Silvergate Riding Club and Balboa Mounted Troop Records, 1924-1994

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Summary

Title:
Silvergate Riding Club and Balboa Mounted Troop Records
Dates:
1924-1994
Creators:
Balboa Mounted Troop. and Silvergate Riding Club.
Abstract:
The collection contains materials for the Silvergate Riding Club and the Balboa Mounted Troop, two equestrian societies that were based in San Diego in the mid to late 20th century.
Extent:
2.75 Linear feet (4 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Silvergate Riding Club and Balboa Mounted Troop Records, MS 207, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of records from both the Silvergate Riding Club and the Balboa Mounted Troop. Administrative materials from both groups include histories, by-laws, officer and membership rosters, meeting records and announcements, newsletters, and correspondence. Horseshow programs, publicity correspondence, related newspaper articles, and photographs of members and activities are also included for both the Club and Troop. Scrapbooks include articles, photographs, event flyers and programs, and correspondence.

Biographical / historical:

The Silvergate Riding Club was founded by Rachel G. Wegeforth in 1924 as a private equestrian society. Originally named the Silvergate Riding and Driving Association, the Club operated out of the Balboa Park Riding Academy and focused on western riding instruction. The co-ed group also hosted a multitude of social activities, including trail rides, picnics, scavenger hunts, and breakfast functions. In 1933, the Balboa Park Stables and the organization’s clubhouse were destroyed by a fire. That same year, the Club began hosting their popular horse shows. The shows, which attracted up to 800 participants, were held annually until 1986, with the exception of 1943 during World War II. After the 1933 fire, the Club, in preparation for the California Pacific International Exposition, rebuilt the stables and a large riding arena in south Balboa Park near San Diego High School. In 1946 they founded the Bridlewise Club, a junior riding organization, to promote horsemanship among San Diego youth. Construction of the crosstown freeway (later called Interstate 5) in 1960 forced the Club to move from their Balboa Park facilities to Bonita Valley Farms, a ranch run by a member, Robert Bradley. From 1978-1983, the Club's annual horse shows were held at Dehesa Farms Equestrian Center in El Cajon. The Club officially dissolved in 1994.

The Balboa Mounted Troop, a dressage drill team, was organized in 1935 and was the only women’s English riding group in San Diego County. Like the Silvergate Riding Club, membership was by invitation only. The Troop shared facilities, instructors, and several members with the Silvergate Riding Club, though the two groups were separate organizations. The Troop's first public appearance was in 1935 at the California Pacific International Exposition. In 1937, they chartered their first charity horse show to benefit the Boys and Girls Aid Society of San Diego. These shows lasted until 1947, but the Troop maintained their ties with the Boys and Girls Aid Society for years to follow. The Troop also hosted a number of social activities, the most popular of which was the Troop’s annual Easter “Bunny Hunt,” first held in 1952. Participants on horseback searched for decorated Easter eggs. Brunch was later served and a cash prize was awarded to the winner. As with the Silvergate Riding Club, the Troop was forced to move to Bonita Valley Farms in 1960 due to the freeway construction continuing to share facilities with the Silvergate Riding Club. Weekly meetings were held on Thursdays, with an hour of drill followed by a social coffee hour. The Troop formally dissolved in 1985.

Acquisition information:
Accesion number 980318.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on February 23, 2012.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into two series:

Series I: Silvergate Riding Club Records

Series II: Balboa Mounted Troop Records

Items within each series are arranged by subject. Scrapbooks remain in original order.

Physical / technical requirements:

Pages of scrapbooks are fragile and brittle.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Lauren Rasmussen
Sponsor:
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Date Prepared:
February 23, 2012
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-03-22T16:08-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Silvergate Riding Club and Balboa Mounted Troop Records, MS 207, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website