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NEWS |
April 6, 2006 HORSE PARK/ Must clear hurdle Growing up in Los Angeles, Myron “Doc” Etienne Jr. re-members being fascinated with cowboys and horses. Today, the Carmel Valley resident hopes to bring that fascination to life for future generations on the Central Coast and beyond, with the development of the Monterey Horse Park, an international-level equestrian facility planned for part of the former Fort Ord by Marina. “There is a very dedicated, hardworking group of people behind this project,” said Etienne, an 82-year-old lawyer who’s now president of the Monterey Horse Park organization. “I believe it will become a reality.” Monterey County officials gave the organization, which includes a 16-member board of directors and advisory council, authorization to plan and develop a 390-acre facility in the Parker Flats area of the decommissioned military base. The $40 million proposal includes a multi-purpose indoor arena, sand-based outdoor arenas, a Grand Prix-sized grass field, a cross-country course for horse trials, six permanent boarding barns, more than 1,000 show stalls, an RV park and a horse camping area. The MHP would provide a world-class venue for local, national and international competition, as well as schooling and training, as one of just a handful of premier equestrian centers in the United States. Shows could include dressage, driving, endurance, events, reining, show jumping, vaulting, breed shows and pony clubs. The year-round facility could host up to 60 events a year. Organizers say it could bring $65 million to the local economy annually, and support for the project is strong in the local, state and national equestrian communities. But several major hurdles must be cleared before the park becomes a reality, likely four or five years from now. Start-up money must be found, environmental reports must be approved and the land must be transferred from the U.S. Army. Etienne might be the key to helping the park overcome those hurdles. Shortly after coming to Monterey County as a deputy district attorney in 1954, Etienne stopped by the Salinas Rodeo grounds to offer his services as a volunteer. He joined the California Rodeo Board of Directors in 1962 and went on to serve three terms as president, seeing attendance for the annual event rise from 39,000 to 50,000. Working with the board to bring more people through the turnstiles was one of the “great thrills” of his life, Etienne said. Etienne has also chaired the Human Advisory Committee of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association, in which he’s still involved, and became president of the board of the National Rodeo Information Foundation. His leadership and longtime commitment to rodeo earned him an induction into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2001. Etienne is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the University of California, Hastings, College of Law. He married his wife, Charlene, about 30 years ago, and is currently the senior partner in the law firm of Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss. Although he’s owned horses and done trail riding with group such as the Rancheros Visitadores, Etienne’s service extends beyond the equestrian community. He’s also been involved with the Salvation Army, Monterey Jazz Festival, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Moss Landing Harbor District and the United Way. Etienne received the Salinas Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year award in 2002, and won the Jefferson Award for Public Service in 2005. “When I get involved in something, I give it all I’ve got,” Etienne said. |
