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THE HISTORY OF THE FILLIES
It all began in 1993 with nine SY Valley horsewomen (Chris Burns, Ann Chamberlin, Audrey Griffin, Claire Hanssen, Paula Hunsicker, Julie Morrell, Alice Olla, Diana Stetson, Sue Vasek) gathered around Paula Hunsicker’s kitchen table. We wanted to create a women’s riding group that would include several horse breeds, have a large membership, and provide multiple rides per year on the magnificent private ranches of our beautiful Central Coast.
Unlike other riding clubs whose Board of Directors plan and produce events, we wanted all Fillies members to share the responsibility of hosting rides and empowered them with full creative license to plan events. To be an active club, with hopefully monthly trail rides, we required three rides per year to retain membership.
Most importantly, we wanted to establish trusting relationships with local ranch owners to be welcomed on their magnificent private ranches.
Those two goals were the centerpiece of writing our by-laws, submitting necessary paperwork and securing insurance. Next, we carefully and respectfully reached out to ranch owners for permission to ride on their beautiful land.
The founders also shared a safety first perspective when establishing our trail riding rules and etiquette. We decreed all guests would be assessed by their riding ability, and the compatibility of their horses on group rides. We were sticklers and through the years make the hard call to not allow horses to participate again if they were difficult or dangerous. We owed it to the membership and the ranch owners. Nothing spoils a day in the saddle like a sour horse!
In 1994, our first ride was hosted by founder, Alice Olla, on Santa Barbara Thoroughbred Ranch and we had 50 riders. Sandy Simon and Susie Simpson put on the first ride at Webster Ranch and consecutive years for more than a decade. Pete Kern and Susie Hanson offered the inaugural ride on Hanson Ranch and Sandy Simon continued that tradition for 28 of the last 30 years. Ranch owners, Don and Susie Hanson, have been present at every one of them enjoying the camaraderie and lunch.
For 30 years, we’ve enjoyed a variety of events, mostly trail riding lovely ranch terrain teaming with wildlife. But, our creative membership also hosted overnight camp-outs, beach rides and how-to clinics to advance skills in backing up horse trailers, cutting, sorting, gymkhana events, trail courses, dressage, roping, reining maneuvers, and veterinary seminars. All things horsewomen love to do with like-minded members and their treasured horses.
The remaining active founders are Claire, Paula, Alice and Sue. Inaugural active members; Tina Carroll, Karen Jenkins, Lynn Kirst, Sandy Simon and inaugural social members; Leigh Layman, Sherry Musgrove, Susie Simpson have hosted rides and/or served on the Board of Directors.
Our club has evolved and changed a bit over the years, but the basic principles have remained true to the original vision. We remain grateful to our ranch owners and all those who have served faithfully for the longevity of the Fillies.
Paula Hunsicker
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