There is a New President in Town

There is a New President in Town

Dawn Kalin at the 2023 Helm of Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation

by Col Mike Howard US Marines (Ret), Historian SHF

About a decade ago, I was visiting Ridgewood Ranch to check out a new arrival … a vintage 1930’s era jockey statue that my little sister Malinda had donated. We set it up outside Tracy Livingston’s quarters in the Howard House and were having fun listening to another of Tracy’s “history tales”. It was just then that a HUGE gray cat meandered up to us followed by a gracious lady that Tracy then introduced us to: Dawn Kalin.

I remember this day for two reasons, one is that the cat ‘Bella’ (a Maine Coon) was ENORMOUS, and the second is that Tracy shared that Dawn would make a good future member of our SHF Board and ‘someday’ be a great president!

Well, that time has come! Dawn Kalin, at our last Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation board meeting at Howard Foundation Office, was unanimously elected to follow in the footsteps of such past great leaders as Tracy Livingston, Jacqueline Cooper, and Tim Cooper.

Dawn Kalin was born in Santa Monica, California, on August 24, 1967. Though a Southern California girl, her roots were in St. Louis, Missouri, where her parents had met. Between her Mom, Kathleen Rose O’Neill, and her Dad, Edward Kalin, she had Irish, Polish, Italian and German bloodlines. This would be the embodiment of strong character, body, creative mind and kind soul. Add to this a love of horses, a heart for service, an appreciation for Ridgewood Ranch, and you have the attributes that Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation is grateful and always looking for. We are also thankful that she was a longtime friend of Tracy and was mentored by him and Jacqueline on many things Ridgewood and Seabiscuit related.

Dawn graduated from California State University, Northridge, in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Recreation. She credits this pursuit to her “love of nature and adventure”. She became a sea kayak guide on Orcas Island, Puget Sound, in Washington state. From here she later moved to Aspen, Colorado, where she became a children’s ski instructor. Working closely with children and helping young parents was something that she felt called to do. She has maintained close connections with many of the families she worked with.

Dawn next moved from the cold of Colorado to the tropics of Maui, Hawaii. Starting in 2002, she would spend the next six years teaching yoga and substitute teaching in the Hawaiian school system. She also worked with special needs children. Continuing with her adventurous side, Dawn learned how to paraglide on Maui.

Returning to the mountains of Colorado, Dawn spent the next three years working in a state-of-the-art preschool and continuing yoga instruction. She had always fostered a love for horses and kept her eyes open for an environment where she could be around them.

In 2014, her hopes became a reality when she learned of Ridgewood Ranch, in Willits, northern California. Its connection to the legendary Thoroughbred racehorse Seabiscuit was an added incentive. Dawn shared that after all her moving around, she was also looking for a “spiritual community” that she could become a part of … a place with a “Divine connection”. The Church of the Golden Rule appeared to offer such a down-to-earth community. The church welcomed her and she eventually became a member. What made this special for her were the people. Tracy Livingston became good friends with her, and she would tag along on his many Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation tours of Ridgewood Ranch. Here she met others with a deep history, connection and appreciation for the unique heritage of the ranch. She was impressed with so many of the stories of people who wanted to belong to something bigger than themselves. Something special where she could SERVE away from a world where many want to BE SERVED. In this, the story of Seabiscuit, and the people around him, particularly impressed her. These were folks who had achieved and been given much, yet their attitude was one of giving back. Ridgewood attracted her as a place of healing. Dawn shares that she saw the “X factor” in both Seabiscuit and Tracy. She explains this as the ability to touch the hearts and souls of others at a deep level. That to once experience and feel it, one is forever changed for the better. Yes, I can hear Tracy’s influence and mentoring here.

Dawn believes that she may very well have this “X factor” just like Seabiscuit: a big heart and desire to serve and give. She is committed to a life of such “heart connections”. She believes that this is what makes a lifetime meaningful. She shared with Tracy toward the end of his life that she would dedicate herself as he did to ensure that what was special about Ridgewood was preserved and shared with others. She wants this commitment to be understood by others and to grow. Dawn believes that Tracy’s hard work and dedication should continue to challenge and inspire others. She wholeheartedly believes that the legend of Seabiscuit can help others in such a positive, giving way. Her passion to serve as the new president of Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation is where she believes she should be. Tracy’s example is where she hopes to follow in his footsteps and share Seabiscuit’s story of overcoming the odds and inspiring others. Seabiscuit was a “late bloomer” who had people around him who believed in him and gave him a chance. Dawn wants others in future generations to see what Tracy saw and “ride the spirit of Seabiscuit.” This is her vision. Dawn’s “love of children and horses feed her soul”. She believes that the power and beauty of nature and animals can connect people and help us “heal our wounds and help evolve our humanity.”

So there we have it. Dawn Kalin is a woman of passion and commitment to a cause. She is gracious, tender-hearted and positive. She also states that she is willing to commit and work hard.

My challenge to her is that these things are important, but the duty, honor and commitment to working in a leadership role with a team of others within a community, both of the ranch and the surrounding Willits area, can be a challenge. As a US Marine with deep roots and understanding of the history and heritage of Seabiscuit and the Foundation in his name, we have to lean forward and be a part of positive decisions and focus on work that builds others up. My challenge to Dawn is borrowed from the New Testament book of Luke in the Bible, where Christ challenges us that: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Please join me in praying a blessing over Dawn in her new work as president of SHF. We must stand by her and help her do the heavy lifting. I have already promised to tell her what she needs to hear, not what she may at times want to hear. As Tim and Jacqueline know well, leadership and command can be lonely. Winston Churchill always made me smile with his old quote that “The only thing command is expected to provide for you personally is a bigger tent.” That means to remain humble. May she demonstrate wisdom, patience, duty, strength and humility in serving with and for others!