HISTORY OF THE COWBELLE TRAILRIDERS

The Cowbelle Trail Riders was formed by 13 women in 1962. These women were all ranch wives that were members of the San Luis Obispo County "Cowbelles" (now named the San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen.)

The original "Charter" members were: May Tucker, Iona Mitchell, Marilyn Taylor, Flossie Anderson, Marion Negranti, Melda Camsuzou, Lilah Davies, Jean Bonnheim, Susie Freeman, Alberta Lewis, Hope Bagby, Gloria VanHorn, and Nellie Claassen. The following year additional members joined. They included Elma Warren, Alice Miller, Rosalie Rhoades, Betty Luke, and Norma Wilcox.

Each spring the group would host a trail ride for the Cowbelle members at different ranches in the county. The ride would last several days. The women would set up their own version of "camping" out under the stars and prepare all the meals together. They would ride horseback each day, discovering the varied terrain, grasses, wildflowers and wildlife in different regions of our county. It was a nice break from their families and a chance to visit with other women with common interests.

Today, the membership is still limited to 35 riders and still allows their non-riding members to come back and camp, and visit with their old friends. Some of the founding members are still active and some of their daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters are now members.

COWBELLE TRAIL RIDERS PAST RIDES AND LOCATIONS
1962 Bagby Ranch, San Miguel (Hope S. Bagby, Hostess)
1963 Bagby Ranch, San Miguel
1964 Bagby Ranch, San Miguel
1965 Navajo Ranch, Carrizo Plains (Alberta Lewis, Hostess)
1966 Cammatti Ranch, Shandon
1967 Tar Springs Ranch, Arroyo Grande
1968 Marilyn Taylor Ranch, Parkfield
1969 Biddle/Varian Ranch, Arroyo Grande
1970 Sterling Rhodes Ranch, Cambria
1971 Pearson Ranch, Indian Valley, San Miguel
1972 Rotta Ranch, Huasna
1973 Art Claassen Family Bear Valley Ranch, Parkfield
1974 Art Claassen Family Bear Valley Ranch, Parkfield
1975 Mainini Cow Camp, Cayucos
1976 Art Claassen Family Bear Valley Ranch, Parkfield
1977 Fred Schuepak Ranch (Formerly Ed BiaggininRanch)
1978 Lucy "Granny" Brown Ranch, Cholame (Susan Swank, Hostess)
1979 Claassen Ranch Campgrounds, Parkfield Valley
1980 Rosalie Rhoades, Cambria
1981 Art Claassen Family Bear Valley Ranch, Parkfield (20th Anniversary Ride)
1982 N6 Ranch at Green Valley, Cambria (Margaret Negranti, Hostess)
1983 Frankie Ranch, San Miguel (Melda Camsuzou, Hostess)
1984 Blanchard Ranch, Cayucos (Terri Blanchard, Hostess)
1985 Sunny C Ranch, Cayucs (Kaarin Clark Black, Hostess)
1986 Santa Margarita Ranch (Kathy Loftus, Hostess 25th Anniversary Ride)
1987 Toro Creek Ranch, Cayucos (Mary Negranti, Hostess)
1988 Miller Brothers Ranch, Parkfield
1989 San Luis Obispo Ranch at Reservoir Canyon (Rebecca Wineman, Hostess)
1990 V6 Ranch, Parkfield (Zee Varian, Hostess)
1991 Navajo Ranch, Carrizo Plains (Alberta Lewis, Hostess)
1992 Taylor Family Ranch, Harmony Valley
1993 Camsuzou Ranch, Parkfield (Melda Camsuzou, Hostess)
1994 Hartzell Ranch, Templeton
1995 Barker Ranch at Slack Canyon Prison, Parkfield
1996 Barker Ranch at Slack Canyon Prison, Parkfield
1997 Bear Valley Ranch, Parkfield (June Kester, Hostess)
1998 Hartzell Ranch, Templeton RIDE CANCELLED…EL NINO
1999 Hartzell Ranch, Templeton
2000 Santa Margarita Ranch
2001 Rinconada Ranch, Santa Margarita (40th Anniversary Ride)
2002 Rinconada Ranch (North Side), Santa Margarita
2003 Bill Warren Ranch, San Simeon
2004 Bear Valley Ranch, Parkfield (June Kester, Hostess)
2005 Navajo Ranch, Santa Margarita (Alberta Lewis, Hostess)
2006 Reservoir Canyon Ranch, San Luis Obispo (Eleanor Truocchio Hostess)
2007 The Porter Ranch, (Porter Family, Hosts)
2008 The Estrella Ranch, (George Hearst, Host)
2009 The Hearst Ranch, San Simeon (Cliff Garrison and Cortney Warner, Hosts)
2010 The Work Ranch, San Miguel (Kelly Work, Hostess)