Foothills Sentry - January 2024

Page 7 Foothills Sentry January 2024 County Equestrian Center dodges another bullet By Tina Richards The Orange County Equestrian Center, located in the corner of the OC Fairgrounds, a long-time stepchild of the governing board that oversees the property and the activities it hosts, may finally be getting some attention after fac- ing the possibility that it could be shut down. Following four hours of public comments supporting the eques- trian facility at a Fair Board meet- ing, Dec. 4. the board agreed to rethink its approach to the riding and boarding center. Fair staff will convene a series of public meetings between the board, the public and other stakeholders to develop a new model of opera- tion. The equestrian community – trainers, boarders, riders, horse- manship students—were encour- aged that they were, for the first time, given a seat at the table. And that community is not limit- ed to users of the fairgrounds’ fa- cility. Equestrians throughout the county viewed the fair board’s in- difference as a warning sign that horses were no longer welcome in Orange County. Limited public options Where there once were about 3,800 publicly available horse stalls in the county, that number is now less than 800. During fire emergencies, horses and other large animals have been evacu- ated to the fairgrounds facility. It is, for many, an essential re- source. Last month, boarders, riders and trainers at the facility were told that the fair board was issu- ing a request for proposals (RFP) to find a contractor to run the fa - cility; failing that, it would close it down and everyone would have to leave by the end of April. This isn’t the first time the center has been threatened. In 2009, the then-board was set to sell the fairgrounds entirely and shut down the equestrian center. In 2003, the 15-acre facility was reduced to 7.5 acres. In 2018, the barns and stables were set to be demolished. In the intervening years, the board authorized a series of stud- ies and assessments to establish a “vision” for the center. But noth- ing of import changed. In 2023, staff took over management and operations of the center and sub- sequently lost about $1 million. Lost in the shuffle It didn’t have to be that way, center equestrians report. Opera- tions, they say, were given over to a street sweeping company. “They had no experience,” says a center spokesperson. “They had employees sitting around all day because they didn’t know what to do. They lost boarders and didn’t know how to replace them.” Lit- tle was repaired. The fair board has not invest- ed any money in the facility for years. Apparently it didn’t under- stand what it had. The OC Fair website lists the equestrian center as a “private” operation. It does not advertise lessons, horse rent- als or any public opportunity. There is no signage. There’s an access gate that opens automati- cally, but no way to know what’s behind it. A vaulting instructor reported that she had a sign on the gate, but it was taken down. Despite the previous operator paying over $100,000 a year, the 2023 failed management experi- ment led staff to suggest it was a losing concern. Because the people who provide riding les- sons, training and promote eques- trian activities are “self-employed and operating businesses,” staff considered the facility “private,” not “public.” The board did not want to continue to lose money on it unless it served a “public benefit.” The fair currently loses money on its Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall, but both offer benefits to the public. Board takes notice The RFP issued in November was, according to center eques- trians, another loser. It required the bidder to pay $5,000 in rent, $5,000 in utilities, and finance all capital improvements. Since no improvements had been made in over a decade, that investment would have been sizeable. “No one would bid on that,” says a center trainer. “It looked to us like they issued an RFP that no one would bid on so they could then have an excuse to shut down the equestrian center and replace it with something that would bring in more money.” With a questionable RFP circulating, the board called a public meeting to discuss “the Development of Public Program- ming at the Equestrian Center and Vote on Next Steps.” Scores of individuals, from eight-year- old riders to a 90-year-old former trainer, showed up to explain that the facility was not private, that it was open to the public and al- ready provided a wealth of pub- lic benefits. Those who frequent the cen- ter noted that it hosted special needs and disabled children and those from foster homes. Adults from senior centers were invited to meet the horses, and people recovering from traumatic ex- periences find solace with the animals. And those services are free. “Horses are good for peo- ple,” a rider said. Others noted that their experiences at the cen- ter changed their lives. Worth its weight Others noted that they can’t afford to own a horse, so they connect with the equines there through riding lessons or just be- ing there. “Not every equestrian is wealthy,” another said. “We need the access provided by the center.” Supervisor Katrina Foley stressed that she wanted to pro- tect the equestrian community and that her office is ready and willing to help develop new pro- grams focused on mental health, equine therapy and after-school enrichment. “You must, she told the fair board, “strongly consider having a robust equestrian com- munity here.” “I don’t want to close the equestrian center,” Board Chair Nick Kovacevich emphasized. “But we have to find a differ - ent model. We’re all saying the same thing. But right now there’s a layer in the middle – private business. We don’t have a direct line of sight. We can still have an evacuation center, still have les- sons and training. We can deploy capital. Make it better with more access. We don’t have to oper- ate at a profit. Elected officials want to help. We have to devel- op a model that will better serve the public and make that model work.” The board voted unanimously to put the RFP on hold and direct staff to work with stakeholders to come up with that new model. They plan to know what that is by the end of June. The OC Fair board room overflowed with weary citizens who want to keep the Equestrian Center open -- once and for all.