Morgan Horse Association Presents Gilroy’s Mounted Police with $7,500

When members of the San Francisco Peninsula Morgan Horse Association (SFPMHA) discovered that the police horses who work long hours during the Garlic Festival had no water at the facilities in Christmas Hill Park, they resolved to change that.

On Friday, Didi Howard and Janet Lloyd-Davis presented the members of Gilroy’s Mounted Patrol unit with a check for $7,500 from the SFPMHA.

“These officers work so hard,” Didi Howard said. “They pay for their own horses, and they make a big difference during the Garlic Festival.”

“When we realized that fixing the facilities here (in Christmas Hill Park) meant the officers would no longer have to take their horses to the creek for drinking water, we felt we could help,” said Janet Lloyd-Davis.

“During the hottest months, when there’s no water in the creek, we rely on water trucks. But it will be so much better to have fresh water here on-site for the horses,” said Officer Taryn Hathaway.

Officer Hathaway rides one of the unit’s two Morgan horses, Dominic. Officer Mike Beebe rides the other Morgan horse, Cairo.

Besides lacking water, the arena is riddled with gopher holes, which pose a hazard to the horses. The cost of leveling the arena and providing water will be $7,900. Lloyd-Davis donated another $200, which means only another $200 is needed to complete the work.

Denise Jungling is working to start a Friends of the Gilroy Mounted Patrol, which will handle any donations contributed.

"The officers pay for their own horses," she said. "We want to keep our Mounted Patrol and offer help when it's needed."

"Plus, my husband is a police officer," she said. "I know how hot it is to work here during the summer."

Police Chief Denise Turner presented Howard and Lloyd-Davis with Challenge Coins.

"These are rare," Turner said. "We reserve them for people who show extraordinary effort."

"We have one more thank-you gift," Turner said. As the officers on horseback applauded, Turner gave Howard and Lloyd-Davis each a cap. "We have for you the very coveted Gilroy Mounted Patrol caps," she said.

When asked how the SFPMHA raised $7,500, Howard said, "Through horse shows. We also donated some of our membership dues, but most of the money came from horse shows."

Anyone who wishes to donate to the renovation of the arena can mail or drop checks off at the Gilroy Police Department. Note "Mounted Patrol" on the memo line of the check, and those funds will go into an account that will be used solely for the renovation of the arena and other Mounted Patrol expenses.