As Santa Barbara begins to return to a more normal life after the pandemic, the Santa Ynez Valley Riders (SYVR) are helping provide some open-air, family fun this summer.
SYVR is a riding club dedicated to the enjoyment of trail riding and is open to all breeds of horses and styles of riding. SYVR offers opportunities for individuals and families to bring their horse and trail ride on some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast area.
They invite anyone who shares a love of horses to join them for fun and unique trail riding in time for the summer.
After months of having no events scheduled, SYVR’s first ride following the pandemic shut-down, will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 17 at Mission La Purisima in Lompoc.
Membership with SYVR is required to participate in the rides, and starting in July, and for the remainder of the year, membership dues are reduced to half price. Dues go to help fund their efforts to keep Live Oak Trail and other area trails safe for all.
“We are thrilled to have our group rides back after the pandemic forced all of our events to be cancelled,” said Kathy Rosenthal, Santa Ynez Valley Riders president. “These rides are so important to our members and organization and starting back up with the Mission La Purisima ride is a perfect way to get our horseback riding community together again.”
SYVR promote equine legislation, good horsemanship and address the need for acquisition and preservation of safe trails. Trail rides last three to five hours over private ranches well-known in the county’s history, as well as in Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara County Parks such as Live Oak Camp, the latter in which SYVR partners with to raise funds for improvements like replacement picnic tables and other amenities.
Riders typically arrange to meet at the trailhead. SYVR stresses safe riding practices on all rides.
All SYVR meetings, trail rides and events are announced via member email around the first of each month.
To learn more, visit santaynezvalleyriders.org/.