Club History

At that meeting, the Club was established, and officers were elected: President, Marjorie Vliet; Vice President, Jim Curry; Secretary, Kay Peterson; Virgina Flint, Treasurer. Board of Directors: Barbara Naviaux.

The first Area VII Newsletter, edited by Barbara Naviaux, was published in March, 1997.

As of May 20, 1997, the Area VII club had grown to 15 members, plus a Club membership from the Valley Sierra Miniature Horse Club.

The second issue of the Newsletter came out in June, 1997. It featured a full-color cover and 24 pages of news, show results, ranch news, and advertisements.

In September, Volume I, Number 3 of the Newsletter was published. The club now boasted 20 regular members plus two Club memberships—Valley Sierra and Saguaro State Shetland Pony & Miniature Horse Club.

Volume I, Number 4 of the Newsletter, published in December 1997, included results from the Autumn Harvest Show in Ione, and news from the Show Committee that the club had applied to host the National Area Show at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds on June 13–14, 1998. Membership grew to 25 regular members.

Volume II, Number 1 of the Newsletter appeared in March, edited by Kay Peterson. Membership was up to 36 regular members, plus 2 Club memberships, Valley Sierra and Saguaro State.

Area VII hosted the National Area Show at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, CA on June 13–14, 1998.

Area VII and the Valley Sierra Miniature Horse Club produced a 1999 Stallion Directory, edited by Kay Peterson.

Volume III, Issue 1 of the Newsletter reported 44 regular members plus 1 Club member, Valley Sierra.

Area VII hosted the National Area Show at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, CA on June 5–6, 1999.

Area VII hosted the National Area Show at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, CA on July 8–9, 1999.

Area VII and the Valley Sierra Miniature Horse Club produced an expanded, 48-page Stallion Directory for 2001

Patty Steele took over Newsletter editing duties from Kay Peterson. Virginia Flint took over with the December, 2001 issue.

Area VII hosted a successful sanctioned "A" show, "Equine Escapades," at the Jahant Equestrian Center June 16–17, 2001.

In May, Bob Steele was forced to step down as President, due to other commitments. Officers for the remainder of 2002 were: Interim Presidet, Barbara Nauviaux; Interim Vice President, Jan Perkins; Secretary, Kathy Freeman; Treasurer, Virginia Flint. Board of Directors: Carolyn Carroll, Marjorie Vliet, and Jeannie Butler.

 A new club logo was submitted and approved.

Volume VI, Issue 1 of the Newsletter listed 84 members.

Area VII sponsored a sanctioned 2-day, 2-judge show for Shetlands and Miniature horses at Jan Perkins Arena near Wallace, CA.

Area VII hosted the ASPC/AMHR National Convention in Reno, Nevada at the Circus-Circus Hotel Casino. Highlights were the Trainers Auction, under the auspices of Belinda Bagby and her retinue of trainers. A record-breaking $10,772 was raised.

In March, the club hosted a schooling show at Ranchotel Horse Center in Vacaville, and plans were made to continue it as an annual event once again.

In June, Area VII hosted a three-day Area National show at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, CA.

The Annual schooling show was held on March 28 at the Ranchotel Horse Center in Vacaville, CA.

The club again hosted the three-day Area National show, this time at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA.

At Convention in November, the club was awarded the 2009 Area National show.

Area VII Members won three 2008 ASPC Pony of the Year awards:
SSF's Apache's Legacy, Foundation Halter Pony of the Year, Carole Ann Ford
Pony Vista's Pow Wow, Modern Pleasure Halter Pony of the Year, Jennifer Radoi
Michigans Hart of An Apache, Modern Pleasure Performance Pony of the Year, Jennifer Radoi

37 ponies and minis gathered at Ranchotel Horse Center in Vacaville, CA for the Annual schooling show on March 29. This show was a fundraiser to help finance the Area National, and several members, particularly Joan Clements (Snack Bar) and Arlene Niegel (Basket Raffle) helped to make it a success.

A new For Sale section and a Stallion Directory were launched on the club's web site.

In May, the club hosted the Area National Show, a three-day event at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA.

At the end of September, the club partnered with Oakland's Metropolitan Horsemen's Association to host a schooling show for miniature horses and ponies at the Sequoia Arena in the Oakland Hills. It went very well for a late-season show and the first time in a new venue, with more than 50 spectators enjoying the event. MHA expressed an interest in doing two shows for minis and ponies next year.

At Convention, Jim Curry was presented with the 2009 ASPC/AMHR Peoples' Hall of Fame Award.

The Annual Schooling show at Ranchotel in Vacaville on March 28 was well-attended. Lisa Schmidt kindly donated her services as our judge.

Jennifer Radoi relocated from southern California to Missouri. John Killacky and Larry Connolly left San Francisco for Vermont. They purchased Fog Ranch's Pacific Raindrop from Pat Michielssen and Mimi Woolem, so they now have a pony of their own. All three of these folks were valuable members of our club, and they will be missed.