WHOA! - Woodside-area Horse Owners Association - Calendar

Hi All

Well, the proposed ordinance to restrict horses on the beach in Half Moon Bay is finally on the agenda for the City Council Meeting on Tuesday 11/17 at 7pm. It is vitally important that the equestrian community show up in mass at this meeting. Whether you have a position one way or the other about riding your horse on the beach - this is a restriction for horses. We need to stand firm against any restrictions for our horses. We need to fight to expand our riding areas not allow our riding areas to contract or be restricted.

You can read the recommendation of the 3 options that the City Council will be considering here  (VIEW PDF). Option #1 restricts all horses/large animals to within 20 feet of the bluff. Option #2 restricts only commercial horses to within 20 feet of the bluff. Option #3 has no restrictions regarding horses on the beach. You can visit the City Council Website: www.half-moon-bay.ca.us/ . 

Again, I am urging every member of SMCHA and all your other equestrian friends to attend this meeting on Tuesday. The meeting will be covered by reporters from 3 newspapers. Everyone attending is asked to sign in and turn over their speaking time to allow the equestrian community's attorney to make a presentation. See you Tuesday evening... Happy Sandy Trails,

Happy Sandy Trails,

Barbara
Barbara Stogner
SMCHA 2009 President

Dear Equestrians,

I, along with several other equestrians, attended a Half Moon Bay subcommittee meeting addressing the 'precieved safety' issues with equestrians and the general public, at Poplar Beach.  The council has taken manure iisues off the 'concern list', but site possible future accidents/liabilities as the reason to restrict horses along the 0.65 mi stretch from Poplar Beach (ramp) north to the exit on Kelly (known as the 'slot') to within 15 ft of the bluffs. (Equestrians are unrestricted south of Poplar beach which encompasses about a little over a mile of beach.)

This restriction overrides the deed (of this donated land) which legally gives equestrians, along with similar users, equal access to the mentioned beach lands.  Despite significant public equestrian outcry to this restriction; sighting the intention of the deed, decreased safety associated with the 15 ft restriction, and justification from HMB subcommitteee for this proposed restriction going forth...the HMB council along with the Chief of Police as well as the City Manager appear to be proceeding to keep the proposed 15 ft restriction between Poplar Ave and Kelly in place.

It should also be noted that this restriction aims primarily and directly at the horse rental operations, despite the rental's business contributing over $1.7+ million to HMB.  The Council has been told, repeatedly, that this restriction will seriously jepordize the 'draw' of potential rental clients and thus decrease the associated revenues as well as the added revenues generated from ancillary expenditures to other business in the HMB area, i.e. restaurants, feed stores, downtown shopping etc.

To some of you, this loss of equestrian access to a 0.6 + mi of beach may seem insignificant or valueless.  However what needs to be kept in mind is that this is but another precedent which may be used to set forth further restrictions upon equestrians adn trail access.

So.....despite the utterly amazing proposed restriction that has been drafted by the HMB council....we really need equestrian appearance/support at the next HMB public meeting where this issue will be presented.  It is still true that 'numbers' influence governmental agencies.

If you have any other input on this issue, please forward your emails to Larry DeYoung or Willa Chapman.  I will keep you abreast of the time, date and place of the next HMB council meeting which will address this issue.

Faye Brophy
ETRAC

HMB Website Calendar