June 2010: MBHA Announces new website, change in general meetings. Call for parade participants. ACTHA June trail ride. Any Pony Express Memories?

Working with the changing times, MBHA is proud to announce that we have gone all digital!
Welcome to the COWBOY UP! website!
As all members know, in 2010 the MBHA moved away from the "non-green" and costly physical newsletter and moved into a downloadable PDF newsletter. With the amount of member news and photos beginning to come in, we have moved a step further in deciding to allow our website to serve as the newsletter, saving members from having to download any files. You will still be receiving Cheyenne's monthly notifications to let you know when the new news is up on the site.

Events are now listed on the home page - right where we want them, so you can find them quickly! News will be here, with links at the bottom to previous news pages in case you miss anything. If you have ads or brags, send them in, and they will go on the sponsors/member ads page. We will also have opportunities for more effective advertising for sponsers, allowing them to update their ads monthly by sending in news about sales and other topics, with a link to their website. If you have photos, news or anything you'd like to contribute, please let us know! deserttrailrider@aol.com

New day and time for MBHA general meetings
For the months of June, July, and August, MBHA will be changing its general meetings in order to make them easier for members to attend. We will NOT be meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month for the summer; instead we will be meeting on the THIRD SATURDAY, immediately following our monthly gymkhanas! If you are there to ride, help, or watch, simply stay for lunch and be part of the meeting. The MBHA needs your input and support, and welcomes your ideas, so please come join us.

Looking for Parade Participants
The Morongo Valley Trail Riders have generously extended an invitation to MBHA members to come participate in the Morongo Valley Parade in September. Interested? Contact James: verrets@netzero.com

Morongo Valley ACTHA World Record Ride June 13th
The Morongo Valley Trail Riders are participating in the June 13th, 2010 ACTHA World Record Attempt. This is a nation-wide event to enter the Guiness Book of World Records for the Largest Trail Riding Competition. It is hoped to be the largest gathering of riders participating in an event in a single day across the US. If you'd like to be part of this ride and record attempt, see the Morongo Valley Ride's page at the ACTHA website. You can join and sign up online. For more information on ACTHA in general, see their website.

Have memories of the Pony Express?
The MBHA is calling for anyone who has ever participated in a Morongo Basin Pony Express Event to please send us your memories! We are putting together a page full of the recollections from people that have ridden this ride, from back in the 1960's right up until now! If you have something to add, big or small, please send it in - we want to hear from all of you! Send an email titled Pony X Memories to deserttrailrider@aol.com, so it can be added to the page.

The June Event Flyer is here. Download and print it out, and put it anywhere you think people may like to see it!

Need any tack repaired?
Dave Mock is based in Morongo Valley, and ready to help with your tack needs! He is located off Palo Verde, near the transfer station - call for information: 760-567-7138

The MBHA is in need of a Treasurer! If you have any interest in serving your club, contact:
James Verret- 760-366-2788 - verrets@netzero.net

Change in price structure for 2010 Events
Graduated cost for members at events will take effect in 2010. $25.00 for the first rider in a family, $15.00 for second rider in a family and $5.00 for the rest of the family members. Lead lines are free with a family member-ship. Discounts do not apply to Time Only Runs

Past Newsletters

Download the April, 2010 newsletter here: 4/10newsletter

Download the March, 2010 newsletter here: 3/10newsletter

Download the February, 2010 newsletter here: 2/10newsletter

Past News Items

2010 Extreme Cowboy Race results are here

December 2009: Member Paula Heil proposes stepped-up Barrel Racing participation for 2010.
Read here for detailed information on these Time Only/Exhibition Run Events.

2009 (Not So) Extreme Cowboy Race: read Penny Dees' excellent recap of the event, and see the results here; and be sure to check out the gallery for some great photos!

2008 Trail Trials Clinic

Items needed to build a Trail Trials Course at the arena

USRider Motor Plan

Proposed Arena Layout Plan

Team Sorting Reflection

Equine Herpes Virus Update from UC Davis

M.B.H.A. Member incentives for 2007