Malibu honors its equestrian roots in the Year of the Horse

By Barbara Burke · Fri Aug 14 2026

City Council presents nine Malibuites with 2026 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Awards

“Because it is the Year of the Horse, it is a great time to celebrate and honor those leaders in Malibu’s equestrian community who strive to protect equestrians and keep horses in Malibu,” Malibu City Councilmember Haylynn Conrad said as she convinced her colleagues on the council to commend leaders in Malibu’s horse and animal rights community by awarding nine Malibuites the 2026 Jake Kurdjian Citizenship Awards. 

Each Chinese Zodiac year has a corresponding element within the cycle. On Feb. 17, we entered the Year of the Fire Horse for the first time in 60 years. The year concludes on Feb. 20, 2027, fire being the element and horse the zodiac sign.

The horse was a very important means of transportation in ancient China. In the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, independence, forward momentum, and it favors bold decisions and personal growth as well as chasing ambitions over standing still, attributes that are reflected in the iconic phrase, “Ma Dao Cheng Gong,” which translates as, “success arrives the moment the horse arrives.” However, according to Hugo Tseng, a sometimes writer inthe Taipei Times who holds a doctorate in linguistics, is a lexicographer and former chair of the Soochow University Department of English, those who are really in the know note that the true essence of a horse is not merely its speed; it is rhythm. 

Although Malibu’s rhythm is currently communally running at a very high speed, amidst the innumerable tasks and projects inherent in serving Malibu after a disaster, the City Council paused to briefly recalibrate its rhythm on Aug. 10 by celebrating leaders of the local equestrian community and to also award a commendation to Sherman Baylin, an indefatiguable, valiant animal rights advocate who for years has led efforts to save local animals during disasters and who has assiduously strived to represent animals nationwide who cannot speak for themselves in both good and bad times. 

Old Malibu is honored at City Hall

At a reception in the awardees’ honor, I caught up with awardee Bonnie Decker, who is truly a matriarch in Malibu and a force of nature in the local equestrian community.

“My family started Trancas Riders & Ropers,” Decker said in that matter-of-fact way that those who have been in Malibu their whole life and who have weathered many a local climatic and political ordeal simply speak their truth. “My great-grandparents homesteaded on Decker Canyon in the 1860s and Marion Decker, my dad’s great-great uncle, held the first rodeo in Malibu in one of the city-owned lots located just beyond the city building. My mother, Millie Decker, who died on Christmas Eve 2018, weeks after the Woolsey Fire, went to Decker School.”

Bonnie Decker was one of those acknowledged by the council, as were others who tirelessly cherish and preserve our town’s equestrian community, including Denise DeGarmo, executive director of Big Heart Ranch, a sanctuary wherewildfire survivors, both people and animals, gathered and healed one another after recent disasters and where a team of dedicated volunteers provide outreach to residents of all ages in the community. 

Other awardees who were thanked included Larry and Lori Gray, owners of Mister, a wonderful horse that always let children pet him, whether at the annual Point Dume Fourth of July Parade or when traversing local horse trails. Sadly, Sir, who was only 17 years old, recently passed away.  

Talley Hutcherson was also acknowledged by the council. Hutcherson is the owner and operator of the Connemara Ranch, which offers equine therapy using horses as healing tools. A fun fact for readers: Some top-level celebrities learned to ride horses at Connemara Ranch, including Billy Crystal, Adam Sandler, Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Cindy Crawford, Olivia Newton-John and Emma Thompson. 

Also commended was Gina Merz McCloskey, who, along with her husband, Bruce McCloskey, operate the 30-year-old Rancho Sea Air, one of the epicenters of Malibu’s equestrian culture for more than 70 years. Readers may be intrigued to know that Gina’s father, Egon Merz, was a classically trained dressage rider and an acclaimed German riding instructor who trained the young Elizabeth Taylor to ride for the film "National Velvet" and who also taught President Ronald Reagan how to jump.  Now, as the locals say, “that’s really old school from back in the day!”  

Beth Cadwallader, who has operated Zad Ranch, a successful horse training program, for decades in Malibu was also recognized, as was Erin Sinclair of Shoreline Equestrian, who trains riders and thereby welcomes them to the wonderful world of horses and equestrian competing, and who bravely led evacuations and off-site care for three very long days after the Franklin Fire in December 2024. 

“What a beautiful event!” Lori Gray exclaimed after the council conferred the commendations. “Thanks to Councilperson Haylynn Conrad for urging the city to recognize us as well as to the city for really honoring the spirit of Malibu by remembering and honoring our equestrian roots!” 

When the council recognized all the awardees, it also implicitly recognized that the local equestrian community is one of the critically needed parts of our precious Malibu and it is one of Malibu’s highly valued segments of our town character.

“We’re Malibu! We’re not Newport or Manhattan Beach!” Dylan Klumph declared. Klumph is one of many locals striving to preserve Malibu’s equestrian community. “For Pete’s sake, there are even horse ties at Whole Foods — horses are a critical component in Malibu’s deep and rich culture!”