SCHC Summer Social Event
Mark your calendars for our Summer Social Event on August 30 at the Wild Oak Saddle Club Polo Field.
More than just a social hour, these events form the foundation of our work. By bringing together Sonoma County’s riders and advocates to share expertise and support, we strengthen the future of our equestrian heritage together. We look forward to seeing you in the crowd!
MORE Details to be announced soon!
Wildfire + Earthquake Preparedness Expo Presented by Halter Project
Wildfire + Earthquake Preparedness Expo
Saralee’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds!
April 26,
10AM-1:30PM
Got pets? Donkeys, horses, chickens, or other animal companions?
Worried about the next earthquake, wildfire, or storm?
Do you have a plan for your animals if something happens to you?
Are you a caregiver to a pet owner?
We’re here to help!
Join us Sunday, April 26 in Santa Rosa for a lively workshop where we’ll tackle your fears and answer your questions.
HALTER Project Founder Julie Atwood will guide you through the steps to a strong plan for animals in personal emergencies and natural disasters.
Come ready with questions about preparedness for pets, equines and livestock
Some of the topics we’ll cover:
Planning for Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place
What to do if you can’t get home or take your animals with you?
Caregivers and pets—Guidance and important resources for nurses and social workers too.
All attendees can pick up free animal prep workbooks for every kind of critter, from house pets to horses.
And there's more! Julie is part of a triple-header lineup of prep experts, all in one place. Grab coffee and a snack and spend a Sunday morning with us and leave feeling stronger and ready to be the calm, cool herd leader in your neighborhood.
Admission is free, parking is easy, and Saralee’s Barn is comfy and accessible.
Come join us for Safe Sunday at Saralee’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds!
April 26,
10AM-1:30PM
For complete expo info: Fire and Earthquake Expo
SCHC Community Survey
Our horse community is strongest when everyone has a voice.
SCHC is asking riders, horse owners, trainers, and equestrian enthusiasts across Sonoma County to share their perspectives through this short community survey. Your input will help guide our priorities and efforts moving forward.
Submission Deadline is April 9, 2026
POSTPONED: Tails & Tires Trail Safety Workshop
Tails & Tires Trail Safety Workshop
January 11, 2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Spring Lake Regional Park - Upper Oak Knolls picnic area
#GivingTuesday, help us keep the equestrian spirit alive in Sonoma County!
#GivingTuesday, help us keep the equestrian spirit alive in Sonoma County!
Your gift supports:
• Horse Show awards for youth
• Education and advocacy for horse owners
• Disaster preparedness and trail protection
Together, we can ride into 2026 with strength, unity, and purpose.
Mark West Regional Park & Open Space Preserve Preview Ride
Join the Sonoma County Horse Council for a rare and unforgettable experience!
At 1,192 acres, the breathtaking Mark West Creek Regional Park & Open Space Preserve is not yet open to the public — but you can be among the very first to explore it on horseback!
Thanks to a special partnership with Sonoma County Parks Foundation, SCHC members and regional riders are invited to enjoy an exclusive preview ride through this stunning landscape, followed by a delicious lunch and camaraderie under the oaks.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Time: Gate opens at 8:30 a.m. | Ride out at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Mark West Creek Regional Park & Open Space Preserve
Trailer Parking: Limited (trailer pooling encouraged)
Ride Limit: 25 Guests (SCHC Membership not required)
Ride + Lunch: $100 per person
Lunch Only: $35 per person
Benefiting: Sonoma County Horse Council & Sonoma County Parks Foundation
Ride Rules:
This is a 5.5-mile walking ride lasting approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
No creek access for horses or people
No riderless horses
Seasoned trail horses only
Bring water for you and your horse
No corrals available (horses must tie to the trailer)
Follow “Leave No Trace” practices
Subject to cancellation for weather as determined by Regional Parks
Questions or Waitlist:
Contact Elizabeth Palmer at schc.epalmer@gmail.com
REGISTER TO RIDE! (Deadline is Friday, October 17 at 5pm)
Don’t miss this chance to experience one of Sonoma County’s most beautiful new parks before it opens to the public!
Northern California Mustang Showcase
SCHC is a Proud Sponsor of the
Northern California Mustang Showcase
Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Open to the public! Free for spectators!
Lyttle Cow Palace at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds
A fundraiser for Wild Heart Restart Ranch
Learn more: www.mustangshowcase.com
SCHC Annual Picnic & BBQ!
Join Us for the Sonoma County Horse Council’s Annual Picnic & BBQ!
Sunday, August 24th | 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Wine Country Polo Field, 550 White Oak Drive Santa Rosa, CA
Spend a summer afternoon with fellow equestrians enjoying:
A Bloody Mary while watching local polo
A delicious BBQ lunch under shaded picnic table seating
Silent Auction to benefit SCHC initiatives
Good company, great views, and a chance to connect with our local horse-loving community
What to bring: Camping chairs or picnic blankets for prime polo viewing spots!
🚫 Sorry—no dogs or ponies allowed.
Special thanks to Sharon Vallejo and Horseshoe Mart
for their event sponsorship!
Tickets: $55 Members | $65 Non-Members
Attention Business Members: Interested in spreading the word about your business? For an additional donation, you are welcome to set up an information table.
Want to make an additional contribution? Consider donating an item or experience to our silent auction — it’s a fun and meaningful way to support our mission while connecting with our community.
Have questions or an idea in mind? Reach out to our Treasurer, Sarah De Sanz— she’d love to hear from you!
Silent Auction to Benefit SCHC Programs
Silent Auction items include: Pikeur navy sweater (size 36) and matching britches (size 38); Cavallo sweatshirt, size 6; silk scarves by Wild West Rag Company, and more!
Saddle Up for Farmer’s Day & Horse Play at the Sonoma County Fair!
Saddle Up for Farmer’s Day & Horse Play
at the Sonoma County Fair!
Friday, August 1 • Gates Open at 5 PM • Show Starts at 6 PM
Chris Beck Arena
Grab your boots and gather the family for a high-energy, hands-on celebration of our local farm life and equestrian excellence at Farmer’s Day & Horse Play, happening Friday, August 1, at the Sonoma County Fair!
From barnyard games to breathtaking horse demonstrations, this family-friendly evening promises horsepower, heritage, and hometown fun for all ages.
Russian River Rodeo
RUSSIAN RIVER RODEO
June 21-22, 2025
23450 MOSCOW ROAD, DUNCANS MILLS, CA 95430
LOCAL BARREL RACE at the Rodeo!
Each year we invite local barrel racers to participate in our rodeo performance alongside our CCPRA Barrel Racers!
RODEO PERFORMANCE STARTS AT 1 PM SHARP!
Join us before 1 PM Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the whole rodeo experience! Arrive early to shop our vendors, grab some food and settle in to watch the show! Typically rodeo performance runs from 1 PM - 3:30 PM
SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Stick around after the rodeo on Saturday, share a beer with friends and shop at those amazing vendors! And catch a little more rodeo action in the arena as we host a "slack" rodeo performance.
2025 Russian River Rodeo Tickets
No tickets available at the gate!
Gates open at 11 AM
NO DOGS, NO ICE CHESTS, NO SMOKING
SCHC Trail Ride at Reis River Ranch - POSTPONED
POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER
The Reis River Ranch Ride is postponed until September as a health precaution for all horses due to the recent EHV outbreak in Sonoma County. More info here: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts
Call Deborah Reis at 800-732-8220 for a refund or Contact Sahar Bartlett, SCHC Vice President, for guidance.
SCHC Roundup: Annual Meeting & Meet-n-Greet
Join SCHC’s first Meet-n-Greet of the Year!
SCHC BOD Nominations Due
The Sonoma County Horse Council is looking for dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors. Help shape the future of equestrian life in Sonoma County! Nominations close March 5th.
Sonoma County Horse Journal Advertising Deadline - Spring Issue
Advertise in the Horse Journal
Whatever your business or nonprofit, if it’s horse related, you need to advertise in the Horse Journal.
If you have questions about advertising in the Horse Journal, please contact us.
Design services available at a nominal charge. Contact Kari Ontko to learn more.
Submission Deadlines
December 1 (Winter Issue)
March 1 (Spring Issue)
June 1 (Summer Issue)
September 1 (Fall Issue)
Chocolate Cloud Holiday Fair - Free!
Join SCHC as we celebrate the season at Flying Cloud Farm’s family-friendly holiday fair! Shop for treasures from local artisans, snack a kids' bake sale, get your face painted, and take festive photos. Sip on cozy holiday coffee from The Tin Cup or tasty tacos from Tacos Don Pepe while relaxing at cocktail seating. Enjoy holiday music, twinkling lights, and seasonal decor. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and cross everyone off your holiday list!
Saturday, 12/7 from 11am - 3pm: Flying Cloud Farm, 1200 Jacobsen Lane, Petaluma
Sonoma County Horse Journal Advertising Deadline - Winter Issue
Advertise in the Horse Journal
Whatever your business or nonprofit, if it’s horse related, you need to advertise in the Horse Journal.
If you have questions about advertising in the Horse Journal, please contact us.
Design services available at a nominal charge. Contact Kari Ontko to learn more.
Submission Deadlines
December 1 (Winter Issue)
March 1 (Spring Issue)
June 1 (Summer Issue)
September 1 (Fall Issue)
Sunrise Horse Rescue Harvest of Hope
Please save the date to join us at Blossom Creek farm in Calistoga!
We are so excited to be returning to the picturesque Blossom Creek Farm, hosted by Ransome Rombauer and the Rombauer family, for an all-new daytime event! As September paints the valley with its vibrant hues, we're launching a midday celebration that promises to complement your busy schedule amidst the flurry of evening harvest parties.
We can't wait to mark our 17th anniversary of dedicated service to Napa Valley and beyond, championing horses in need and delivering transformative Equine Assisted Learning & Therapy programs throughout our community.
Prepare for an unforgettable event featuring:
Live music from The Gypsy Trio
Exciting, interactive, and educational horse activities
Premium local wines
Fresh seasonal cuisine provided by Imagination on Fire and Croccante
vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options available
Silent Auction & Paddle Raise
Special appearances by the equine beneficiaries of Sunrise Horse Rescue
Sonoma County Horse Council's Summer BBQ & Fundraiser
Celebrate the Sonoma County Horse Council's Summer BBQ & Fundraiser!
Join us for a gathering of horse-loving
friends and family
When: August 25, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Where: The Wine Country Polo Field at Wild Oak Saddle Club
550 White Oak Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Come enjoy a delicious BBQ feast, engage with fellow horse enthusiasts, and support our efforts in promoting and protecting the equestrian community in Sonoma County. The Wine Country Polo Field’s beautiful setting at Wild Oak Saddle Club offers a perfect backdrop for an afternoon of camaraderie and celebration.
Arrive early to watch the Wine Country Polo Club USPA Constitution Cup Tournament. Learn More.
SCHC Business Members are encouraged to bring information about their businesses to share. Your ticket to the BBQ and an RSVP to info@sonomacountyhorsecouncil.org is all that is required to participate.
Note: The Sonoma County Horse Council's General Meeting will take place at 11:00 AM, prior to the Summer BBQ. We encourage all members to attend and contribute to the continued success and growth of our equestrian community.
Your participation helps us continue our mission to support local equestrian activities and education. Get your tickets online.
To best enjoy viewing the Polo match, we recommend bringing blankets or camping chairs. There will be plentiful picnic tables and benches under shade for socializing and bbq lunch.
*Please keep your pups and ponies at home for this event.
A CAVALIA EXPERIENCE - Sylvia Zerbini's Liberte`
Get ready to be mesmerized by the incredible skill and grace of Sylvia Zerbini, the world’s greatest equestrian trainer and performing artist. Former lead equestrian trainer and star of Cavalia and Ringling Brothers Circus, Sylvia Zerbini, along with over twenty magnificent horses and talented cast members will leave you speechless. You will be spell bound during the one-hour performance of majestic horsemanship, daring stunts, intricate choreography, high flying aerialists and live musicians.
Get ready to be mesmerized by the incredible skill and grace of Sylvia Zerbini, the world’s greatest equestrian trainer and performing artist. Former lead equestrian trainer and star of Cavalia and Ringling Brothers Circus, Sylvia Zerbini, along with over twenty magnificent horses and talented cast members will leave you speechless. You will be spell bound during the one-hour performance of majestic horsemanship, daring stunts, intricate choreography, high flying aerialists and live musicians.
CANCELLED- SCHC Trailering Safety Course - June 22, 2024
SADLY, DUE TO A LACK OF INTEREST, WE MUST CANCEL THE JUNE 22 TRAILERING SAFETY COURSE
Sonoma County Horse Council Equus Awards Gala and Fundraiser May 11, 2024
14th Sonoma County Horse Council
Equus Awards Gala and Fundraiser
May 11, 2024 at 5:00pm
Friedman Event Center
4676 Mayette Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Individual Tickets: $125
Table of Ten: $1,250
At the time of ticket purchase, please include your guests’ names. Or, you may email: schc.epalmer@gmail.com, separately.
Holiday Bazaar at the Barn, A Benefit for SERRA Equine Rescue
Save the Date: Saturday, December 16th
Holiday Bazaar at the Barn, A Benefit for SERRA Equine Rescue
When: Saturday, December 16th from 2pm-5pm
How much: $20 Adults, $5 kids under 12 (pay at the barn)
Parking: Free
Sonoma County Driving and Riding Club Holiday Celebration
Sonoma County Driving and Riding Club Holiday Celebration
Date- 12/2/23
Where- at the clubhouse on the Fairgrounds (gate code tbd.)
When- 5pm Happy Hour, 6pm dinner, to be followed by installation of 2024 officers
Gift exchange-bring a gift to exchange with same sex friend ($10 max)
Menu- Ham, Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad and Dessert
SCDRC, CART, and SCHC members $20, guests $25, and kids 12 and under $12
Please RSVP (required) by November 29th to Fran Bengtsson, 707-373-1624
