December 18, 1975 (12 pages)

2 — THE NEVADA COUNTY NUGGET — Thursday, December 18, 1975 Nevada County Horsemen ponder future By DAVE CARTER Nugget Staff Reporter ‘‘We have about 600 members and half of those are human,” jokes a member of Nevada County Horsemen, Inc. (NCHI). The species of the other half is not hard to guess. NCHI is the county’s largest organized group of horsemen, women, children and horses. It is a family-oriented group boasting a membership of some 100 families. Preserving the rural qualities of Nevada county and the access of residents to a variety of horse trails is a primary objective of the sroup. Some NCHI members own quite a few horses while others own none. But a common bond exists in their love for their brand of recreation and concern for its future here in Nevada county. In existence since 1951, NCHI attempts to keep a constant eye on_ local developments. of concern to horse lovers. At a time when horses are fast gaining in popularity throughout the nation, (there ON THE COVER The Christmas sketch on the front page was completed for the Nugget by Nevada City artist Elaine Lesher. All area residents are invited to submit artwork, photos and news for publication. The Nugget is your community newspaper and your participation is welcomed. Merry . Christmas to everyone! NEVADA COUNTY NUGGET 104 So. Pine Street Nevada City, Ca. 95959 Telephone 265-2559 PUBLISHED EVERY “THURSDAY BY NEVADA COUNTY PUBLISHING CO. “ ~ Second class postage ‘paid at Nevada City, California. Adjudicated “a legal -newspaper of general circulation by the Nevada County Superior Court, June 3, 1960. Decree No. 12,406. Subscription Rates: One Year .. $3.00) Two Years . $5.00! Member of CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION _ are more horses in the country today than at any time ever before), the club views itself as one of the best vehicles to represent local horse people. Financially sound, NCHI owns and operates its own arena in which horse shows, rodeos and other competitions are regularly held. Many of the events are open to the public free of charge. The horsemen also operate a clubhouse, The Trail’s End, which serves as_ their headquarters and meeting place. According to Treasurer Sharon Hyers, NCHI raises funds through their annual rodeo which draws many of the west’s best known cowboys, monthly horse shows, catering dinners and renting their clubhouse for social events. In addition to NCHI there are eight other horsemen’s groups in western Nevada county. They cooperate regularly on projects but, according to an NCHI spokesman, they are not generally organized as a political force. Some members feel that NCHI could do more in assuring a good future for horse riding in the local area. Some feel the doors of urbanization closing around them. Nina Maloney, chairwoman of the group’s Trail Committee and wife of current president Ken Maloney, says that little by little, horse access trails are being eliminated. This is due in a large part to landowners who are now fencing in their lands which before were left in a more natural state. “It used to be that people would enjoy having you ride through their land,” she says, “but we see more fences going up all the time.” Member Ernie Young feels that new residents moving up here to enjoy the rural lifestyle, are defeating their own purposes by fencing off their lands. Young, who resides near Nevada County Airpark, said that within the past year areas _ encircling his home have been fenced, forcing he and his family to either ride down busy, paved streets to nearby trails or to take his horses out NEVADA COUNTY HORSEMEN, INC., the area's largest group of horse people, completed bleachers at their by trailer, which is what he usually does. Land planners and developers, say the horsemen, are not taking full advantage of the opportunity to assure horse access, a selling point important to many potential rural lardbuyers. NCHI officials attempt to meet with county supervisors whenever an issue of importance to local horsemen arises. According to club members, horsemen have been represented by a Sacramento lobbyist in years past but not presently. Mrs. Maloney says that Highway 20 east of Nevada City, which is designated a scenic corridor, is slowly being fenced all the way to the Tahoe National Forest boundary, thus eliminating a popular riding area. Fences are to within eight feet of the roadway, making riding there dangerous. The most important project of NCHI at the present time is Camptonville News CAMPTONVILLE, Dec. 12. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Erickson and son, of Rocklin were in town over the weekend visiting relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marrs and family of Linda were recent visitors at the Cleveland home. Don Miller of Sacramento, was in town on a brief business visit last week. Gary Laughlin, of Rocklin, -was in ‘town this week completing their survey of the Camptonville Cemetery. The annual Christmas Tree was put up and decorated at the usual place, on the corner of Spring Street and Cleveland Avenue, and the lights thereon will be hearlding the holiday spirit every night until after the holidays. Alex R. Hume left last week for his home at Burbank after spending the past few weeks at his summer home here. the establishment of a riding area from McCourtney Road to Penn Valley. The group is in the process of obtaining a $10,000 federal grant from the High Sierra Resource Con‘servation District along with a 600 acre land lease from the Bureau of Land Management, (BLM). The money will be used for development of a network of riding trails through the area. This unique approach will also feature camping facilities, restrooms and recreational sites. arena in time for last summer's big rodeo. regular meeting, voted to lease the land from BLM for a fee of somewhere between $42 to $55 per month. They now await the improvement funds. Members’ expressed satisfaction with the recent announcement of the Pioneer Trail which, when completed, will allow horsemen to journey across the high Sierra from Folsom to Carson City, Nevada. The trail ranges through country largely untouched by development and will be one of the most scenic horse trails in the west. According to Buck Hyers, NCHI, at last Friday’s NCHI vice president, the group is currently involved in setting aside an 1100-acre plot for horse use in Empire State Park. The group is actively seeking new members who are concerned about horseback riding, present and future, in Nevada county. Interested persons are invited to attend NCHI meetings the second Friday of each month at 8 p.m. The clubhouse is the meeting place and is located at the corner of Brunswick and Town Talk Roads just east of Glenbrook Plaza. MARCHING BANDS and area schoolchildren will be among the participants in this year's Donation Day Parade Friday, December 19, at 10 a.m. in downtown Grass Valley. See story on facing page.

2 — THE NEVADA COUNTY NUGGET — Thursday, December 18, 1975 Nevada County Horsemen ponder future By DAVE CARTER Nugget Staff Reporter ‘‘We have about 600 members and half of those are human,” jokes a member of Nevada County Horsemen, Inc. (NCHI). The species of the other half is not hard to guess. NCHI is the county’s largest organized group of horsemen, women, children and horses. It is a family-oriented group boasting a membership of some 100 families. Preserving the rural qualities of Nevada county and the access of residents to a variety of horse trails is a primary objective of the sroup. Some NCHI members own quite a few horses while others own none. But a common bond exists in their love for their brand of recreation and concern for its future here in Nevada county. In existence since 1951, NCHI attempts to keep a constant eye on_ local developments. of concern to horse lovers. At a time when horses are fast gaining in popularity throughout the nation, (there ON THE COVER The Christmas sketch on the front page was completed for the Nugget by Nevada City artist Elaine Lesher. All area residents are invited to submit artwork, photos and news for publication. The Nugget is your community newspaper and your participation is welcomed. Merry . Christmas to everyone! NEVADA COUNTY NUGGET 104 So. Pine Street Nevada City, Ca. 95959 Telephone 265-2559 PUBLISHED EVERY “THURSDAY BY NEVADA COUNTY PUBLISHING CO. “ ~ Second class postage ‘paid at Nevada City, California. Adjudicated “a legal -newspaper of general circulation by the Nevada County Superior Court, June 3, 1960. Decree No. 12,406. Subscription Rates: One Year ... $3.00) Two Years .. $5.00! Member of CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION _ are more horses in the country today than at any time ever before), the club views itself as one of the best vehicles to represent local horse people. Financially sound, NCHI owns and operates its own arena in which horse shows, rodeos and other competitions are regularly held. Many of the events are open to the public free of charge. The horsemen also operate a clubhouse, The Trail’s End, which serves as_ their headquarters and meeting place. According to Treasurer Sharon Hyers, NCHI raises funds through their annual rodeo which draws many of the west’s best known cowboys, monthly horse shows, catering dinners and renting their clubhouse for social events. In addition to NCHI there are eight other horsemen’s groups in western Nevada county. They cooperate regularly on projects but, according to an NCHI spokesman, they are not generally organized as a political force. Some members feel that NCHI could do more in assuring a good future for horse riding in the local area. Some feel the doors of urbanization closing around them. Nina Maloney, chairwoman of the group’s Trail Committee and wife of current president Ken Maloney, says that little by little, horse access trails are being eliminated. This is due in a large part to landowners who are now fencing in their lands which before were left in a more natural state. “It used to be that people would enjoy having you ride through their land,” she says, “but we see more fences going up all the time.” Member Ernie Young feels

that new residents moving up here to enjoy the rural lifestyle, are defeating their own purposes by fencing off their lands. Young, who resides near Nevada County Airpark, said that within the past year areas _ encircling his home have been fenced, forcing he and his family to either ride down busy, paved streets to nearby trails or to take his horses out NEVADA COUNTY HORSEMEN, INC., the area's largest group of horse people, completed bleachers at their by trailer, which is what he usually does. Land planners and developers, say the horsemen, are not taking full advantage of the opportunity to assure horse access, a selling point important to many potential rural lardbuyers. NCHI officials attempt to meet with county supervisors whenever an issue of importance to local horsemen arises. According to club members, horsemen have been represented by a Sacramento lobbyist in years past but not presently. Mrs. Maloney says that Highway 20 east of Nevada City, which is designated a scenic corridor, is slowly being fenced all the way to the Tahoe National Forest boundary, thus eliminating a popular riding area. Fences are to within eight feet of the roadway, making riding there dangerous. The most important project of NCHI at the present time is Camptonville News CAMPTONVILLE, Dec. 12. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Erickson and son, of Rocklin were in town over the weekend visiting relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marrs and family of Linda were recent visitors at the Cleveland home. Don Miller of Sacramento, was in town on a brief business visit last week. Gary Laughlin, of Rocklin, -was in ‘town this week completing their survey of the Camptonville Cemetery. The annual Christmas Tree was put up and decorated at the usual place, on the corner of Spring Street and Cleveland Avenue, and the lights thereon will be hearlding the holiday spirit every night until after the holidays. Alex R. Hume left last week for his home at Burbank after spending the past few weeks at his summer home here. the establishment of a riding area from McCourtney Road to Penn Valley. The group is in the process of obtaining a $10,000 federal grant from the High Sierra Resource Con‘servation District along with a 600 acre land lease from the Bureau of Land Management, (BLM). The money will be used for development of a network of riding trails through the area. This unique approach will also feature camping facilities, restrooms and recreational sites. arena in time for last summer's big rodeo. regular meeting, voted to lease the land from BLM for a fee of somewhere between $42 to $55 per month. They now await the improvement funds. Members’ expressed satisfaction with the recent announcement of the Pioneer Trail which, when completed, will allow horsemen to journey across the high Sierra from Folsom to Carson City, Nevada. The trail ranges through country largely untouched by development and will be one of the most scenic horse trails in the west. According to Buck Hyers, NCHI, at last Friday’s NCHI vice president, the group is currently involved in setting aside an 1100-acre plot for horse use in Empire State Park. The group is actively seeking new members who are concerned about horseback riding, present and future, in Nevada county. Interested persons are invited to attend NCHI meetings the second Friday of each month at 8 p.m. The clubhouse is the meeting place and is located at the corner of Brunswick and Town Talk Roads just east of Glenbrook Plaza. MARCHING BANDS and area schoolchildren will be among the participants in this year's Donation Day Parade Friday, December 19, at 10 a.m. in downtown Grass Valley. See story on facing page.