Mt. Diablo Trail Ride group founded for the love of horses
CONCORD, CA (May 31, 2022) — I had the honor of sitting with three board members of the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association to learn about the organization.
Jeannine O’Neill, vice president; Chris Barnhart, treasurer; and Tracey Mattson, secretary; taught me all about the association, which was formed in 1941.
Ray Walsh and George Smith were enthusiastic about a Sierra Nevada competition trail ride they had taken part in and were disappointed when they learned there was not another one planned. On their way home to Concord, they discussed their unique experience and decided that Concord was a perfect place for a similar competition.
Back then, many residents of Concord kept horses in their backyards. Many of them were also Chamber of Commerce members. George and Ray introduced the idea of having a competitive trail race from Concord to Mount Diablo State Park. The chamber was delighted and sponsored the first official competitive trail ride.
Vineyards and orchards
Eighteen participants rode along Clayton Road, which became stretches of vineyards and then walnut, pear and almond orchards. After they reached the town of Clayton, they were directed to Black Diamond Road and went on to the old mining towns of Nortonville and Summersville. From there, they went across cattle ranches in Oil Canyon and came out at the Marsh Creek springs; this was the lunch stop.
Refreshed, they mounted their horses and rode over the prison farm property to Sycamore Springs and on up to Barbecue Terrace. It was a rugged test of endurance for both the riders and horses.
After a delicious barbecue, there were songs and stories around the fire and then they rolled up in their sleeping bags.
Come sunrise, they retraced their steps – ending up at the old Pacheco Adobe. An evening banquet at Joe and Isabel DeRosa’s hotel honored the 14 contestants who finished the race.
Social club
In 1942, the trail ride was held in September with 30 riders. Forty riders competed in 1943, and there were 50 entries in 1944.
By then, the Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association was beginning to officially form as a not for profit social club with 70 members. In 1945, they added special events to the race day – a parade, stock horse classes, quarter horse races, musical chairs, and flat saddle and jumping classes. The grand entry in special events increased to 200 participants.
The association had property on Bisso Lane, with rodeo space, barns and horses. As time went by, George Cardinet and Joe DeRosa established many trails on Mt. Diablo. They were always riding on lower Diablo and looking for land. In 1960, they found the perfect place for the organization’s new location: 500 untouched acres of rugged rocky hillside.
They brought in bulldozers and put up the first barn with stalls for the annual trail ride. They selected sites for the clubhouse and swimming pool and carved arenas out of the mountain below the clubhouse.
Preserving the land
The latest accomplishment is that Save Mount Diablo paid to preserve the land in perpetuity, but it is still owned by the trail ride association. They have 21 stalls, two barns, three arena rings, two round pens and, of course, the clubhouse and pool.
The hidden gem is off Russelmann Park Road in Clayton. They have stalls available for rent, and membership is $50 a month to have access to the trails, clubhouse and pool.
Don’t miss this little piece of heaven in our own backyard. Visit CMDTRA.org for more information.
Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and past president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.
Carol Longshore
Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and past president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics.