History Intro

CLUB HISTORY 1939-1996

Written by Dorothy Soderholm

March 1996

Several of our members who joined the NVHA recently have asked about our past. Who are we? When did we start? What have we been doing? What are our goals? Etc. As I have been around here for so long, I have been asked to tell you a little about the Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association. So here goes…

With the increasing interest of Napa Valley residents in horses as hobbies, and as a form of recreation, the need for an organization to promote the sport became apparent. Napa seemed to be overrun with horse show exhibitors. Late in 1939, at the suggestion of Judge David Wright, a committee was formed consisting of Wade Shifflet, Bert Woods, Lester Clark, Harrison Cutler, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh of Soscol, and several other residents of Napa and the surrounding areas. Judge Wright was appointed chairman.

This committee met on the evening of October 11, 1939, at the Napa Fairgrounds in the Home Economics Building. At this meeting “The Napa Valley Horse Lovers Association” was founded with 61 charter members. Bert Woods was elected President; James Pritchett, Vice President; Mrs. James Graham, Secretary; and John Egan, Treasurer. The Charter was open until Jan 1, 1940 and closed with 82 charter members.

On November 19, 1939  the Club’s first event was held. It consisted of races, goat and calf roping, horsemanship classes and jumping. It was held at the Napa Fairgrounds. At that time, the fair boasted a large, beautiful arena with grandstands and a one-half mile race track. But progress saw to their demise.

At the December 4, 1939 meeting, the name of Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association was officially adopted and in May of the following year, the Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization.

Meetings were held monthly at the fairgrounds until November 1940, when they were held at the Chamber of Commerce Building, and then on Clay Street, which is now a part of the downtown Mervyns complex. Charge for the meeting rental was $5 per month, and coffee and doughnuts were served for less than $1.50 per meeting. In May 1941, the monthly meetings were again held at the Home Economics Building at the fairgrounds until our present clubhouse was a reality.

The Club had begun to show its interest in community activities and at the March 1941 meeting, it was voted to supply labor for repairing the 1940 flood damage at the fairgrounds. On this basis and a like offer from the Napa Roping Club, the 15th District Fair was able to procure the necessary funds from Sacramento to completely repair all the damage suffered.

Entrance to Fairgrounds Flood of 1940