Monterey County
Sheriff's Mounted Unit
What's New?

Nov. 19 and 20, 2004

The CALIFORNIA MOUNTED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL WORKSHOP will be Nov. 19 and 20. You can still register to attend, see the web page at www.californiamounted.org Also, CMOA is hosting a Great equitation class, instructed by Jerry Mayo of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The class will be held just outside of Paso Robles, and it is the weekend before, November 12,13 and 14. Jeff Goodwin is working with Billie Patrick (Yosemite Ranger) to host some training in San Benito County, and will invite us when it occurs.

Stacie

July 17, 2004

The SAR Team has asked the Mounted Unit to train with them on Saturday July 17th. This request was just confirmed on June 28th. Unfortunately, the 17th coincides with the one of the two days (17th and 18th) for the Salinas Rodeo Parade.

Regardless, we are a mounted search and rescue unit and we really need to attend this training. The training consists of a high angle rope rescue mission scenario, in which the mounted unit will be packing the rescue equipment into the area where the SAR Team will set-up and deploy their personnel.

The training location will be at Garland Ranch Regional Park located on Carmel Valley Road. Time to meet at the park is still yet to be determined (most likely around 1000 hours). We will be wearing our uniforms for this training and because of possible media attention and the fact that we will be in uniform representing our unit, members attending need to be qualified .

It can't be stressed enough how important this training is. The SAR Team is very anxious to train along side of us, and see how we perform in this type of mission.

More to follow...

Ron Willis

July 4, 2004

We have been requested, and it was just authorized (June 28th) to work/ride at Lake San Antonio North Shore on Sunday July 4th. Members are going to ride in the King City July 4th Parade and then drive down to the lake after. If interested, MU members are planning to ride in the afternoon (to be determined) until dusk. It will be left to the attending members how many trips out into the camps and what time(s) during the day they would like to ride. Any questions, please e-mail carronnie@tcsn.net

Respectfully,

Ron Willis

April 30 - May 2, 2004

As a reminder for those who are currently qualified, and interested in helping out at the Wildflower Triathlon & Festival this year, it's fast approaching. It will be Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 30, May 1 & 2. Friday is not a race day, and we are not normally needed for much, but the park allows us to arrive any time Friday so we can set up camp and ride around to re-acclimate ourselves to the area. Tom Shepherd, who is in charge of this event, has set aside the same camping area for us as before. FYI: There is no running water or electricity, but there are fire pits, BBQ's, tables, and he brings in a port-a-potty and a water trough for the ponies for the weekend (the potty's for us, not the ponies!:)). There are NO CORRALS, so please bring portable corrals (electric or otherwise) or be prepared to highline between your trailer and a tree (but there are only a few trees, and we usually all camp under them). You can attend any or all of these days, but Saturday is always the busiest. Risking sounding like a broken record, PLEASE email or call Ron or I if you can make it!! It is important that we get a head count for the rangers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or call.

Thanks, Carri

Dec 6, 2003 - Multi-Agency large scale mock search - Fort Ord (CANCELLED due to rain)

Our Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team (Monterey Station) is hosting a Multi-Agency large scale mock search incident on November 15th. We have been invited and for our new members, this will be the second time we have participated in this. The coordinators of this function have promised me that our mounted unit will be right in the "thick" (middle) of things this year. We will respond to the staging area by 0900 hours and three pre-designated members will respond to the command post for the briefing. Our unit will get it's search orders (search area and who and/or what we are looking for) and we will most likely have to drive our rigs to a another location.

We are going to meet at the Ord Market at the intersection of Imjin Road and Abrams(sp.?) Road at 08:30 hours. This is on Fort Ord. Imjin Road is off of Reservation Road, just south of Marina and north of Blanco Road.

We will be wearing our entire uniform for this event. If you have a uniform jacket, please bring it along because it may be a little chilly. If you want to wear a black turtleneck under your uniform shirt that is fine. Pack a lunch and please bring water for both you and your mount. If you have a compass and/or GPS, compact binoculars, whistle, and some kind of bag or pack for a sheriff's radio please bring them. If you don't have all of these items don't worry about it.

Just in case of any late arrivals, the staging area will be at the BLM Office on Fort Ord. If necessary, give me a call and I'll walk you through the directions to the BLM Office (somewhat complicated).

Any questions, comments or concerns please give me a call.

Ron Willis

Oct. 10-12, 2003 - Monterey County Sheriff's Mounted Unit - Annual Qualification

By my count, 23 members and a Deputy from San Benito county attended the weekend qualification. Six Board members and Ron Willis qualified on a second horse Sunday. Weather was great. Special thanks to Ed Bullard's wife and son for preparing the Saturday evening BBQ.

Note from Carri: Hi gang,

Just wanted to say a few things about the weekend while they were on my mind;

First off thank you SO much again for making the tremendous effort to come down, and especially to those who took off work to come down early and/or stay long! It is appreciated (including my hubby, who had to take OFF work to stay for Sunday!).

We had a great turnout, and with very little exception, the unit has become such a strong and even a really fun group of people...our horses and members are developing into a quality team! Something we should be proud of.

I believe that after the board, training committee, and Stacie get together in the very near future, we will notify you (if someone has not already) as to whether or not you have or have not passed qualification. I will be making up certificates again this year for the horse/rider teams who have qualified as soon as I get that list as well (please don't sweat it if you did not pass yet!). There will be a make-up qualification day in the not too distant future (the date has not yet been set) in case you are wondering.

I know I already thanked the training committee, but I have to do it again...Ron, Knute and Ed went out of their way, again, to plan this thing. The board helped only a little--the three of them really took over and did it themselves. But you guys did an outstanding job (again!), and we are lucky to have you!! Oh, and thanks, Wendy and Knute, for getting Capt. Barret again this year--he was, as always, a great addition to the weekend. I personally (and I know I'm not alone here!) look forward to the weekend clinic he will be offering in our neck of the woods soon!!
Carri

Jul 26-27, 2003 Search for missing person - in the area of Jolon and Nacimento Rd

On Saturday, Floyd, Meg and Janice responded and went out as the first team. Ronnie, Carri and Cindy Walker came later in the afternoon (as soon as they found their messages). Once everyone arrived they were directed to another starting point and all six went out again.

On Sunday Ronnie Carri, Cindy and Janice were there at 7:00 am. They trailered to yet another starting place and began our search from there. A little later in the morning Stacie, the Huggins and the Mendozas also responded and searched.

We sure covered a lot of miles in 2 days, but, sorry to say, the missing person was not found.With him being gone so long and having so little to go on makes it difficult. He MAY not even be out in that country we searched.

I feel we were treated VERY good by SAR and any law enforcement involved out there. Interestingly...the Red Cross van was at the staging area. Very nice guys. With fruit ,snacks, water and drinks, They gave Carri and I apples for our horses. :)

Janice

Aug 22, Aug 17, 2003 Sensory training - Posse Grounds 2 to 7 PM (followed by BBQ)

The Training Committee has planned to do a "sensory training day".

We will utilize the smaller arena at the Posse Grounds and have different sensory stations. Members can take their time and go through the different stations, spending more time at obstacles that their mount needs more attention in. Knute is in the process of making a bigger and better car wash and members are encouraged to bring whatever they can "round-up" as sensory items. I'm bringing flares, cones, barricades, really cool fireworks (confiscated stash from the 4th at the lake) and possibly a patrol car.

In addition to sensory, we have planned to do some formation movements in the large arena and possibly have Stacie warm us up with her flexation drills. This is the tentative plan so far.

July 4, 2003 Parade King City and or July 4-5, 2003 Ride at lake San Antonio

After the very successful King City 4th of July parade, Janice and I went straight to North shore, Lake San Antonio. As soon as we got saddled and changed back into our uniforms, we headed out to ride around all the campgrounds we could possibly fit in before it got too hot (about 3 hours!). As always, we were greeted by dozens of people, young and not-so-young, asking about out unit, the area, fireworks, and of course to pet the horses and take pictures.We then took a few hour lunch break/rest, then headed out again in the evening for another couple hour ride (LONG day for us and our horses!).

The next morning, Janice, Wendy, Knute and myself met out at the lake and again rode around for about 3 hours. It was far too hot to ride that afternoon, so we all just visited and swapped stories all day until Janice and the Brekke's had to get home. In the meantime, after Ron got off work, he came over to join in the "fun". He and I rode out at 6:30 pm, when it finally got down to 95 degrees. Since the evening was so nice we stayed out on our horses visiting people, getting the horses' pictures taken with kids, and didn't get home till nearly 10:00pm. It was an exhausting two days, but LOTS of fun, excellent PR for the Mounted Unit as well as the Sheriff's Office, and our ponies got great workouts! :-)
Carri

June 29, 2003 Equitation training by Stacie - Posse Grounds, Salinas (Please RSVP - Stacie)

WHY THE HORSES BACK MUST BE STRETCHED...
The Why and How to stretch your horse forward and down to be able to raise his back.

June 22nd - Map and Compass Training - Mott Ranch, Greenfield

The following members attended the training.

Wendy & Knute, Jim & Judith Huggins, Ron and Carri, Janice and her hubby Ron, Judy smith, Mike and Diana Mendoza, Ed and his wife, Nan, and Carole and Sue. The location was the Mott ranch in Greenfield, and we were able to ride there because Janice obtained permission from the owner of the ranch. Thanks Janice and the training committee.

May 2-4, 2003 Wildflower Lake San Antonio

Hi everyone,

I wanted to touch base with all of you (qualified members) who showed an interest in volunteering as "Mounted Ranger Assistance" this upcoming weekend. First off, yes, Wildflower is rain or shine, and volunteers are needed in either case. If you are still interested, please let me know asap, and give me your t-shirt size if you didn't before. I know I sent around a sign up list at the last meeting, but I have had a few members cancel, and a few others now think they might make one day or two, so here's the scoop again:

The "gig", if you will, starts Friday May 2nd and goes through Sunday May 4th. The biggest day (i.e. we need more riders) is Saturday. The Park is allowing us to arrive Friday anytime, as well as camp for free (duh!). However they recommend not arriving between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm Saturday, or 9:00 am and 2:30 pm Sunday as the roads will be closed intermittently during those times to allow the competitors access on Interlake and Jolon roads. (Friday is not a race day, so you can get through anytime--even if it's late at night!) Ron and I will arrive Friday, mid-morning.

To further confuse things, you may join us any of the days and camp either Friday or Saturday, or both nights. If you plan on arriving Saturday or Sunday morning, please be early as we ride out of camp early enough to wake up the Cal Poly kids before 8:00 am each day. OH, and there are no facilities to stable your pony, so please bring portable corrals or be prepared to highline (there are a few trees in the campsite).

On a different note; I am going to make chili & cornbread Saturday night (the deputies working at the lake will be joining us for dinner), and I will make enough for all who wants some--so please let me know if you want to partake, so I have enough beans!!! :-)) Also, we are bringing a tent that is basically a screen all the way around, that I think is waterproof, so we can hang out and eat in there if it's raining.

Again, please email or call me to let me know if you will be coming, asap.

Thanks,
Carri

February 23, 2003 - Qualification, training - Posse Grounds

  • 09:30-10:00 Independent warm up (optional)
  • 10:00-10:30 Formation exercise ON FOOT (leave your horse tied up). Explanation of movements with members on foot, going through the motions.
  • 10:30-11:15 Tack Inspection - Formation training on horseback - Color Guard (optional)
  • 11:15-12:00 Pedestrian Contacts
  • Consensual Contacts,Verbal "Judo" up to physical contacts
  • Triangulation with horses, including barrier objects when dealing with or confronted by an aggressive subject.
  • 12:00-13:00 Lunch
  • Lecture--on being a good witness i.e. getting an accurate description of subjects and or vehicles;
  • Radio Communication: 1) Ten Codes 2) Abbreviated Language 3) ***BASIC RADIO ETIQUETTE***
  • 13:00-1400 Sensory Course
  • 14:00-Finish Remaining Qualification Requirements--if you have any more things to check off for Qualification (and you and your horse are PREPARED to complete them), this will be the time to do it.

    The training committee has worked very hard on this training day, so PLEASE participate if you can. It is the only remaining scheduled "make up" Qualification day until October, when we will have our annual qualification weekend at Lake San Antonio. EVEN if you and your partner (horse) have already qualified for the 2003 year, PLEASE come to this training! There will be lots of other stuff besides Qualification make up! And we never can have too much training!! Oh, and please bring your lunch! :)

    Thanks,
    Carri

    2/21/2003 7:27:30 AM

    Dear Mounted Unit personnel,

    The mounted Unit is currently prohibited from doing "enforcement type" training at this time, by memo from Captain Derbyshire following a conversation he had with Sheriff. The training syllabus has gone out for this Sunday, and looks great. Unfortunately, some of the training includes law enforcement type skills. That part of the training will need to be adjusted. I hate to do this, the training looked great to me! I thought I had let the training committee know about these restrictions. Please see me with your comments/concerns! I will be there on Sunday.

    Stacie

    • Feb 22, 2003 - Search for missing pig hunter - Fort Hunter Liggett

    Monterey county Herald 2/23/03

    LOS PADRES - Man located after being lost in wilderness searching for dogs

    A Salinas man who got lost in the wilderness searching for his dogs emerged from the forest Saturday after being missing for a day. Steve Rose, 45, found his way back to the Santa Lucia trailhead on Saturday afternoon, Monterey County Sheriffs Sgt. John DiCario said. Rose had set out at 4 a.m. Friday, driving to the trailhead with his remaining dog for a fourth day of searching for two hound dogs he lost on Feb. 17 in the forest near Fort Hunter Liggett Rose called his wife on his cell phone about 6 p.m. Friday to tell her he was lost, out of water and had suffered a dog bite, DiCario said. Rose's family and rescuers then lost cell phone contact with him. He told authorities that he spent the night in an area between Pine Canyon and Reliz Canyon where he found some water. He said he began hiking again Saturday morning, enduring tough terrain and crawling through heavy brush. Rose lost his third hound dog in the ordeal. However, he did not request medical attention. The sheriffs search and rescue team has been searching the area with dogs, a mounted unit, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.

    Camera shy, Janice took the photo.     		Carri, Ed and Jim Cronin were in the field (there was a rumor that the resident Federal police officer got them lost for a while) We had a long delay while trying to get permission to cross private property (which we never did get) In the end, the lost hunter was found or he found his father-in-law who was driving the roads in the area. The subject was found before those in the attached photo took their horses out of the trailer - are we good or what!

    Feb 8, 2003 - Callout - Missing person search - Garland Park, Carmel Valley

    The mounted unit has been requested for Saturday morning search for a lost woman. Meet at Garland Park, on Carmel Valley Road near Los Laureles Grade. Meet at 07:30 hours in the morning (2/8). Garland park is set up for horses and hikers. The parking lot is very large, and the eastern end of the lot is set up specifically for horse trailers. The missing woman is schitzophrenic and paranoid. She is off her medications and has been missing for 3 days. Her car was found today (2/7) at Garland park lot. A neighbor reports seeing the car there for 2 days. A search was started Friday evening at 7 p.m. CHP helicopter was also used, with negative results

    Stacie

    UPDATE: 5 riders from the Mounted Unit joined the search. Subject spotted & rescued by CHP chopper approx 10 AM Saturday morning.

    First hand report from Carri:

    Janice, Wendy, Knute, Cindy and myself were the volunteers who made the search. Cindy's horse was losing 2 shoes, and didn't notice till she started getting her ready. so Cindy walked with a SAR volunteer for the search. she was probably a lot more sore than all of us were! :-)

    Janice and Stacie rode the "high" trail, mainly because the three of us have very out of shape horses, and didn't want to go that way. They responded to the helicopters location when the helicopter found her, and Janice had to hold horses, giz, for 2 hours while Stacie talked to the "victim" (didn't want to get in the helicopter! very paranoid!!!!!)

    Meanwhile, Knute, Wendy and I were doing a grid search in a huge meadow about halfway up the mountain when they found the woman. We waited there (thank goodness there was a hitching post and a bench) for Janice, so she would not have to ride down alone if Stacie sent her down the hill. It was a great place for us to have our lunch! Under different circumstances, it would have been a great ride! The weather was OK, once it got above freezing!! and the scenery was beautiful!!! plus the company was great too! :)

    The Monterey County Herald – Feb 9, 2003 - Missing woman rescued in remote area of park

    A search team rescued a mentally ill woman from a remote section of Garland Park on Saturday after she had been missing for several days.

    Alison Brucato, 40, of Carmel Valley was spotted by a California Highway Patrol helicopter about 10 a.m. She was taken to Natividad Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.

    "She was in a remote area of that park. If it wasn't for the helicopter, we might not have found her," said Sgt. John DiCarlo of the Monterey County Sheriffs Office. "Physically she seemed okay. Of course she was hungry and thirsty."

    Brucato's mother reported her missing on Tuesday. Her Honda Civic was spotted parked at Garland Park on Friday evening. The sheriffs office sent out search dogs and a team on horseback, the Carmel Valley Fire Department deployed a special all-terrain vehicle, and the CHP sent out its helicopter, which spotted Brucato in a clearing at the top of a ridge, DiCarlo said.

    "The fact she didn't have any food or water with her and being up that high, she could have very well died up there," DiCarlo said. "Especially at nighttime when it got very cold. Lucidly she had a coat"

    Some members of Brucato's family assisted with the search. One of her brothers hiked up to the top of the ridge to help convince her to get into the helicopter, DiCarlo said.

    Brucato was too disoriented to tell authorities anything about her ordeal, he said.

    Feb 2, 2003 - FUN RIDE - Fort Ord

    Members,

    If you are not planning on riding on the fun ride tomorrow, you may safely delete this message.

    If you are riding, we will meet at the Ord Market on Imjin Rd at 11:00am. Due to the confusing streets at Ft. Ord I felt it easiest to meet there and then caravan to the parking area.

    Directions to Ord Market: Make your way to Reservation Rd. either from Hwy. 68 or from the city of Marina (depending on where you are coming from). Take Reservation Rd. to Imjin (large intersection w/stop lights). Turn south onto Imjin (into Ft. Ord). The Market is about half a mile on your left. We will have our cell phone on. Call if you have any problems. (831) 595-7571

    Hope to see you there,

    Knute and Wendy

    Well, here we go...into another New Year! I wish the very best time of your life to each of you.
    Hope you enjoy my little New Year poem. - Janice Gilbertson

    Bless Ya For Takin' the Ride

    Tie up a knot in your wildrag* and snug the slide on your windstrings* and head into life at a lope!
    Take down your lariat and shake out a loop and catch ya both horns full of hope!

    Blaze a new trail to the mountain top and always look ahead and not back.
    Breath deep of horsesweat and wildflowers and mossy creek-banks and hardtack.

    Sit by your fire with people with hearts and share all your beans and your dreams.
    Throw your worrys to the North wind and watch 'em go by on the South.It's never as bad as it seems.

    Lay out on the earth, snug in your bedroll and let your eyes fill up with stars.
    Let the man-in-the-moon play ya a tune, and watch Venus Texas Waltz with Mars.

    Fill up your saddlebags or even your paniers* with kindness and fairness and deeds.
    Then leave some of them off for a neighbor or friend or even a stranger with needs.

    Pick your best horse and summon your guts and sit your saddle with pride!
    Love every minute and everything in it, and Bless ya for takin' the ride!

    JG
    Dec 2002

    *wildrag-silk neck scarf
    *windstring-hat string that goes under the chin
    *paniers-large boxes on a pack animal that carry goods

    December 28, 2002 - Mounted Unit Holiday Party

    Fourteen members and a number of guests braved the nasty weather (and power failure) to attend this years party. Good food, nice company and the white elephant gift exchange was a lot of fun. Many thanks to Ron & Carri for cutting their family re-union short and coming home early to host the party.

    November 23, 2002 - Unit Training & Qualification Make-up photo highlights

    October 24, 2002 - Sheri has agreed to begin production of a monthly newsletter

    Oct 18-20, 2002 - Horseworld - annual horse training/qualification weekend photo highlights
          Welcome              Itinerary and Qualification checklist/requirements

    Sept 17, 2002 - Newly elected officers for 2002-2003

    August 24, 2002 - Training at Lake San Antonio

    July 27, 2002 - Fun ride Salinas River beach - Ron & Carri, Jancie and a friend of Meg rode.

    July 20-21, 2002 - Salinas rodeo parade - three riders on Saturday and one on Sunday

    July 4-6, 2002 - 4th of July weekend security at Lake San Antonio

    July 4, 2002 parade in King City

    June 27, 2002 Hollister parade

    May 25-26, 2002 - Memorial Day weekend security at Lake San Antonio - Report by Cecil

    May 9, 2002 - Uniform option approved by the Board and Sheriff

    April 27, 2002 - ride out at HORSE WORLD

    April 16, 2002 MSU meeting

    March 29, 2002 - Night training exercise - Report by Stacie McGrady

    March 23, 2002 - Map and Compass Training - Report by Carri Willis