ABOUT US

The Clark County Saddle Club (CCSC) has a rich history dating back to its incorporation on December 23, 1946. Over the years, it has evolved from a small club to a significant equestrian organization that supports youth and community events.  It began when horse owners in the community came together to develop a location in what is now Cascade Park, in the vicinity of Mill Plain and Chlalov Drive. A majority of them were also members of the unarmed Clark County Sheriff’s Posse and were very involved in supporting the Sheriff’s department in Search & Rescue, most notably providing assistance during the Van Port Flood of 1948. A group of members, including Don Hetrick, Elton Raley and the Norm & Claudia Kampe family, were avid members of the saddle club. The three men were involved in horse racing and even the women got in on the action, with Claudia and her daughter riding in the races. Claudia eventually founded what became the Clarkettes, a drill team that in later years performed at our rodeos. This group and others convinced members to volunteer time and money to build a dirt track for racing and plowed a field to hold jackpot rodeo events with donated cattle. Eventually, the membership built a large clubhouse that provided room for community meetings, bingo, dances, club socials and gambling (racehorse betting).

In the early 1960’s, the Clark County Saddle Club was destroyed by fire, including the club house, stables and indoor arena. It was tragedy to all as not only were the lives of the stabled horses lost, but the personal investment of the members who built up the club was also impacted. Members were very motivated to rebuild, and a decision was made to relocate. Once decided, the facility was rebuilt within a year at the 117th Ave location in the Orchards area of Vancouver. During the time of the rebuild, the Saddle Club decided to hold their first sanctioned rodeo under the Rodeo Cowboys Association, the precursor to what is now the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. That rodeo, in 1970, was contracted with the club’s first stock contractor of the time and founder of the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo.

The rodeo, called the Clark County Saddle Club Rodeo, was the start of the event we all loved to experience over the 4th of July in Vancouver. For a period in the late 80’s/early 90’s, the rodeo’s name changed to the Fort Vancouver Rodeo after the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce was convinced to help promote the rodeo. Unfortunately, many people thought that the rodeo was to be held down at Fort Vancouver National Park, leading to some confusion and the Club to change its name again to the Vancouver Rodeo. The club’s former location was the home of the Vancouver Rodeo from 1970 to 2018. After its 48thyear the club halted the rodeo while the club again changed locations. We hope to start a new era of the rodeo sometime in the future. 

As Vancouver continued to grow and expand, the club was surrounded by houses, apartments and increased traffic flow. The club membership was also increasing, and it was time to move to larger location. The club purchased 40 acres just south of the city of Battle Ground, WA. It took a few years to build the indoor arena and event center but once completed, the club moved from the Orchards location to the new and current location. The CCSC has since added a large outdoor arena and stalls to the property. CCSC is continuing to improve and add to the facility with new things to come. 

The Clark County Saddle Club is a 501©(7) nonprofit organization which means it operates as a social and recreational club. Monies are earned through annual membership fees, arena rentals, and events, both public and private, are held at the club. These help the club support facility upkeep, enrich the equine environment with equipment, and hold exciting events and group practices for all members to enjoy.