Trancas Riders & Ropers to Hold Annual Election

Trancas Riders and Ropers, one of the oldest community organizations in Malibu, will hold its annual general election meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Bonnie Decker, whose family name is synonymous with TR&R’s decades-long history, is challenging the current president of the group, Rod Bergen.
Decker’s grandfather, Perc Meek, helped start the equestrian group and served as president several times. Decker’s grandmother, Rose Meek, served on the board of directors, and Decker’s mother, Millie Decker, was TR&R’s first woman president.
Emphasizing her own long association with the club, Bonnie Decker said, “Over the past 30 years, I have helped organize the horse fair, dressage shows, English shows, jumper shows, overnight rides, the Cup Ride and our annual breakfast trail ride.”
Decker expressed concern that a number of these events have not put on for several years, and she said she wants “to bring some of these family-involved events back to our community and club.”
Bergen has been the head of the organization for the last five years, and says he has been a member for at least 25 years.
He noted that he steered the club into its current association with the City of Malibu in the late 1990s. TR&R partners with the city on the use and upkeep of the municipal equestrian center located in Malibu Park.
Bergen said he understands Decker’s concerns about the direction of the club, but counters that TR&R has changed. “It is not so much western [now]. It is more about English riding,” he said.
“I agree with [Decker], but we have had problems trying to get folks to come to some of those events, only the organizers showed up. We have gotten away from the ropers and have more of the riders,” he said.
“I can remember when there were four riding clubs in Malibu, There are fewer horses now. It used to be all western riders,” Bergen added.
The election meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Landon Center at Malibu Bluffs Park.
—Bill Koeneker