Foothills Sentry May 2024

Page 3 Foothills Sentry MAY 2024 Fairgrounds boarders not horsing around about fee hikes By Stephanie Tilhof Equestrians, fearful they will not be able to find a place for their horses, packed an April 12 meet- ing called by OC Fairgrounds Board Director Tanya Bilezikjian. Horse boarders are outraged over the fair board’s March 28 decision to nearly double board- ing fees at the stables that have been part of the fairgrounds for decades. The board voted 3-2 to accept staff’s recommendation for a phased-in plan to raise the monthly rate for 100 horse stalls over the next nine months. Costs will climb from $644 per month for a 12 x 12-ft. stall to $1,130 by January 2025. Bilezikjian was one of the two who voted against the rate hikes. “I called this meet- ing because I recognize this is a very important issue for you,” Bilezikjian said. “What can we do to get closer together on these issues?” The former operator, the Han- son family, ran the public board- ing stable for two decades at a profit. However, when the fair staff took over in 2023, they awarded the contract to the sole bidder, Lopez Works, Inc., a street sweeping company. In- stead of expanding their search, the fair board went forward with what equestrians call a “bloated” $1.8 million contract. Now staff claims the center is losing more than $1 million per year. With current revenues estimated at $1.4 million, staff says the rate hikes will help cover the center’s $2.7 million annual expenditures. “You’re being taken advantage of,” said Joy Gould, who oper- ates a similar equestrian center called Whittier Narrows. “It costs me $143/horse/month for feed- ing and cleaning. You’re paying $465/horse/month.” Gould said staff set up a meeting with her, but never showed. That’s why she attended this meeting. “You need a professional,” urged Gould, whose resume includes 37 years of horse management expertise. What you don't know Longtime horse owner There- sa Sears agreed. Sears was asked by staff to provide guidance, but felt her input was ignored. She claims she was blindsided by what she called an “egregious” staff report. Sears based her re- search on current boarding fees at similar Orange County facilities. The monthly stall rates at pub- lic stables ranged from $444 at Serrano Creek in Lake Forest to $650 at Peacock Hill in Orange. Sears says the planned rate hikes would make the Fairgrounds Equestrian Center the most ex- pensive in Southern California. “They are over-staffed,” claimed Sears. Her report shows that, if managed correctly, the current income more than covers expens- es, leaving a profit of more than $300,000 per year. OC Fair CEO Michele Rich- ards co-chaired the meeting with Bilezikjian. Richards had said previously that staff planned to offer free equine therapy pro- grams, school and public tours with hands-on experiences and small regional horse shows. At the March 28 board meeting, Richards said that horses for those programs would be leased, but could not provide any further details. Horse sense For many years, trainers, who also board horses at the center, have offered low-cost public pro- grams such as Changing Strides Therapy, U.S. Pony Club, and OC Vaulting. Horse trainers say they also offer riding lessons to children who cannot afford les- sons at private facilities. “It may not be urgent for you, but it is for us,” said UC Irvine student and riding instructor Angela Howe. “It’s hard to move a horse with a month’s notice," said Howe. “I’m a broke college student. I train kids, and I only make enough to pay for my rent, my horse’s board and some ramen.” Several lawmakers questioned whether it’s appropriate for a state-run facility to force out trainers who are already offering programs to the public. In a letter to the board, California Senator Josh Newman said, “The Eques- trian Center, which unquestion- ably serves a public purpose, has firmly established itself as an in- valuable asset for a wide range of groups … I strongly encourage the board to work collaboratively with the equestrian community to allow the RFP process for a new operator to move forward.” Assembly Member Diane B. Dixon also wrote, “This is a pub- lic facility, and agreeing to in- creases more than twice what is comparable at a private facility is cause for concern. As a state- run facility, the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center should make every effort to keep costs down so all residents – no matter economic background – have the opportunity to enjoy an equestrian experience.” Blinders on Horse boarders at the meet- ing questioned why there was only one bidder who responded to the Invitation for Bid, after a previous one was cancelled. “We saw multiple interested bidders walking the property,” said one woman. "Why was the request for proposals (RFP) cancelled?” Richards responded, “I can’t an- swer why the board cancelled the other RFP.” Richards said she was offended by accusations at the last board meeting of “fiscal irresponsibil- ity.” She blamed the state’s pre- vailing wages requirement for the large size of the contract. How- ever, several, including Aileen Anderson, dismissed that claim. Anderson, a UC Irvine professor who boards a horse at the center, said, “Prevailing wage is not the issue. The hours are overstated. I am here, and I see how long it takes to feed the horses.” Boarders have long com- plained about deteriorating con- ditions at the facility. “It’s getting dangerous to ride here,” warned Anderson. “Multiple horses have fallen. For years it was being maintained. There was money being reinvested.” Ask the experts Sears recommended that the center form a committee of equine experts to discuss other options. According to Richards, that would require a recommen- dation from the Facilities Com- mittee, which Bilezikjian serves on. Several equestrians noted that the current contract contains a 30-day cancellation clause. “Your RFP reads: ‘we may do an audit of the costs.’ Have you done an audit?” asked a woman, who introduced herself as “Kel- ly.” “I’m sorry,” said horse boarder Kari Friedman, choking back tears, “I have three horses here, but come June 15, if that’s what we have to pay, I am not here. Take the panic away. Can we de- lay the decision to raise rates?” The first of the fee hikes is set to take effect June 15. Boarders at the Fairgrounds stables protest the rent hike.