The DK Lawson Horse Arena in Mokelumne Hill, California is a cherished and much-needed resource in Calaveras County, first built in the 1980's. It was named after its main volunteer caretaker, DK Lawson, who passed away several years ago, and the arena fell into decay. Calaveras 4-H Wranglers has partnered with locals and the Mokelumne Hill Veteran’s Memorial District to fund and complete the public arena renovation, which began in 2019 when we cut the thick jungle of weeds away that had taken over the surface of the arena and caused it to be almost invisible to passerby. This project is currently funded solely by organizing events and seeking donations from supportive local businesses and animal lovers like you who understand how valuable the experience of riding, training, caring for, and competing with horses can be for our local youth. Youth in Calaveras County, with its small towns, mountains, rivers, and valleys, may lack other opportunities for extracurriculars that might be more common in higher population-dense areas. However, this is prime territory for growing up with horses! With local shows less than an hour away at Rancho Murrietta Equestrian Center and the Ed Hughes Memorial Arena, rodeos and fair events, endless miles of trails on BLM land and the Coast to Crest trail system in Ione, our youth can have access to an incredible array of equestrian interests...IF they can maintain a local and accessible space to safely train their horses. This resource is precious for our lower-income, rural horse owners, helping provide a gathering place to connect and share resources, take lessons, and have a safe setting to train at when most owners in this area cannot afford a facility of their own, or professional trainer fees. This site hosts equine sports massage, farrier events, 4-H practices, and other low-cost, group discount, or free events and daily access year-round that improve the welfare of all equines in our rural area.

While Covid delayed our fundraising efforts, we finally reached our first goal of raising almost $15,000 for phase one in spring 2022. Thanks to the support of local businesses and this community, combined with the generous donation of leveling work by local business Hertzig who also provided the trucking, we were able to purchase the much-needed new sand. While the MHMVMD board is working on grant funding to improve the sprinkler system, and we have raised the funds to fix the donated arenavator, we still lack a consistent solution to provide the needed tractor service to operate it. Our beloved tractor volunteer, John Johansen, passed away in 2025 and at this time, we are relying on one tractor donor to help us when he can, which has been quarterly at best. The arenavator requires at least 26 Hp and a three-point attachment, and we would need maintenance connections and safe storage for the arenavator and tractor, even if we can get an older one purchased or donated. A new tractor would be ideal, but would cost us around $10-30,000, and professional tractor services will cost us $200-350/day but are hard to find, so we are exploring options but will need all the funds we can raise either way. Having our own tractor would also help us host high-impact practices, such as barrel races, gymkhanas, flag work, jumping, etc. to support our local competitors. Please help us spread the word and raise the money to support this project! Funds will be used solely to maintain the grounds with volunteer efforts, which may include tractor service, rentals, purchases, or storage; repairing equipment; fuel; replacing gravel; weed abatement; tree trimming; etc. Locals who donate over $300 will be elligible to hang a banner advertising a local business at the arena (for more information, please contact us on our facebook page Friends of Mokelumne Hill Horse Arena! Some restrictions apply as this is public property). Every dollar raised has and will continue to be accepted by the Mokelumne Hill Veteran's Memorial District Board, and used solely for this project to ensure its maintenance and enjoyment for years to come by horse lovers of all means in our small rural community. Check out our Facebook page for updates!

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