Sheriff's Activity League
Lessons and trail ride for youth with SAL
The Mounted Patrol Foundation is working with the Sheriff's Activity League to sponsor horse riding activities at Wunderlich Park. Chaparral Ranch is located at Wunderlich Park, and has a number of good trail horses and qualified wranglers that support the program. A "session" consists of two hours. The first 1/2 hour is introduction to grooming and saddling a horse, followed by a 1/2 hour training ride in the arena to teach the basics of horsemanship. The second hour is a trail ride in the beautiful trails of Wunderlich Park. Each "session" will have 4-6 youth, an adult supervisor and two wranglers. The approximate cost of a session is $720.
We want to thank the following for their generous donations to support this program.
Please consider to donating to support this program
Woodside Horse Owners Association is an advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve the fundamental role of horses in maintaining the rural character of the Town of Woodside and neighboring foothill communities, to enhance opportunities for equestrian activities, and to promote the enjoyment of horses in all their various roles. |
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San Mateo County Parks Foundation raises funds to support recreational, environmental and educational programs and projects of SMC Parks. |
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assists with the preservation of publicly accessible barns, stables, pastures horse camps and trails. The have recently expanded to provide activities for children related to this mission. |  |
SAL was founded in 1997 by former Sheriff Don Horsley with the purpose of strengthening relationships between youth, deputies, and communities to aid in the intervention and prevention of juvenile delinquency in San Mateo County through positive, dynamic programs. Today, under the leadership of Sheriff Carlos Bolanos, the SAL program continues to thrive and is serving over 11,000 youth per year in programs, presentations and special events throughout San Mateo County. More information on SAL at
Link to Sheriffs Activity League website
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Session #13 - January 3, 2024 - Two hour session. Learn the basics, Ride in the Arena , Trail ride in the hills |
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 | Maritza -Thank you for this amazing opportunity that was given to me. This was my first time horseback riding and really enjoyed learning how to ride a horse. I had the opportunity to ride Sparkles and was an awesome horse. I learned how to control and make the horse go left, right, stop, and go. I really liked going on the trail. The view was amazing and the trail was so beautiful. Thank you guys for this unforgettable experience and memory. |
 | Alessandra -I had lots of fun riding a horse. I have ridden a horse before but I always look forward to riding one. It was fun to get out and ride a horse during my winter break I would definitely like to keep doing this. |
 | Luna -I want to start off by saying thank you to the people who made my day fun and memorable. I am really thankful that I had the opportunity to enjoy this experience and can't wait to be able to go back one day again and ride more horses. This experience was really fun and I am really happy my best friend made me go because I had the opportunity to connect to nature. When we got there we first learned how to prep a horse so that we could ride them and that reminded me of when I was little because my uncle owned two horses. Then we got on them and learned the basics we needed to know so that we could go on the trail. It was really fun and after being on the horse for a bit I got the hang of it. Then when we had the basics done it was time to go on the trail and it was a really calming experience. I really appreciate that I had this chance to go because I feel like I really needed an experience like this to connect me to nature and myself. Thank you so much for letting me have this memorable experience! |
 | Dayana -My experience was really fun. I think we all enjoyed it so much. The instructors made everything really clear on how to ride the horses. I would definitely return. I’m happy I got to experience that, even if I fell off the horse…. I would still go back to give it another s |
 | Daily -I want to say thank you to the people that made my day a very fun and interesting day and made it possible for me to experience horseback riding. I really had fun and enjoyed every second of it, riding the horses and going on a trail made me feel at peace and calm. It made the start of my 2024 amazing and I’m vary grateful for everything. I learned how to ride a horse and how to handle a horse and the steps on getting the horse ready to ride. They gave us the opportunity to ride it by ourselves and go on a trail walk which was amazing, thank you! |
 | Malaya -I am thankful for those that made this horseback riding experience happen. I really liked going on the trail and learning the horse commands. My favorite part was being able to have full control of the horse there was no one walking and pulling the horse. I would go horseback riding again. |
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Session #12 - July 28, 2023 - Two hour session. Learn the basics, Ride in the Arena , Trail ride in the hills |
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 | Mateo R. -This is my 3rd time riding a horse I really liked it. My horses name was Angel and behaved like an Angel. I really like horses and I am so happy I got to come. My favorite part was the trail ride because I had full control of my horse. |
 | Martin -I'm in 3rd grade and this was my first time riding a horse. I had fun even if I was a little bit scared at first. I'm really happy I got to come and ride a horse I will do it again. |
 | Brandon -This was my first time riding a horse it was really fun my favorite part was that I got to ride a horse on my own the hardest part was getting the horse to stop. I will do this again because I will be better at it since I learned a lot this time. |
 | Julian -My name is Julian and this as my first time riding a horse. I am in 4th grade my favorite part was getting to ride the horse and control where the horse goes. During the trail the horses kept getting out of line and we had to control them to get them back in line |
 | Mateo G. -I'm in second grade and I have 7 years old. This is my second time riding a horse it was good. When we were at the trail ride the horse got close to the edge and it got a little scary but I was able to get him back in line I will ride a horse again |
 | Byron -I'm in 4th grade this was my first time riding a horse it was very fun I learned how to ride a horse the hardest part was making the horse stop. I will do this again my favorite part was when we got to go on the trail ride. |
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Session #11 - May 1, 2023 - Two hour session. Learn the basics, Ride in the Arena , Trail ride in the hills |
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| Yuritizi - My experience was a positive one because it was fun to learn how to ride a horse and it was very calming when we went on the trail ride | |
| Alex A -My experience in the Horse riding was very fun and exciting since I've never been on a horse or rode one, and I really liked the horse that I got chosen for, Salem. | |
| Jaden -I had a lot of fun visiting Wunderlich for the Trail Ride Program. Our instructors were patient and helpful, and they helped make this opportunity a great one. The horse I rode was Lady - she kept inching forward while we were walking and getting close to the horse in front of us. Lady's a beautiful horse who knows what she's doing. I've never ridden a horse before, so this was a new experience. It was refreshing to walk through nature on the trail with a horse, like a break from the functions of daily life. Thank you so much to everyone who made this program possible! | |
| Idania -I really enjoyed the trip since the view of the areas we went through were very nice. The trail was one that could be enjoyed thoroughly due to the relaxing pace of the horses. The horses themselves were also really enjoyable, and seemed to be pretty friendly." |
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Session #10 - Feb 20, 2023 - Two hour session. Learn the basics, Ride in the Arena , Trail ride in the hills |
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 | Evey -I'm Evey and my experience was really good, I had the horse Lexi and she was really sweet as well as our instructor who was patient and socialized with us. overall, my experience was great, and I'd love to do it again |
 | Betsa -My experience on this horseback riding trip was very nice since you can get to know a new place, new people, horseback riding after so long, seeing how kind people were in teaching some of us how to handle a horse, getting familiar with nature was something. It was also very nice to be able to see great nature reserves and how much fun it all was. Thanks to you who gave us the opportunity of this unique experience for us very nice everything and infinite mind thank you |
 | Yasmin -I would like to thank you for this opportunity I had a great time riding my assigned horse (saylem). I had so much fun going on the trail ride with saylem. My favorite part was when we learned how to signal a horse to do a trot. A trot is when a horse dose a slight jog, it was a bit scary at first but after I got used to it, it got fun. I also enjoyed learning how to take off a horse's saddle. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and I'm very thankful for this opportunity. |
 | Maire -My name is Maire and my experience with Chaparral was amazing, I never went riding before but today and it was lovely. My horse (Angel) was a sweetheart. I loved her and the woods. I hope I can do it again. |
 | Breccan -I'm 8 years old and my horse was Gracie. I had a lot of fun with my horse she was so fun, and she did not run most of the time but she did get distracted with food that was really funny. I loved it. I want to go back again |
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Session #9 - Feb 17, 2023 - Two hour session. Learn the basics, Ride in the Arena , Trail ride in the hills |
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 | Mercy -I liked it. I enjoyed riding the horses. My horse was lady. I had a lot of fun riding in the arena and learning how to ride. I was also excited to ride on the trail. Seeing my friends laugh and have fun made me happy and really appreciate this experience. I would 10/10 recommend. |
 | Gabi -Hi, my name is Gabi, today I was able to ride Grace. She was a great horse and beautiful. I had a great experience, definitely would do it again. I felt ready to keep riding and learn more. I am forever grateful for experience and hope I can learn more about horses in the future |
 | Angie -Hi my name is Angelina, today I was able to go horseback riding on my horse Salem. I really connected to her. It was very peaceful and calming. I learned how to brush and groom the horses as well as learning how to control and ride them. Overall I had it was very fun and I would do it again |
 | Annel -Hi, my name is Annel. I enjoyed my time here at the ranch. It helped my problems go away while I was riding the horse. I rode a horse named sparkle. She was a very nice horse. She followed all of the rules and I had a great connection with horse. This made me feel confident when riding on the trail. Thank you for the experience!!! |
 | Tatiana -Hi, my name is Tatiana. Today we were able to go horseback riding and I got the horse Shasta. At the beginning we learned how to brush and groom before then going in the arena and learning how to steer and working on our control with the horses. From there, we started to go on the trail and rode in the woods for about an hour. Seeing the nature was very calming and a peaceful experience, especially being with my friends. It was overall a fun evening and I would do it again. |
 | Camila -Hi my name is Camila. Today I was able to horseback ride on the horse Lexi. I learned how to groom and basics for riding. It was a fun experience and helped me clear my mind as I was in nature. Such a peaceful way to spend time and would 100% do it again. Thanks so much for the opportunity and experience. It is something that I will never forget! |
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Session #8 - February 10, 2023 - Coast Youth Two hour session Riding in the Arena after learning the basics |
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 | Jocelyn - I had the opportunity to ride a horse named Sandy. She was calm and quiet. At first, I was nervous about going horseback riding because I was afraid of falling. Once I got on the horse, my nerves calmed down, and I had a great time. I learned how to hold the horse reins properly. I hope to horseback ride again soon and learn more about the care of horses. |
 | Magali -I was able to participate in a fun new experience, horseback riding. It was my first time getting on a horse, and I was nervous, but once I got on the horse, I felt more relaxed. I learned how to remove a horse saddle with the instructor's assistance. I enjoyed riding the horse on a trail; it was an adventure. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this opportunity |
 | Esperanza - I had a pleasant experience today, being able to ride a calm horse. It was my first time riding a horse; I was initially nervous getting on the horse, but after a few minutes, I felt more comfortable. I enjoyed horseback riding on the trail, and the scenery was beautiful. This experience taught me that horses can feel your energy and have buddies like us. I learned how to steer a horse and the maintenance that horses require. |
 | Anamaria - Horseback riding was a very peaceful experience; I am glad I got to ride a horse alone. Horseback riding was therapeutic for me. I've always wanted to go horseback riding on a trail, and I'm glad I finally had the opportunity to experience it. I could feel a connection with the horse; this experience opened my mind to exploring therapy with animals. I'm thankful for this opportunity. |
 | Valentina - I enjoyed going horseback riding for the first time. I learned how to ride a horse, how to steer a horse with reins properly, and how to remove a saddle of a horse. I was able to ride the horse on a long trail which was unexpected and relaxing. I would love more opportunities to go horseback riding so I can get more comfortable riding horses, as I hope to own a horse one day |
| Catherine - Today was my first time riding a horse, so I was nervous. I love horses, so I was looking forward to being able to get on a horse finally. I enjoyed horseback riding as it helped me relieve stress and focus on this peaceful experience. I hope to be able to come back and go horseback riding again, as well as learn more about the care of horses. |
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Session #7 - November 22, 2022 - Two hour session on the same day. Riding in the Arena after learning the basics |
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 | Alex -I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to horseback ride with your organization. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to escape from the stresses of everyday life and fully immerse myself in the beauty of nature. The horses were well-trained and the staff were knowledgeable and kind, making the ride both enjoyable and safe. I was able to relax and simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Wunderlich Park, taking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Horseback riding with your organization was a truly special and memorable experience that I will cherish for years to come. Once again, thank you for this amazing opportunity. |
 | Giovanny -On November 22th I had the great opportunity to go horseback riding in the Wunderlich County Park with the Sheriff's Activities League program. That is one of the days I will always remember as it was my first time riding a horse. My name is Giovanny Magana and I am a sophomore at Menlo and a part of the SAL program. The experience I had is unforgettable and riding alongside the friends I have made with the SAL program is something I will always be grateful for. I was given a horse named "Sparkle", one of the biggest horses with a beautiful white coat. I started by learning how to communicate with my horse using the reins, moving them left, right, or forward depending on where I would like to go. Other SAL members and I initially rode around in the arena getting comfortable with our horses and then maneuvering around cones without touching them. Then we moved on to riding in the gorgeous hills of the Wunderlich Country Park, I felt connected to the nature that surrounded me, and during that time, I was very enthusiastic to ask and learn more about horseback riding. So I asked one of the instructors that were with us about my horse Sparkle. I learned that sparkle spent many years in competitive horse riding and was one of the best horses. Also, I was very curious to find out more about the bond between us and the horses asking multiple questions, I found one of the more interesting things was that the ears of a horse can give us a lot of information on how it is feeling. For example, if the ears are pointed forward, that indicates a horse's concentration, being focused and alert to what is in front. The trail consisted of going up and back down a hill with tight spaces. Finishing the trail I got back to where we initially mounted the horses and said my goodbyes to sparkle. There I learned about brushing horses, and how to keep them clean and healthy with the variety of brushes that goes into maintaining a horse. Then we said our final goodbyes to the instructors who helped give me an experience that I will cherish. Leaving the site I reflected on the experience as a whole and came to the realization that I had not taken out my phone whether this was to capture photos or check the notifications on social media, I noticed there was no need to pull out my phone as I was enjoying riding sparkle and learning so much about the nature in our world. This is an experience that I believe many people should have at least once in their lifetime, I truly want to thank the instructors at the site, Mason Lok the Program Director, Luis Rangel the Program Coordinator that was with us, and the people who made such my experience possible, this opportunity wouldn't have happened without your help, thank you. |
 | Yasmin -Hi my name is Yasmin I wanted to say thank you for this opportunity to ride a horse I had a great first time. I was able to go on a trail with my assigned horse (Salem) it was a peaceful experience. Salem was a great horse she was patient and a little silly but I enjoyed riding with her. I also learned how to brush a horse/pony and about the different brushes you can use to brush a pony. My favorite part was when we did the obstacle course with the horses it was a little challenging at first but I got the hang of it in the end. I would also like to mention the trainers were both really nice and patient I was a bit nervous but they made me feel comfortable, safe and have fun at the same time. Overall this was a great experience and I'm thankful that I was able to learn how to ride a horse. |
 | Jennifer -Hello, my name is Jennifer Ortiz and I had the opportunity to go horseback riding for the very first time. When we arrived at the ranch, I was very nervous to ride a horse because I was afraid that I would fall down. Our instructors gave us a thorough explanation on how to use the reins on the horse which made me feel more comfortable. We did a couple laps around some cones to get a hang of the reins and to get to know our horses as well. After a couple laps around the cones, we were all ready and trained to go on the trail in the woods. It was very peaceful and I enjoyed having Lady as my horse as she is very responsive and friendly. I had a wonderful time at the ranch and I'm very thankful that I had the opportunity to ride a horse for the first time! |
 | Emily -Hi my name is Emily and I rode Warlock. From it being my first time riding a horse, I felt was quite comfortable. The trail ride was very pleasant and my favorite part. My horse was slow but the instructor and l got to know each other. I learned about the difference between a pony and horse. Also, after the trail was done we got to comb a pony. I really appreciate the opportunity because now I can say that I have ridden a horse. |
 | Caleb - Hi my name is Caleb and I enjoyed my time riding horses. It was really fun and cool to ride an actual horse since I've only ridden a pony when I was little. It was really awesome going through the woods on my horse and most of the time I felt like I was going to fall off my horse, especially when we were going down hill. I noticed that my horse likes their personal space so whenever the horse behind me got a little too close my horse would always turn around and get mad. When I was asking the instructor about the horses, she told me that some of the horses competed in actual horse competitions which I thought was pretty cool. Overall, I loved the experience and am grateful to those that made it happen. |
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Session #6 - November 10, 2022 - Two hour session on the same day. |
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 | Hade: I rode Sparkles. At first I was excited and a little nervous. Once we got on and took a few steps, I felt comfortable. However, my horse got spooked and bucked me off. But I brushed it off and got back on. I'm glad I got back on because the rest of the ride was really cool. I am very thankful for this new experience. |
 | Angel: I rode Warlock. I was very nervous when I found out that I would be riding a horse. This was my first time seeing a horse close up and also my first time riding. Warlock was very was nice and listened to the commands we learned. I practiced riding and commands in the arena and then got to ride on the trails. Other than being cold, the trail ride was very nice. hearing the trees rustle and the hooves hit the dirt was a nice experience. Thank you to those that made this opportunity happen. I am glad that my community gets to experience this program. |
 | Gabriela: I am 15 and I got on Saddie the horse. I don't really like animals and I am always so scared to be around them but that day was my chance to face my fears. When I first got on I was nervous because I thought I wouldn't be able to control my horse but the people from there showed me everything I needed to know about horses and how to make a bond with them. After a while of being on I felt really comfortable with the horse and I really enjoyed doing laps with Saddie. It was a really fun experience to get on a horse especially Saddie I hope I get the chance to go another day. |
 | Daniela: I'm a member of the Sheriffs activities league program. Recently, I got the opportunity to go horseback riding and got to get on a horse named Angel. At the beginning of the horseback riding, I had difficulty controlling Angel since it was my first time ever riding a horse. After a while of horseback riding, I finally got the hand of controlling the horse. My part of this whole fun experience was riding the horse inside the arena because I felt comfortable. Having the chance to ride a horse was a fun experience and I had so much fun attending. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. |
 | Ally -Ally: The horse I rode on is Erny. I was kind of nervous because I haven't rode a horse in a long time but I was mostly excited because I love horses so much. Erny was a really good horse I didn't have any trouble with him and he would listen to me when I needed him to go left or right or when I needed him to stop. |
 | Kimberly -Kimberly: I rode Sunday I enjoyed my time there. My friends and I went together I had so much fun to be able to ride a horse there. All the staff were so nice and helpful. I learned so much new things. I always like being around animals just being around all the horse made me so happy. I had so much fun. |
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Session #5 -October 13, 2022 - Two hour session on the same day. Walking in the Arena learning the basics |
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Group from Casa Circulo Cultural
Casa Circulo Cultural is a community-based multidisciplinary art non-profit, truly vibrant grass-root, dedicated to creating cultural programming reflective of the experiences of the Latino communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, while promoting leadership development for the whole family.
Alexander: I think the fieldtrip was fun and funny. Andreas horse was funny silly, scared, and crazy. Valentins horse was just slow. I really want to go again and ride sparkle.
Michelle: I liked the horse ride field trip. We went to ride horses and we got to go on a trail. The trail ride was fun because we got the horses and got to visit around. If I have a chance to go again I would love to go.
Andrea: When they told us we were going to go on a field trip I got nervous. When we got there I felt more nervous but when I got on the horse I was calm. My horse was getting too crazy but then I calmed him down. I had fun and I would like to go again.
Odalys: At first I was happy and wasn't scared but when I heard that we were going to ride the horse I got so nervous that I thought I was going to faint. But when I was going to ride the horse at first I was excited and at the same time nervous because I thought I was going fall from the horse but I didn't thank God. When I started to get a little confident I wasn't so scared anymore I was actually feeling calm. The ride was a very exciting experience for me. If there was another field trip. I would like to have Lucie again she was a very nice horse. If we have another chance to go again I would love my horse to be Lucie again.
Gael : I liked the field trip to Wunderlich Park because we were riding the horses. I liked it because the horse ran away. Another reason I liked the park was because when the horses were doing the bathroom and I died of laughter. I would love to go again.
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Session #4 - June 9, 2022 - Two hour session on the same day. Lining up in the Arena after learning the basics |
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 | Monica - Thank you for giving us the opportunity to go horseback riding!! This is definitely one my most memorable experiences. I got to meet sparkle who was a wonderful horse. When we first got there, I was nervous but after being introduced to sparkle and spending time with her, I felt a lot calmer and more comfortable. I learned that when riding a horse, you need to hold the reins with one hand while your other hand is on the horn of the saddle. I also learned that to get your horse to walk you need to move the reins forward and if that does not work your need to squeeze them lightly with the calves of your legs. For the horse to turn or walk to the left you need to move the reins forward and move them to the left and for the horse to turn or walk to the right you need to move the reins forward and move them to the right. And for the horse stop you need to move the reins towards your stomach. After being taught how to direct our horse, we went on a trail. I personally think that was the highlight of my day because I got to spend time with sparkle and enjoy the beautiful view of Redwood City that could be seen from the trail. Once again, I would like to thank you for the amazing opportunity you have given me. This experience is one I will never forget, and I would highly recommend horseback riding to everyone. |
 | Melissa -Thank you for a great experience. What an experience it is to ride a horse on my own with the help of the friendly staff. My horse's name was Warlock. Warlock was very gentle, and, with the help of the staff, I was able to overcome my anxiety of not being able to get along with the horse. It was so cool that I my friends and I got to experience this. I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all who made this happen. It will be something that I will never forget. |
 | Ruben - Thank you so much for the horseback riding, it was fun to ride a horse. My favorite part of this experience was going on the trail. It was really calming and was fun. The horse I was riding was called Sunday. The Horses and staff were all friendly. My favorite part was the trail ride. I will definitely ride a horse again if given the opportunity. Thank you to all who made this happen. I really do appreciate this opportunity |
 | Emely - Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to ride horses. Most of us, including myself, have not gone on a horse, so for us this was an exciting chance to get on a horse. I want to thank you for letting me meet my horse Lucie, who was a wonderful partner for this occasion. Lucie gave me such an amazing experience. The most fun for me was the trail, I got to ride Lucie for an hour. It was nice and refreshing to go through the trail. Once again thank you so much. |
 | Victoria - I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to have been able to ride a horse. This was the first time I had ever ridden a horse. I got to ride Angel which was a nice light brown beautiful horse. One of my favorite parts from this experience was when I got to go on the trail. I really hope other youth can have the chance to have this same experience because it may be something new to them. Again, I really appreciate getting this opportunity because I learned many new things such as how to control a horse and how to calm them down. |
 | Melissa - Hello! My name is Melisa. Thank you so much for this fun and exciting opportunity of horseback riding. This opportunity taught me a new skill of riding a horse. Personally, today was my first time riding a horse. I happily learned how to steer the horse. I rode Ernie and it was an amazing experience. Ernie was an amazing horse. Riding Ernie made me feel engaged and joyful. My favorite part was the trail because I enjoyed riding the horse up the mountains. I appreciate having this fun experience. I know that if this opportunity wasn't given to me, I would of never have gotten to ride a horse in my life. Thank you so much! |
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Session #3 - Mar 30, 2022 - Two hour session on the same day.. Lining up in the Arena after learning the basics |
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 | Alondra - This experience was so fun! Thank you so much for allowing us to be able to spend the day learning about the horses. Growing up, I had always been fond of horses so having the opportunity to ride one is a dream come true. I learned how to properly groom horses and also the different brushes to use. Additionally, I was able to learn how to ride and control the horses using the reins. The staff helping us were so nice and patient. My horses' name was Lucie and she was a very friendly horse. I thought it was funny how she would always want to be close to the other horses. Fortunately, Lucie was very cooperative which was relieving since it was my first time riding a horse. Overall, it was a very fun experience and I appreciate the opportunity. - Alondra |
 | Diana - I finally got to cross "riding a horse on my own" off my bucket list. I was nervous at first but through the guidance of trained workers, I felt safe and comfortable as soon as I met my horse, Ernie. I learned how to properly brush Ernie's mane and body with difference hair brushes. I also learned what the movement of their ears meant and how to recognize when your horse feels comfortable with you. If their ears are relaxed and listening forward, your doing everything right. I learned how to "drive" so that when we went on the trail, we were all aligned. By simply holding the reins and saying "whoa", Ernie recognized we were getting a bit too close to other riders. Riding Ernie under the trees, getting to viewpoints of Redwood City hearing the birds, and the trees rustle from the wind was not only peaceful but was so incredible. I recommend going because not only do you get to learn and experience riding horses for the first time, you experience an amazing opportunity. You make a new friends with the horses like I did with Ernie. I was excited before actually riding and was left astonished afterwards. I can now say that I have ridden a horse on my own and completed one of my bucket list items. - Diana |
 | Evelyn - Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to ride a horse for the first time. I learned a lot of new things about those beautiful horses and it was just such an amazing experience being there. I rejuvenated me and made my inner child very happy. I never to experience these things when I was younger so I'm just overall grateful for the experience. Its for sure a core memory that I'll remember forever. The trail ride was definitely my favorite part. - Evelyn |
 | Mia - Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity and privilege to ride a horse. It was so nice interacting with all of the horses and the workers. They were all so patient. I got to ride Annie and Blondie. They were both such nice and beautiful horses. Annie was a light brown horse. I really loved this experience riding a horse so again, thank you so much. - Mia |
 | Emily - Thank you so much for the beautiful opportunity you gave us. I had an amazing time learning how to ride and groom a horse. My favorite part of the experience that I will never forget was when we went on the trail with the horses. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I really hope other youth get a change to have this experience too. - Emily |
 | George - Thank you so much for allowing me to be able to go to this amazing opportunity. This was my first time riding a horse and I had a lot of fun. Being able to ride a horse in the woods and being taught different things about the horse was really exciting and I won't forget it. I learned how to brush, put on a saddle, and how to ride a horse. My favorite part was when we did the hour-long ride because I was able ride a horse in the woods. Thank you so much for this opportunity and I hope other kids are able to have the experience to ride a horse and have as much fun as I did. - George |
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Session #2 - Feb 25, 2022 - Two hour session on the same day. Lining up in the Arena after learning the basics |
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 | Thank you so much for allowing my peers and I to have the unique experience of horseback riding. It was such an amazing experience that was really fun. I had a great time. I really loved learning how to ride and meeting some of the beautiful horses. I especially enjoyed meeting my horse named "Lady". My favorite part was being able to go on the trail and learning to groom the horse. I remember how good the horse looked after grooming. This was definitely something that I can cross off my bucket list thanks to you. - Genesis |
 | Thank you so much for this beautiful and amazing opportunity. I had so much fun. My favorite part was when we rode on the trail. My horse "Angel" was such an angel. Angel was sweet, gentle, and fast. I never thought I would be able to ride a horse through the woods. I also enjoyed learning how to put a saddle on a horse. I didn't realize how much time went into to taking car of a horse. I truly am thankful for the opportunity. It was definitely a "once in a lifetime" experience. - Camilia |
 | I really enjoyed this opportunity. It was a very fun and amazing experience. I learned what it takes to care for a horse and was able to even ride a horse! This was my first time riding a horse so it was very special. I never thought that I would be able to ride a horse through the woods. I learned that my horse, Shasta, was best friends with one of the other horses because they would stay close to each other. Seeing how gentle and friendly these horses are was very interesting. Thank you for this experience! -Ashlee |
 | Thank you for the wonderful experience to ride horses. I was happy and could see that my friends who were riding that day were happy as well. I really liked my horse because it kept rubbing its head on the side of my leg. I hope other kids who get this opportunity to ride have as much fun as I did. -Perla |
 | Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to ride a horse. I really liked learning different ways to take care of the horses and how to ride. The nice walk through the woods was my favorite. My sister who was in the first session could not stop talking about how much fun she had. I was jealous at the time but happy that I got the opportunity to ride as well.-Desire |
 | To say my thanks for this favorable moment, is an understatement: I am so grateful that my peers and I were able to have this opportunity thanks to your generosity. I have felt new measures of happiness through this experience. my horse Angel was powerful and nice beyond belief. Once more, this was all made possible by your kindness, for which I am truly appreciative. - Gisell |
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Session #1 - Dec 20, 2021 - Day 1- Lining up in the Arena after a lesson in horse grooming, saddling and riding |
Sponsored by: Mounted Patrol Foundation |
Dec 21, 2021 - Day 2- Riding the Alambique Trail in Wunderlich Park
Notes from the youth that rode
 | I'm very happy I got to opportunity to experience to be around horses. I never knew how much care horses required. I also learned a lot of facts like the difference in English and Western Saddle and the different brushes for grooming. I also liked learning how to control the horse by using the rope. One thing that I found very surprising is that horses can't vomit! The crew that was helping us were very nice and patient. Being able to go on the trail with the horses was a very fun experience and the views were amazing. Being able to be a part of this experience was very fun and memorable. P.S. My horse's name was Shasta -Mariana |
 | For starters I want to give a huge thank you for providing me with the opportunity to have an amazing time. I enjoyed every aspect of my experience from learning how to treat and car for horses to the peaceful trail ride. There was never a dull moment. I was able to build a connection with my horse. I had an amazing time and would definitely do it again if I get the chance. Once again, I truly appreciate the work and effort put in for me to have a good time.-Destiny |
 | I've rode horses before but I never had the chance to ride on my own until today. At first when they told us we were going to ride on a trail I was really nervous but once we got on the trail, I started to get comfortable. I learned that horses aren't able to throw up which was pretty interesting. I would honestly rather ride a horse to get around than to be stuck in a car. If I were to have the opportunity to come back, I definitely would because I had a lot of fun. I would love to learn more about horses in the future. I'm very grateful for this opportunity and wish many other kids can have this experience as well. - Kassandra |
 | I am very happy I got the opportunity to experience how to take care of a horse and learn the difference between an English and Western Saddle. My favorite part about this experience was the trail ride. It was so relaxing and you really got to learn how to control your horse. Another thing I really enjoyed was just getting to know my horse. My horse "Annie" was a lot like me and that's what I loved about this experience. Annie loves to talk and is a little clumsy like me. Overall, I would like to thank everyone who made this opportunity happen for us. -Ariana |
 | This experience was wonderful once in a lifetime experience and I really appreciate everyone who made this possible. I really enjoyed learning how to ride a horse and how to take care of a horse. Thank you for an experience I will never forget.-Alex |
 | It was very fun to be able to learn about horses. I have never been around horses so I didn't realize how much actually goes into taking care of horses. My favorite part was learning how to mount and steer the horses around the cones. Thank you for the opportunity. It was really fun. -Samantha |
Background and goals of the Sheriff's Activity League
The goal of SAL is to guide the youth of San Mateo County towards their full potential through impactful programs, which foster relationships between deputies and their community.
Building the Bond between Deputies and Youth
All of the SAL programs have the overarching goal to build the bond between deputies, youth and their communities to foster positive interactions between law enforcement officers, youth and communities to build mutual trust, respect and relationships.
Health and Wellness
Our health and wellness programs, which include our sports and recreation programs as well as SAL Healthy Youth, combine education and hands-on activities to provide participants with opportunities to gain practical knowledge, skills and experiences that encourage healthy lifestyle habits with the goal of reducing juvenile diabetes and other related diseases.
Leadership Development and Mentoring
Our leadership and character development programs include our Teen Leadership Council, Empowering Young Women, Mentoring, and Early Stage Intervention and Diversion programs. These programs are aimed at building fundamental life skills, increasing self-confidence, teaching teen's leadership skills, and empowering youth to make a positive impact in their community and school.
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