Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision:

The Mounted Patrol Foundation believes that horses and equestrian activities have helped create a vibrant, healthy community in Woodside California and the surrounding area, and Historically, horses were essential to life in the United States for transportation, work and pleasure. The Mounted Patrol Foundation seeks to honor this legacy by continuing to support, maintain, develop and encourage equestrian facilities, activities and heritage in the town of Woodside, the county of San Mateo and the state of California. Our vision also includes the preservation of horse habitats and trail systems to provide both opportunities and environments conducive to the enjoyment of horses for horse owners and the public at large.

Our Mission and grant record:

The Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), charitable organization that works in collaboration with local government, other public agencies and other non-profits to support and promote equestrian activities and facilities in the area. The Foundation also serves the fiscal agent for CHAPS - Community Horse Advocacy Program for San Mateo County - and works closely with them to achieve our mutual goals. During the 16 years since our founding, the Mounted Patrol Foundation has made grants totaling over $330,000 to over 40 horse- and equestrian-related organizations, activities, and facilities.

These goals include:

We support programs that use horses to fulfill our obligation to veterans who have given so much, to foster kids who have lost so much, and less fortunate children, who have so little.
Fundraising to enhance, preserve and promote safe and successful operations, programs, facilities, trail development and improvements for horse-related activities.
Creating an environment that educates and reinforces the historic and ongoing contribution of horses for work and recreation.

Current Fundraising Projects and Completed projects

Center Trail Bridge

We are pleased to report construction of the Center Trail Bridge began in earnest on June 15. After the biologists confirmed there were no nesting birds or wildlife that could be disturbed, the clearing and preparation began. Currently, the footings have been installed and the bridge itself has been delivered and is being assembled on site. We anticipate the project should be completed by the end of July or early August.

The MP Foundation helped with the fundraising to pay for the new bridge. The Woodside Trails Club, . WHOA, WCF and CHAPS were key contributors. It was opened on August 31, 2019, just in time for riding on Labor Day weekend.

See More - Center Trail Bridge

The Woodside Equestrian Merit Scholarship

The Mounted Patrol Foundation and WHOA! (Woodside-area Horse Owners Association) are jointly sponsoring and funding a $10,000 scholarship for post-secondary education, to be awarded in 2020. The criteria will be high academic achievement, high community involvement and significant equestrian activity. Application and information will be on the Foundation's and WHOA's websites.

SUCCESS: The scholarship was awarded to Rebecca Refaee on June 11, 2020.

See more in Woodside-area Equestrian Scholarship

Woodside Town Council Goes Trail Riding

On Saturday, August 24 the Woodside Town Council participated in a beautiful trail ride in Wunderlich Park. The ride was followed by a Town Council meeting and a short presentation from fifteen different equestrian groups from the area. The Mounted Patrol Foundation presented checks of $500 to the eight qualifying equestrian organizations. Afterwards everyone was treated to a fabulous lunch, provided by the Mounted Patrol under the portico of the historic Folger Stable. The event was organized to raise awareness of the equestrian experience and to educate the Town Council on the various clubs, organizations, facilities and activities associated with horses in our community. Riding from the Town Council were six Council members, the Town Manager, and the Town Secretary. A good time was had by all, and everyone had a chance to meet and mingle, enjoy the beautiful stable and surrounding environs, and learn about horses.

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