Saddle Sore Riders CLUB

Saddle Sore Riders,

As we step into a brand-new year, I want to say how excited I am for what lies ahead of us. 2026 is filled with new trails, new adventures, and new opportunities and it’s up to us not to sit back, but to grab hold of them with gusto. Together, let’s make this the best year Saddle Sore Riders has ever seen.

There is already so much to look forward to. From the ever-popular Poppy Ride, the Lake Perris Campout Ride, and the Walnut Creek Ride, to our always-favorite Taco Rides and Hamburger Nights, our calendar is shaping up to be packed with fun, fellowship, and great riding. These events are the heartbeat of our club and a big part of what makes SSR such a special group.

I also want to give a huge shout-out and heartfelt thank you to everyone who worked on the Christmas float and rode in the parade both on the float and on horseback. Because of your hard work, creativity, and dedication, we received First Place Overall for Best Representation of the Parade Theme. That honor belongs to all of you. A special thank-you goes to Brian Motley for always bringing out his tractor and allowing us to hook up to it and quite literally tow us to victory. Events like this build unity and excitement within our club and help share the good news of Saddle Sore Riders with the broader community.

So many of you do so much to make this club successful. It’s hard to call out just a few without feeling like I’m shorting someone else, because the truth is, this club runs on the dedication and heart of its members. Please know that I truly appreciate each and every one of you and everything you do to set us apart and make Saddle Sore Riders a premier riding club.

That said, I do want to recognize a few individuals who consistently answer the bell:

· Rona Meyers does an outstanding job running our Country Store. We truly are the best outfitted organization around, and that’s because of Rona’s eye for quality and her knack for keeping our merchandise fresh, available, and looking great. Thank you, Rona.

· Cindy Merritt deserves recognition for overseeing our Burger Nights. She has done a fantastic job assembling teams and helping us earn our reputation for having the best burgers at the American Legion. You can tell when it’s an SSR burger night—the place is packed. That’s a testament to Cindy’s leadership and to all the volunteers who come out and make those burgers some of the tastiest around.

· Tammy Kapec has faithfully overseen tacos at the Legion for a long time, and she continues to do an outstanding job. Whether she has a large crew or a small one, Tammy is always there making sure taco cravings are satisfied. She consistently delivers and always answers the call. Great job, Tammy.

I pray that each and every one of you had a wonderful New Year, and that 2026 will be a fruitful, rewarding, and joy-filled year for you and your families.

I’ll close with a little cowboy wisdom: “Ride for the brand, take care of your horse, and leave every trail better than you found it.”

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to seeing you on the trail and till I do may God bless the trails you ride.

Blessings, Don Pettinger 

President

Saddle Sore Riders, Inc.®