PEOPLE: Jay Ward Smith named horseperson of the year

By ANDREA GEMMET

Jay Ward Smith, a longtime Portola Valley resident who has led local trail rides since 1960, has been named the San Mateo County Mounted Patrol's Outstanding Horseperson of the year.

A medical doctor who had a private practice in Menlo Park from 1959 to 1979, Dr. Smith was honored at a recent ceremony at the Mounted Patrol's Woodside headquarters. Every year since 1985, the Mounted Patrol has honored a local horseperson for contributions to the community, and for work to improve horse trails, facilities and horsemanship in the county.

Dr. Smith's long love of horseback riding began with a seat-of-the-pants education in horsemanship. As a child, Dr. Smith was introduced to horses by his father, whose only instruction was reportedly "don't fall off." His horsemanship improved during the nine years he spent as a wrangler on his uncle's ranch in Wyoming, between 1931 and 1940.

Since joining the Woodside Trail Club in 1960, Dr. Smith has been one of San Mateo County's most ardent trail riders, according to the Mounted Patrol's awards committee. He was a member of the Shack Riders, and served as patrol captain of the Mounted Patrol in 1975.

He was a member of the Portola Valley Trails Committee from 1972 to 1976, helping maintain and expand the trail system, and helping construct the Jack Brooks Horsecamp.

He has organized many trail rides over the years, including trips from the Circus Club's stables to Jasper Ridge, and the five-day "Coast Ride." He took part in the annual "Golden Gate Bridge Ride" for 10 years, and from 1960 to 1998, Dr. Smith led pack trips to the Sierras at least once a year, the committee said.

Perhaps his most distinguishing characteristic is the extensive number of poems he has memorized, which he recites for the edification of his fellow trail riders.

"Jay has set an unusually high standard of trail riding participation and leadership for San Mateo County horse owners, beginning in 1960 ... and lasting four decades to the present," said Tom Smith, the first Outstanding Horsemanship Award recipient. "His dedication and his love for horses and trail riding, coupled with his booming voice shouting out lines of bitter-sweet poetry while going down the trail, will always remain a warm, indelible memory for all of us who have loved and admired him so much."

The January 22 awards ceremony honoring Dr. Smith also saw the installation of the following as officers of the Mounted Patrol: Lex Hobson, captain; Budd Colby, first lieutenant; Scott Heatley, second lieutenant; Scott Kennedy, secretary; Bill Jabs, treasurer; Archie Coley, staff sergeant; Tom Stafford, mess sergeant; Greg Garcia, bar sergeant; Kevin Daley, mount sergeant; Tom Smith, parliamentarian; Charles Goldsmith, historian.

The San Mateo County Mounted Patrol was founded in 1942, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, by four men who wanted to protect San Mateo County's rugged coastline and many miles of wild, undeveloped land. The Mounted Patrol assists the Sheriff's Office in searching for missing people, responding to plane crashes, and, on occasion, providing riot control.

The Mounted Patrol also hosts horse shows and riding clinics, and has a color guard that rides in parades.