Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team

I started riding with Blue Shadows in 1975 when it was located at Hansen Dam Stables. I rode until I moved out of state. I learned teamwork, leadership and I think it even made me a better driver! The love of horses motivated me to go outside my comfort level when it came to competitions and social situations. I learned how to serve my community through various fundraisers. I can only begin to imagine how much more learning these skills and values is in these current times where it is easier to retreat by using modern technology.

Best years of my life. I grew as a person and was glad to pass on my knowledge to others. I have made some life long friends. I also found my wonderful wife while helping out. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Eric Glomboske
1st Lt Retired
Troop S, C, and K

In 7th grade a friend invited me to join the local drill team at Circle K Ranch in Newbury Park. It was run by a former Blue Shadows member, and while it was great fun as an independent entity, eventually she was able to merge our troop with Blue Shadows and we became Troop N. Although I left Blue Shadows in my junior year of high school, I can't say how thankful I am to have been a part of it for all those years! I was always very anxious and shy as a kid (still am!) but Blue Shadows really helped me out of my shell by giving me responsibility and leadership over others. It helped me learn how to speak up, how to teach and look out for others, how to best cooperate with a huge group of people, and helped me become more comfortable in social situations. I have also seen it transform other kids, helping them get over their fear of horses, and building confidence and character in each of its members.

I had always loved riding horses for as long as I can remember, but Shadows taught me specific horsemanship skills and about caring for these beautiful animals, leading me to get a horse of my own. It was stressful at times, especially practicing drills before a show, rehearsing horsemanship knowledge in my head and finding the best ways to get scuffs out of my boots to pass Inspection, but I am forever grateful for the years Shadows has given me.

Years back one of my daughter's 6th grade students invited her to a horse show. My daughter invited me, too, because I loved horses. I was very impressed! When my granddaughter, Monica, was born loving horses, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with her...Blue Shadows!!
Monica began her experience with Blue Shadows(BS) in 2010 at age 9 when she began 4th grade. She studied the BS workbook daily at recess & enjoyed learning. By fall she participated with BS in the Chatsworth Christmas Parade & began making life long friends. Only that 1st year did Monica live near BS. In summer of 2011 she move to Mira Loma in Riverside county but begged to stay in BS. Her family saw its many benefits & made sacrifices to keep her in Troop weekly where she was ready & eager to ride. In 2012 she won the blue ribbon & trophy for best Trooper Equitation. Also that year Monica moved again to Devore in San Bernadino county. She wanted to stay in BS because she was learning more than horsemanship. She learned responsibility, discipline, teamwork, respect & to be extremely observant. Also in 2012 Monica was invited to try out for JAT (Junior Advanced Team), but living over an hour away plus going to her Dad's every other weekend, she contented herself with just being the best Trooper 1st Class possible. As it was she drove daily with her Mom to Studio City where she went to school at Reed Middle School, where her mom taught.
In 2013 Monica moved to Agua Dulce where she lives now & owns her own horse. Dedication to horsemanship, leadership & friendship has kept Monica in BS troop except for pneumonia, & a broken ankle (done at school). Daily, Monica travels to the Los Angeles Zoo Magnet where she is a sophomore but rarely misses BS!
Blue Shadows has been a stabalizing force in Monica's life: supported by amazing alumni trainers, officers, & horse owners around the barn who love helping. BS is Monica's steady rock because she embraces its leadership & principles & never notices the sacrifices she has made! For all of us it is about the training, confidence, learning new things constantly & having an identity with something so valuable plus awesome friends: human & equine!
BS officers went above & beyond to work extra with Monica after she witnessed an accident where a horse was put down. They took on that trauma & helped her beat it! Today she rides with confidence from a place of love in her rank of Platoon Sergeant. Who knew managing money would be learned in BS but that along with so many positive attributes are just part of our gratitude to this amazing organization! Thank you Blue Shadows, you are the best investment we've made for Monica & our family! Happy 60th Birthday! We will always be grateful to you & your memories shall remain fresh in our minds! Thank you!!!

I have been apart of Blue Shadows for 9 years and I have steadyly gone through the ranks to become the leader I am today. This program helped me grow as a rider and a person. All of my leaders have taught me respect and how to lead to success. I am currently 15 and I plan to be apart of this organization as long as I can. I am a second lieutenant and help teach the wonderful kids what a connection between a horse and a person feels like as well as respecting everyone around them.

Five years ago we discovered Blue Shadows because we acquired a horse and happened to find boarding for him at Monteverde Ranch in Lakeview Terrace, and this ranch just happened to be a post for Blue Shadows. One night we were visiting our horse and saw all these kids running around in blue shirts. My daughter Katherine was 11 years old at the time. She met some of the kids (all really friendly, helpful and welcoming), watched one of their practices, and it took her about two seconds to beg me to let her join. She is now 16 years old, a Second Lieutenant in one of the intermediate troops, and also a third year member of the Junior Advanced Team. This organization has changed our lives, especially the life of my daughter, for the better in so many ways. It has taught her respect, discipline, and patience, and has enhanced her equitation, horsemanship, leadership and mentoring skills. As a mother, I have gained many friends who are also parents of children in the organization, and have been amazed to witness the accomplishments of my daughter and her teammates. Our horse has even benefitted, as the demands of drill have made him a better, stronger and more sound horse. It is so wonderful that kids who love horses can join an organization like Blue Shadows which allows them to ride a horse every week, whether or not they own one, and participate on a team that helps them grow and improve as riders, all for a cost that is very affordable. How can we get the word out to folks in the nearby communities whose kids are looking for this chance? In closing I'd like to share my daughter Katherine's feelings about Blue Shadows in her own words: "What I have learned has shaped my life as a teenager, and will continue to guide me into adulthood, and for this I am grateful beyond words."

Blue Shadows is much more than a place to ride horses. It's a place that teaches responsibility, leadership, and accountability. As a teenage boy at the time, I learned respect for females.

I rode with Blue Shadows for many years. I learned an amazing amount about horses and riding, but more importantly, I learned about responsibility and leadership. I would recommend Shadows to ANYONE, and if I still lived in the area my kids would definitely be in a troop.

My daughter has participated with Blue Shadows for a year and a half now. She has learned so much and her love for horses has been nurtured. The organization is volunteer based and the older riders mentor and coach the younger riders. The dedication the troop leaders demonstrate is beyond words. They are truly demonstrating to my daughter how to treat others, be disciplined, focused and to develop true friendships all while working as a team.

Blue Shadows taught me so much about horses and leadership. I was so thankful that my parents supported me as I advanced through the ranks, they attended the practices, shows and parades. It was a blast and I miss it to this day. Being a part of it for 11 years helped to mold me into a mature adult, started in remounts and moved up to 1st Lieutenant. Lots of memories that I will cherish my whole life.

My daughter was in this group for 11 years. It started out as an inexpensive activity to take her to each week. I know, inexpensive???? It really is. This group has so many volunteers and discount rates that it was cheaper than taking her to a movie.
After a while my daughter really got hooked. She loved riding horses, made wonderful friends and became disciplined with her school work and learned respect. One day she came from school with a funny story of respect. The teacher in her class at school asked her a question, she replied "Yes maam". Everyone laughed including the teacher.
If you have a child who could use some guidance to become a better person then this group may be a good resource for you. If you are looking to support a good organization then you may be a good resource for them.

I was part of Blue Shadows for 10+ years. Shadows taught me equestrian skills, team work, and most of all friendships, I can nor imagine going through my teen years without them.

Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team is the highlight of my life. It gives people the opportunity to ride horses who might not have had the chance otherwise. This organization has led many people on a career path in the equine world. It helps people develop all the skills necessary to become a knowledgeable horse person as well as integral life skills like respect, discipline, and leadership. Blue Shadows in an invaluable part of my life.

I've learned so much in my time here with Blue Shadows. It helps bring kids together from all over the valley and creates this supportive enviroment for learning all about horses! Drill team is on of the most fun things I've ever learned and Blue Shadows helps teach kids how to work with others and teach them life skills. Blue Shadows is my second family!

Blue Shadows is an amazing organization that helps young children learn to build their leadership skills as well as horseman ship abilities. This program gives children the strength and character they need to develop and become future leaders of America as they excel through military-based ranks and performance. Blue Shadows also participates in community parades, building the family closeness of persons citywide. Many friends and families have shared positive experiences with Blue Shadows as it is truely a beautiful youth program to take part in and avance into leadership positions later on throughout years of experience.

Blue Shadows is amazing! You get to meet other people with the same passion as you, HORSES! In shadows everyone is like family and are there for each other.

Been apart of this amazing organization for 8 years. Best decision I ever made to join. Would recommend anyone looking for a team that provides riding and also long life friendships. :)

I was a member of Blue Shadows for 20 years. It taught me leadership skills and responsibility that I have used to make me the person I am today. I have made life long friends and try to attend Blue Shadows activities as often as I can. My greatest memory was teaching a young girl to ride who was scared to death of horses and only had 1 leg. She conquered her fears and rode in the organization for years. It is a truly amazing organization and I would recommend it to anyone.

I learned to ride with Blue Shadows and was with them for ten years. It's an amazing organization! Aside from being totally comfortable and competent on a horse and being able to teach my friends a little about riding whenever I can get them out on a trail ride, I became a leader because of my experience with Shadows. The leadership skills and responsibility I learned there have helped me throughout my life. I wish I lived nearby still, so I could sign my own kids up for Shadows.

I have volunteered with Blue Shadows for many years and I have seen the impact it has made on many, many children! Shy children open up and make many new friends, ADHA children learn how calm they must be around horses and change their behavior, depressed children find how exhilarating it is to bond with a horse, and children who need to learn how to be responsible learn how to be proactive with caring for a horse. Horses have quiet souls who understand children. They learn to take care of each other. On top of all of that, Blue Shadows teaches leadership. Many times we hear back from those who have moved on to jobs and families. They all comment on how many life skills they had learned and used from being in Blue Shadows!