Backcountry Horsemen of California

Backcountry Horsemen of California is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving backcountry wilderness, protecting stock users’ historic use of the wilderness and educating the public about gentle, “Leave No Trace” wilderness use. We are a 501(c)4 organization, which means donations to BCHC Mid Valley are not tax-deductible. The Mid Valley Unit is based in Modesto. See our Affiliate Links page for our neighbors and the state web site.

Visit our calendar to see what we’ll be doing in the next few months. See our recent event and ride activities here for pictures of recent activities.

October, 2026

Hello everyone!

It’s hard to believe we’re already heading into November! This year has certainly flown by, and our unit continues to stay busy with trail rides, work projects, community events, and everything in between. As far as my busy life goes, we have had a very hectic past few months and things have finally slowed down a bit.

A big “thank you” to Jim and Chris Westmoreland for continuing to coordinate the monthly trail rides. I also want to recognize everyone who helped represent our unit at the Denair Farm and Family Festival. The Dutch oven samples were a hit, and events like these are a great opportunity to introduce our organization to the community.

Members helping with work parties in the backcountry have been addressing some water system issues at Pine Valley Horse Camp and are looking into future repairs and improvements. There are also plans to do some maintenance at Kerrick Corral. I appreciate everyone who continues to volunteer their time and effort to maintain these camps as best we can. Continuing to maintain access to beautiful places like these is a huge part of what our organization stands for.

Looking ahead, the Columbia All Equestrian Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 13th. Volunteers are being requested to help with parking, so please consider lending a hand if you’re available. Also, don’t forget about the BCHC State Lucky Calendar Fundraiser! Kathy Zumbrunn has raffle tickets/calendars available for $25, with plenty of opportunities to win throughout the year.

As we head into the holiday season, I hope everyone finds a little time to slow down, enjoy the Fall weather, and spend time with family, friends, and, of course, our four-legged friends. Thank you all for another great month, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings!

Happy Trails!

Barbara Riner