Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision:

The Mounted Patrol Foundation believes that horses and equestrian activities have helped create a wonderful, 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

Replacement of Bridge over Towne Creek - Pescadero Creek County Park

SUCCESS: The new bridge was finished on Labor Day Weekend, in time for the first equestrians. Many thanks to Mike Bushue for all his hard work in designing and building the bridge. And many thanks to the generous donors that made this possible.

The West Brook Trail has been a favorite of hikers and equestrians for many years. It goes down the beautiful Town Creek valley among towering redwoods and crosses Town Creek near the bottom on a bridge that was constructed many years ago.

The old bridge is 20 feet long, and was built with abutments at the edge of the creek. Over the years, the wood had rotted, and the creek has eroded the western abutment requiring the trail to be closed.

The MP Foundation led the fundraising to pay for the replacement of this bridge. It was opened on August 31, 2019, just in time for riding on Labor Day weekend.

See More - Towne Creek 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.

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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