Dear MCHS Community,

We hope under the current circumstances that all is well with you, and that you and your families are safe and healthy.

We regret to inform you that due to the current realities and future uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Menlo Charity Horse Show is cancelled.

As the COVID-19 situation emerged and its scope and impact on daily life expanded rapidly, we have all struggled to understand what it means not only for our immediate well-being, but also for our current and future plans. Menlo is no exception. Similar to any organization working to understand the viability of upcoming sport and recreational events, we immediately began a process of information gathering and investigation. The primary factors we evaluated were guidance provided by USEF and California state and local governments, consideration of our timeline and when a go / no-go decision must to be made irrespective of how complete and reliable the available information is, and speculation on what kind of show Menlo might be if we were to hold it under some version of the social restrictions we are all currently experiencing.

This decision was very difficult, but ultimately, very clear; it is difficult to suspend the show we all love and support with so much passion - especially in what would have been our 50th anniversary year, but in the end - the absolute priority is the safety, security and health of our Menlo family: our Committee, Exhibitors, Trainers, Sponsors, Spectators, Vendors and Volunteers who come together to make Menlo the premiere equestrian event it is, and to raise critically important funds for Vista Center.

And to that end - there is still a very vital mission for us this year. The burden of this decision falls hard on many, but none more than Vista Center. The resulting loss of funding MCHS typically provides directly impacts their ability to provide essential services to the blind and visually impaired community. The loss to Vista and to their clients who need them now more than ever is potentially devastating. In the coming days and weeks, we will be organizing with our Committee, and among our broader Menlo family to generate ideas and plans to bridge the gap. We know this is a challenging time for everyone, but we hope those of you who are willing and able will join us in this fundraising effort with ideas and elbow grease. And for those of you who would like to take action to help now, please double-click https://www.menlocharityhorseshow.com/donate to donate.

Looking forward....

We all love Menlo, and a year without it is a difficult reality to accept. We share your sadness and disappointment. But we encourage ourselves, each other and you to look forward to 2021, when we will return to the beautiful Menlo Circus Club, join our community together to hold a world-class equestrian event, celebrate our 50th anniversary, and perhaps best of all - enjoy the pleasure of each other's company once again.

In closing, thank you all for your support, commitment and encouragement as we navigate together through this unprecedented and challenging time. Each of you have our deepest appreciation. Again, we hope you and your families are safe and well, and we look forward to working with you on 2020 fundraising for Vista, and seeing you again in person in happier times.

Best regards,

Menlo Co-Chairs

Wendy Baum
Betsy Glikbarg
Catherine Harvey
Jenifer McDonald
Suzanne Rischman
Linda Salvador



The Menlo Charity Horse Show, a 501(C)(3) organization recognized as a USEF Heritage Competition, supports the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired by producing a premiere equestrian event while educating the community on the issues of the visually impaired.