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May 9, 2006 For Immediate Release Monterey Horse Park Welcomes Advisory Council Members Anne Cribbs, MHP Executive Director and 1960 Olympian, explains, “ The MHP Board has been looking forward to showing our advisors the property and taking advantage of their expertise and insight as we refine our plans for the Monterey Horse Park. We are fortunate to be able to draw on national and internationally recognized experts in all equine disciplines. This is a great opportunity to tour this extraordinary land with David O’Connor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation, Jody Cutler and Mike Tomlinson, give them a sense of its beauty and possibilities and incorporate their comments into our current plans.” 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. 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 Monterey Horse Park Board of Directors includes Chairman Rod Hisken, President Myron “Doc” Etienne, Jr., James T. Hendrick, Secretary, Executive Director Anne Warner Cribbs, Chief Financial Officer Barbra L Higgins, Linda L. Allen, Steve Chidester, Bob Enea, 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 to David O’Connor, Mike Tomlinson and Jody Cutler, MHP Advisory Council members, representing various equestrian disciplines are Hilda Gurney, 1976 Olympic Bronze medalist in Dressage; Bobby Ingersoll, National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame inductee – 1996; J. Ashton Moore, co-founder of the American Vaulting Association; Karen O'Connor, 1996 and 2000 Olympic medalist in Eventing; 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. The Ft. Ord reuse plan includes 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.” In December 2005, County of Monterey and MHP signed an agreement allowing the Monterey Horse Park to move forward on its planned 40 Million dollar Equestrian Park. The agreement requires the Monterey Horse Park to meet certain milestones over a period of three years with the intention of the parties that MHP will become the lessee of the designated land in the Parker Flats portion of the former Ft. Ord. Rod Hisken, MHP Chairman reflects, “ 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. Today’s visit by these well -regarded equestrian experts is another important step in MHP development.” 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. More information is available at www.montereyhorsepark.org <http://www.montereyhorsepark.org> . |
