Mounted Patrol | County of San Mateo

Horseperson of the Year

The Horseperson of the Year award is bestowed annually by the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County on an individual who represents the pinnacle of horsemanship, community service and is a world class citizen. The award was initiated in 1985 by George Potorff, long time member of the Mounted Patrol. A selection committee meets throughout the year to determine the annual recipient.

The award qualifications are simple but the achievements of the recipients are anything but simple. The recipient, without exception, must be a horseperson. Additionally, he or she must clearly demonstrate outstanding achievements in at least one of the following three areas:

Make outstanding contributions to our community and county.
Be recognized as a world class citizen (including but not limited to local or nationally recognized leadership of a professional, charitable, or community service nature).
Make outstanding contributions to improving and maintaining horse trails, facilities & county equitation in general.

The list of recipients that follows clearly demonstrates their worthiness of receiving this coveted and esteemed award.

2011 Susan Lang

2009 Walter J. Cole, M.D., C.M.

Read About 'Doc' Cole

2008 Rick DeBenedetti

Dedicated leader and volunteer in nurturing and preserving our most cherished equestrian traditions, trails, and stabling facilities.

2007 Glenn Atkinson

Decorated WW II veteran, stable owner/operator, donor/fundraiser for local charities Click here to get an overview of Glenn Atkinson Click here to review a brochure outlining Glenn Atkinson's accomplishments and a little history of the award Click here for a press release of Glenn Atkinson's announcement in The Almanac Click here for introductory comments honoring Glenn Atkinson

2006 Rick Corso

Grand National Cutting Horse Champion, Car Dealer and Catalyst for Community Charitable Fund Raising Click here to get an overview of Rick Corso Click here to review a brochure outlining Rick Corso's accomplishments and a little history of the award Click here for a press release of Rick Corso's announcement in The Almanac

2005 Rich Delucchi

Original equestrian pioneer in establishing extensive trail systems and riding organizations Click here to get an overview of Rich Delucchi Click here to review a brochure outlining Rich Delucchi's accomplishments and a little history of the award Click here for a press release of Rich Delucchi's announcement in The Almanac

2004 Grant Bennion

Grant Bennion, publisher, horseman and active community leader Click here to get an overview of Grant Bennion Click here to review a brochure outlining Grant Bennion's accomplishments and a little history of the award

2003 Adda Quinn

Adda Quinn, founder of EnviroHorse, blends science, equitation and environmentalism Click here to get an overview of Adda Quinn Click here to review a brochure outlining Adda Quinn's accomplishments and a little history of the award Click here for a press release of Adda Quinn's announcement as recipient along with a picture and commentary about her horse, Cocoa

2002 Michael Carr

Mars geologist Michael Carr wins Mounted Patrol award Click here for the article announcing Michael Carr as recipient Click here to download an article in the February issue of Gentry Magazine

2001 William Wraith III

Miner, rider, successful entrepreneur for humanity Click here for the article announcing William Wraith as recipient

2000 Barbara Heine

Former Executive Director, National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT) Click here for the article announcing Barbara Heine as recipient

1999 Jay Ward Smith

Respected physician and county trails advocate Click here for the article announcing Jay Ward Smith as recipient

1998 Joe Putnam

Auto dealer, rancher and National Champion Horse Competitor Click here for the article announcing Joe Putnam as recipient

1997 Phoebe Hearst Cooke

Philanthropist and Founder, National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT)

1996 Raymond A. Baumbach

President, Bofors, Incorporated

1995 Lowell H. Duggan

Former Commander, Sheriff's Air Squadron

1994 Howard D. Boone

Chair, Woodside Town Trails Committee

1993 Dale C. Ryman

Former President, Woodside Trails Club

1992 Elmer P. Wheaton

Portola Valley trail builder and aviation pioneer

1991 Harry J. Williams

Former Chair, Woodside Trails Committee

1990 K. B. (Pete) Towne

Ranch Owner of the Jack Brooks Horse Camp site

1989 John W. Dinkelspiel

Former Mayor of Atherton

1988 Richard H. Chambers

Honorable Federal Court Judge

1987 L. W. (Bill) Lane

Former Ambassador to Australia

1986 Robert K. Jaedicke

Former Dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Business

1985 Thomas McGinn Smith

Honorable Superior Court Judge

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The MOUNTED PATROL is a charitable not-for-profit organization for men which operates as a center for the following:

1. Equestrian improvement and excellence
2. A social club for members
3. A self-contained disaster relief center with availability for local emergency services

Members of the Patrol may elect to qualify for mounted search and rescue, and to be called to action throughout Northern California. Patrol members are selected from accomplished riders who are dedicated to horsemanship, who promote an interest in equestrian activities, and who serve the community. They come from San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alameda, Marin and Santa Cruz Counties.

The Mounted Patrol is proud of its heritage that has been built since 1942, and it is recognized as one of the finest organizations of its kind in the State. Each year finds the members of the Mounted Patrol working hard to live up to this heritage.

Mounted Patrol | 521 Kings Mountain Road | Woodside, CA 94062
Tel: (650) 851-8300 | Fax: (650) 851-9352