RDM riders Jacqueline Beck (L) and Mackenzie Lyttle (R) with Anne Speck

In February 2008, these dedicated riders earned positions on the U.S. World Cup Saddle Seat 3-Gaited Team and U.S. World Cup Saddle Seat 5-Gaited Team, respectively.  Anne is honored to Coach the 5-Gaited Team when both teams compete in September 2008 in Tulbagh, South Africa.  JJ & Mackenzie were chosen of the elite saddle seat riders across the country in an application process which included riding try-outs and interviews at William Woods University in Fulton, MO.  There are 5 members of each team, plus an alternate.  Go Teams USA!

NOTE:  Further updates for 2008 and 2007 coming soon!

2006 was a fun and exciting year for all Rancho Del Martian families, and we are looking forward to a great 2007!   

      During 2006, the Youth worked hard to promote Saddlebreds and Morgans, involving their friends, family and people in the community with RDM activities. While maintaining busy show schedules, everyone gave their time and energy to fundraisers to support the Youth Group and raise money for an annual donation to charity.

      The RDMartians Youth Group submitted a wonderful 2006 scrapbook to the ASHA Youth Association, highlighting the dedicated riders and all the 2006 activities. The Rancho Del Martians were outstanding in all sections: community service, promoting the breed, horse shows and fundraisers. 

      The Girl Scout program is a great opportunity for Youth Group Members to get involved with community service, all while helping others learn about Saddlebreds and Morgans. We had over 100 Girl Scouts come to RDM in 2006, which would not have been possible without dedicated students volunteering their time and knowledge to share something special and valuable with others. 2007 promises to be just as busy and rewarding for helpful Youth Group volunteers.

      Fundraisers are another time when the RDMartians show what they’re made of! Out major fundraisers this year included bake sales and the annual RDM Fun Day. With the help and dedication of friends, family and Youth Group members, we raised over $900 in 2006! The Fun Day is held annually (the 2007 date is set for May 19^th), and offers a chance for family, friends and members of the community to come ride and learn about Saddlebreds and Morgans. Bake sales are generally held during local horse shows, and are organized, supplied and run entirely by Youth Group members with all homemade goods. Another great fundraising opportunity is RDM’s “riding clothes exchange”. Family and friends of RDM donate their used riding apparel for upcoming riders to purchase, with the proceeds going to support the Rancho Del Martians Youth.

      Fundraisers allow the group to participate in fun activities and make donations to various charity organizations.  In 2006, fund raisers made it possible for the Youth Group to take members to Night of the Horse, as well as funding snacks and supplies for meetings and the scrapbook. Perhaps the largest project made possible by Youth Group fundraisers was the making of parade costumes, by dedicated family members. The costumes were spectacular, and we were awarded first place in the Escondido Jaycees Annual Christmas Parade, as well as being an outstanding entry in the Valley Center Western Days Parade. This would not have been possible without the support of RDMartians and their families. 

 In additions to fun activities, fundraising also enables the Youth Group to make annual charity donations. This year we donated about $500 to various organizations. In 2006, our charities included the Helen Woodward Therapeutic Riding Center, the Humane Society of the United States, for Hurricane Katrina Relief, and the Rojas Family Fund.

      Many of the Rancho Del Martians not only spent incredible time and effort supporting the Youth Group and promoting the Morgan and Saddlebred, but also received National Championships and Reserve National Championships representing both breeds. 

      At the 2006 Morgan Grand Nationals, Ariana Corrigan won the Senior Saddleseat Equitation Championship and the AMHA Saddleseat Gold Medal. Mackenzie Lyttle was Reserve World Champion Classic Saddle Seat Equitation and made the top ten UPHA Senior Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals. Other RDM riders at the Grand Nationals who won National Championships or Reserve National Championships were Cheyenne Banks-Diaz, Tayler Walters, and Taylor Sams.

      RDMartians also displayed excellence with their American Saddlebreds in 2006. At the National Pleasure Horse Finals, Natalie Armstrong-Grunnan was the Reserve Champion in the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals. At the American Royal, Jacqueline Beck captured the National Championship in the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Finals and later went on to capture the Reserve Champion NHS Good Hand Finals and was Top Ten in the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Finals.  

      2006 has been a busy, but fun-filled year, and everyone at RDM is looking forward to an exciting 2007. With the show season coming up, and a number of Girl Scout Troops already booked, the Youth Group members will be spending plenty of time promoting their wonderful horses. Our fundraising gets underway at the Spotlight Horse Show in April with our first bake sale, and continues with our Annual Fun Day on May 19^th. This summer, many of the RDMartians will participate in RDM’s day camps—offered three weeks this summer in between horse shows. 2007 will see active, hard-working Rancho Del Martians, having fun while promoting the American Saddlebred and the Morgan horse.