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NEWS |
December 6, 2005 For Immediate Release Monterey Horse Park Agreement Signed Today Monterey Horse Park President Myron “Doc” Etienne, Jr. explains, “Our mission is to preserve land for equestrian activities and public recreation; to provide a venue to host local, national and international competitions, training and education; to ensure that this extraordinary land in this unique setting will be enjoyed by future generations. This agreement signed today with the County of Monterey is a giant step forward in realizing this goal.” The Monterey Horse Park Board of Directors includes Chairman Rod Hisken, President Myron “Doc” Etienne, Jr., Vice President Bob Enea, James T. Hendrick, Secretary, Executive Director Anne Warner Cribbs, Chief Financial Officer Barbra L. Higgins, Linda L. Allen, Steve Chidester, Derek di Grazia, Philip Marshall Durbrow, Tim G. Eastman DVM, Loris A. Henry, Jay Hubert, Rose-Eve K. Lewis, Charles L. Lloyd. III and Camille Stahl Penhoet. In addition, MHP Advisory Council members, representing various equestrian disciplines are Jody Cutler, President of the American Driving Society; Hilda Gurney, 1976 Olympic Bronze medalist in Dressage; Bobby Ingersoll, National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame inductee – 1996; Bob Massaro, Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau official; J. Ashton Moore, co-founder of the American Vaulting Association; David O'Connor, 2000 Olympic Gold medalist in Eventing; Karen O'Connor, 1996 and 2000 Olympic medalist in Eventing; C. Mike Tomlinson, DVM, President of the American Endurance Ride Conference; Sheila Varian, Arabian breeder and member of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame; and Jim Wofford, international Eventing competitor and trainer. Loris A. Henry serves as chair of the Advisory Council. With interest in equestrian activities increasing yearly, David O’Connor, President United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), three -time Olympian and Gold Medalist adds, “The United States Equestrian Federation is committed to supporting and backing equestrian centers built with the leadership of community partnerships on public land. The future of equestrian sports revolves around these kinds of public facilities. The Monterey Horse Park is a huge step in this direction and the USEF looks forward to helping to host international, national and regional equestrian events in the future at the Monterey Horse Park.” The Ft. Ord reuse plan included a “high-quality equestrian center” and Michael Houlemard, Executive Director of FORA commented, “It is a true pleasure to work with Monterey County in moving ahead with the Monterey Horse Park, which promises to be a world-class equestrian center right here on the Monterey Bay. I have appreciated the community’s interest, the County's diligence, and Monterey Horse Park's persistence in making this facility a reality.” The Monterey Horse Park will be built on a portion of the former Fort Ord between Monterey and Salinas. When completed, the Horse Park will serve as a venue for competition in all seven FEI disciplines (dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping and vaulting) as well as cutting, pony club, breed shows and other equestrian events. It will also provide a home for the equestrian program of the California State University Monterey Bay and for the horse rescue/adoption center of the SPCA of Monterey County. A recent analysis has determined that the positive economic impact on the County of Monterey generated by the operation of the Monterey Horse Park, when completed, will approximate $65 Million per year. Management anticipates that major equestrian events will come to Monterey Horse Park due to the quality of its facilities, the location, and the tourist destination of Monterey. |
