2008 Saddle Seat World Cup Team members and lifelong RDM riders Jacqueline Beck (L) and Mackenzie Lyttle (R) with Anne Speck, coach of the 5-gaited team, Silver Medalists from the World Cup competition in Tulbagh, South Africa in September 2008.

2009 was another fun and exciting year for all Rancho Del Martian families, and we are looking forward to the new year and more fun with horses!

      This year the Youth have 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 activities and raise money for record donations to their charitable causes.

      The RDMartians Youth Group submitted a wonderful scrapbook to the ASHA Youth Association early this year, highlighting the dedicated riders and all 2008 activities. The Rancho Del Martians were outstanding in all sections: community service, promoting the breed, horse shows and fundraisers.  The 2009 scrapbook promises to be even better!

      The Girl Scout program is a great opportunity for Youth Group Members to earn community service hours, all while helping others learn about Saddlebreds and Morgans.  We had 230 Girl Scouts visit RDM in 2009, which would not have been possible without our dedicated Youth volunteering their time and knowledge to share something special and valuable with others.  Samantha Lyttle, president of the RDMartians Youth suggested an event early in the year to promote our wonderful horses and programs to large groups of Girl Scouts at one time.  Hands on Horses was born -  it was so successful that after setting the date of October 24, 2009, we reached our maximum of 90 girls and had to turn away 50 - 60 girls.  With a very smooth event, we added a 2nd date that was attended by most of the scouts who couldn't attend the first time.  In total, 153 girls and almost as many parents visited the ranch for Hands on Horses and 76 others earned requirements for the Horse Fan and Horse Rider badges!  2010 promises to be just as busy and rewarding for helpful Youth Group volunteers and will definitely include at least a couple more Hands on Horses events!

      Fundraisers are another time when the RDMartians show what they’re made of! Our major fundraisers this year included bake sales and the annual RDM Fun Day.  Additionally, a special fund raiser was held in the spring with the generous donation by Kim Howell of Twisted Tails in Raeford, North Carolina of a custom horse hair bracelet.  Valued at $145, the Youth raised almost $600 selling raffle tickets, enabling a special mid-year donation of $250 to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, CA and a summer field trip to the Wave for the group.  The Fun Day is held in mid May 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 show and growing riders to purchase at deep discount prices for lessons and shows, with all 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 2008, fund raisers made it possible for the Youth Group to have their first  games on horseback event/overnight party at the ranch, as well as funding snacks and supplies for meetings, parades and the scrapbook. Perhaps the largest project made possible by Youth Group fundraisers was the making of parade costumes by dedicated family members. The "Lil' Saddler" costumes were spectacular, and we were awarded first place in the Escondido Jaycees Annual Christmas Parade in 2006 and earned the President's Award for our  outstanding entry in the Valley Center Western Days Parade in 2008. Our very own Lil' Saddlers were in full regalia again at the 2009 Escondido Holiday Parade, winning first place honors for marching groups! 

 In addition to fun and educational activities, fundraising also enables the Youth Group to make annual charity donations. This year they donated a total of $771, allotted to the Helen Woodward Animal Center, American Saddlebred Horse Association basket bonanza event, American Saddlebred Rescue, Inc. in New Jersey and REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program in nearby Fallbrook, CA.

      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 earned World and National Championships and Reserve National Championships representing both breeds.  At the 2009 Morgan Grand Nationals, Tayler Walters was crowned 14 - 15 year old saddle seat equitation champion, while also earning Top Ten honors in the  AMHA Saddleseat Gold Medal and Senior UPHA National Finals.   Angie Berning  reigned victorious as the Junior UPHA National Champion and Junior Saddle Seat Equitation World Champion while Claire Brownie was 12 - 13 year old saddle seat equitation champion and Reserve World Champion Junior Saddle Seat Equitation.  Fellow barnmates Amelia Coomber and Cheyenne Banks-Diaz were also Top Ten in their respective UPHA Finals and Amelia also took home the Classic Saddle Seat Equitation World Championship, besting many older riders. RDMartians also displayed excellence with their American Saddlebreds on a national level in 2009.  At the Kentucky State Fair American Saddlebred World Championship Horse Show, Natalie Robinson earned Reserve World Champion 9 - 10 year old Walk/Trot Saddle Seat Equitation and another great Reserve in the 9 - 10 year old Walk/Trot World Grand Championship.

            2009 has been a busy, but fun-filled year, and everyone at RDM is looking forward to an exciting 2010. With the show season complete and Girl Scout troops already reserving for next year, the Youth Group members will be spending plenty of time sharing their knowledge of our wonderful horses. 

            2010 will begin with the Youth celebrating another great year with their 2nd Annual Slumber party at the ranch, participating in games with horses, movies, horse shows on foot and pancake breakfast in mid January.