Fund is for services of consulting attorney Bill Davis and consulting archeologists Kent Schneider PhD and Mark Barnes, PhD working on historic site nomination. Urgent need!!
Matching donation promised for donations $500 or more. . Mail checks to: CEA, PO Box 79, Descanso, CA 91916.
Your donations are much appreciated in the support of equestrian interests in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Meeting day and location: The first Thursday of each month at Coco’s restaurant,1324 E. Main Street El Cajon (near Main and 2^nd/Jamacha). The meetings start at 7 p.m.. Come at 6:00 and have dinner beforehand and visit. The next meeting will be March 6, 2008. Questions or directions: Linda Eskin 619 368-4333 (cell) or linda@lindaeskin.com.

Park News

• Green Valley Falls - CEA participated in the cleanup at Green Valley Falls campground. Portitions of the campground should be opening later this month.
• Firewood is available (cut but not split – you load) for $20 a pickup truck. Obtain a permit at Park Headquarters near Paso Picacho.
• Trail conditions – Most trails are open and clear thanks to the tremendous work of volunteer trail crews. The park in greening up and water is flowing. Ride and enjoy the park. Please refrain from riding after rains until trails firm up to reduce trail damage.
• Fages Ride – original ride was April 17-20^th, 1782. CRSPIA, with CEA’s support, is planning an historical celebration ride the weekend of September 26-28, 2008. Ride will be staged at Los Vaqueros Group Camp. Volunteers are needed for planning.
• Proposed Merigan’s horse camp – Ernie Smith spoke again with project manager Suzie Lahitte. Additional results of surveys continue to affect proposed designs. If you pass by the field across from McClintock’s saddlery, you’ll see what appears to be silt fences. They are actually Arroyo toad capture fencing for the project’s environmental study. The Equestrian Advisory Group is seeking input to the design of the camp.
• Adopt a work party - Encourage your club membership to volunteer for a work party date in 2008. Information on the CEA website www.cuyamacaequestrian.org Great time of year to work on trails! And you can get free day use passes for your efforts!

Los Caballos Historic Site nomination – please help

The CEA nomination committee continues to work on the draft of the nomination. The larger historical context and the traditional cultural activities of equestrians are the focus of our work. Although CEA has been very active in gathering information at the San Diego Historical Society, libraries, archeological organizations and other institutions, we still could use help to “fill in” details of the history of Los Caballos and the cultural significance to equestrians. The history of riding clubs and equestrian groups is being gathered.

Cuyamaca Equestrian Association

Update for February 2008

Meeting day and location: The first Thursday of each month at Coco’s restaurant,1324 E. Main Street El Cajon (near Main and 2^nd/Jamacha). The meetings start at 7 p.m.. Come at 6:00 and have dinner beforehand and visit. The next meeting will be March 6, 2008. Questions or directions: Linda Eskin 619 368-4333 (cell) or linda@lindaeskin.com.

Park News

• Ernie, Bernie and Peggy met with Park Superintendent Nedra Martinez to build relationships and communication.
• Nedra updated us on progress in the tree contract in Green Valley Campground. Special work parties are planned February 16 & 17 and February 23 & 24. Meet at Green Valley Campground at 9:00. Contact Mike Curtis cmcurtis@pacbell.net
• Firewood is available (cut but not split – you load) for $20 a pickup truck. Obtain a permit at Park Headquarters near Paso Picacho.
• Trail conditions – lots of trees are down. Plan rides that allow enough time to backtrack if necessary. The park in greening up and water is flowing. Ride and enjoy the park. Please refrain from riding after rains until trails firm up to reduce trail damage.
• Fages Ride – original ride was April 17-20^th , 1782. CRSPIA, with CEA’s support, is planning an historical celebration ride the weekend of September 26-28, 2008. Ride will be staged at Los Vaqueros Group Camp. Volunteers are needed for planning.
• Proposed Merigan’s horse camp – Ernie Smith spoke again with project manager Suzie Lahitte. Additional results of surveys are affecting proposed designs. The Equestrian Advisory Group is seeking input to the design of the camp.
• Adopt a work party - Encourage your club membership to volunteer for a workparty date in 2008. Information on the CEA website www.cuyamacaequestrian.org Great time of year to work on trails!

Los Caballos Historic Site nomination – please help

The CEA nomination committee continues to work on the draft of the nomination. The larger historical context and the traditional cultural activities of equestrians are the focus of our work. We still could use help to “fill in” details of the history of Los Caballos and the cultural significance to equestrians. The history of riding clubs and equestrian groups is being gathered.

Cuyamaca Equestrian Association
Update for January 2008
Meeting day and location: The first Thursday of each month at Coco’s
restaurant,1324 E. Main Street El Cajon (near Main and 2nd/Jamacha) .
The meetings start at 7 p.m.. Come at 6:00 and have dinner beforehand
and visit. The next meeting will be February 7, 2008. Questions or
directions: Linda Eskin 619 368-4333 (cell) or linda@lindaeskin. com.

CEA Business

• Good news! CEA is a 501c3 entity and all donations to CEA are
tax deductible.
• Vickie Cottle was ratified as our latest CEA Board member
taking Jeni Bettjer’s place. Vickie has been “along for the ride”
starting with the January 2005 meeting at the Town Hall, the various
NOPs, and other meetings and events. She has been an active
community member most visually as a long-time organizer and supporter
of Vaquero Days. A Descanso resident and member of Saddle SoreOrity
and Pine Valley Mountain Riders, she is a welcome member of the CEA
Board.
• New CEA Board positions — Chairperson Ernie Smith, Vice-
Chairperson Bernie Martin, Treasurer Cindy McKievick, Secretary Linda
Eskin, Immediate Past Chairperson Peggy Martin, Directors at Large
Nola Michel and Vickie Cottle.
• Member Clubs – Those wishing to change voting representatives
(up to 4 per Member Organization) , please send written note from your
President to Linda Eskin. Update info.

Los Caballos Historic Site Nomination

Progress continues on the draft of the nomination. We’ll be needing
help to “fill in” details of the history of Los Caballos and the
cultural significance to equestrians. You can help by sending
(peggy@oakzanitaranc h.com ) personal accounts of the significance of
Los Caballos to you and your family and any “stories” and
descriptions of the camp historically. Photos are encouraged.

CEA Gathering- June 13-16

The Los Coyotes Indian tribe had a change of leadership, and we are
informed they do not plan to open the horse camp for use this year.
Los Vaqueros was considered but is already booked per Cindy. An
option is Chaney Ranch located just north of Warners which has access
to Pacific Crest Trail and Warner trails, offers similar camping to
Los Coyotes (mature oak trees, some water spigots, campfire area), 0
cost for camping, and has good access for all groups in So Cal. Need
volunteers for planning event, including pre-riding.

Park News

• Meeting planned with Superintendent Nedra Martinez to discuss
and collaborate on equestrian and park issues.
• Trail conditions – lots of trees are down. Contact Ron
Matzenauer 619-445-8479 with information on locations of trees you
observe. Please refrain from riding after rains until trails firm up
to reduce trail damage.
• Encourage your club membership to volunteer for a workparty
date in 2008. Information on the CEA website
www.cuyamacaequestr ian.org Great time of year to work on trails!
• Proposed Merigan’s horse camp – Ernie Smith spoke with
project manager Suzie Lahitte. Results of surveys are affecting
proposed designs. Ernie is inviting Suzie to our February CEA meeting.
• 2008 is the 75th anniversary of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Events to celebrate are in the planning stage.
• Fages Ride – original ride was April 17-20th , 1782. CRSPIA,
with CEA’s support, is planning an historical celebration ride the
weekend of September 26-28, 2008. Ride will be staged at Los Vaqueros
Group Camp. Volunteers are needed for planning.

Announcements

There is a bill currently in the Senate that is important to trail
riders. It is the new version of the Right to Ride legislation. S.
2283 would preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock
animals on public land administered by the National Park Service, and
Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, or the Forest Service on which there is a historical
tradition of the use of pack and saddle stock animals.
The web site below has a voting button for people to indicate whether
they are for or against this bill. If you value trails, please take a
minute to vote. All it takes is 1 click:
http://www.washingt onwatch.com/ bills/show/ 110_SN_2283. html (copy
and paste)

How to Support CEA

Cuyamaca Equestrian Association is requesting funds from horse
organizations and individual equestrians for the following accounts
to further CEA’s work. Donations are tax deductible.

1. Operational Funds for CEA – Make your check out to CEA and
write “General Fund” on the memo line.
2. Los Caballos Fund – Make your check out to CEA and write “Los
Cab” on the memo line. Fund is for services of consulting attorney
Bill Davis and consulting archeologists Kent Schneider PhD and Mark
Barnes, PhD working on historic site nomination. Urgent need!!
Matching donation promised for donations $500 or more.
3. Mail checks to: CEA, PO Box 79, Descanso, CA 91916.

Your donations are much appreciated in the support for equestrian
interests in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Thanks to Recreation and
Equestrian Coalition for their assistance and support pending CEA’s
501c3.

Cuyamaca Equestrian Association

Update for October 2007

Meeting day and location: The first Tuesday of each month at Coco’s restaurant,1324 E. Main Street El Cajon (near Main and 2^nd/Jamacha). The meetings start at 7 p.m.. Come at 6:00 and have dinner beforehand and visit. The next meeting will be November 6, 2007. Questions or directions: Linda Eskin 619 368-4333 (cell) or linda@lindaeskin.com.

Park News

Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) without notice made plans to remove the corrals from Los Caballos Horse Camp. We consider this a violation of trust. The camp should be preserved in its current condition while the issue of a horse camp in the north end of the park is unresolved. A 60-day “stand down” has been agreed to between CRSPIA and State Parks to prevent any action to remove corrals. We strongly oppose any dismantling of Los Caballos. As we have more news we will let you know.

Plans are moving forward for a horse camp in the Merigan field in Descanso with a Notice of Exception (NOE) recently open for geographical and archeological surveys.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

• Lakeside Frontier Riders has openings for Los Vaqueros Group Horse Camp Thursday, October 11 through Sunday, October 14. Costs are $90/corral for the 4 days. Contact Cindy McKievick mckww@cox.net (619) 390-9553.