The mission of the Monterey Horse Park is to preserve land for equestrian activities and public recreation; to provide venues for local, national and international competition, schooling and training; and to ensure that this extraordinary land in this unique setting will be enjoyed by future generations.

MHP will construct and operate a multi-discipline equestrian park, located on approximately 390 acres of land (including habitat reserve) in Parker Flats, on the decommissioned military base, Ft. Ord, in Monterey County, California.  The facility is designed to promote the training of amateur equestrians and to host breed shows and competition in all eight Federation Equestre Internationale (“FEI”) disciplines.  MHP’s facility will provide California with a major equestrian center which, in time, is expected to attract prestigious international events of the caliber of The Rolex Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park. 

MHP will serve as a year-round training facility for amateur and open division equestrians.  Its programs will inform the public about horses, their many types and uses  and, in its museum, will display the history of horses in the West and preserve riding tack and artifacts from days gone by.

MHP’s proposed facilities include a multi-purpose indoor arena, sand-based outdoor arenas that can be adapted for use by any discipline, a grass Grand Prix sized field, and a cross-country course for horse trials, three-day events and combined driving.

15,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) open space will be just adjacent to MHP property, enriching the experience for trail riders.  The climate in and around Monterey Bay is ideal for maximum performance and the footing provided by the terrain is exceptional for horse competition.  In addition, given the temperate climate, events can  be scheduled year round.

MHP’s plans for shows include 60 shows per year in all equine disciplines, including dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, vaulting, breed shows, pony club events and others. 

MHP plans to enter into partnerships with California State University Monterey Bay (“CSUMB”) to host the university’s future intercollegiate equestrian team, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Monterey County (Monterey SPCA) and youth-oriented organizations such as 4-H Club and U.S. Pony Club.  Community partnerships for non-equine events including music festivals, dog and cat shows, and auto shows are also anticipated.

In addition, MHP will include horse camping facilities and an RV Park.  These facilities will be operated year-round and have a natural customer base with the estimated 4 million tourists that visit the Monterey Peninsula each year.  Horse camping is an increasingly popular activity for families to enjoy their horses in new surroundings.  Both activities will be sources of revenue and easy to maintain with low costs of operation.

MHP’s revenue will derive from rental of the facilities in each component of the park: shows, horse camping, community events and the RV park.  As with any fee-based business,  full utilization of its facilities will be important to MHP’s success and MHP expects to forge ongoing marketing relationships towards that end. 

A recent analysis has determined that the positive economic impact on the County of Monterey generated by the operation of the Monterey Horse Park and its events will approximate $65 Million per year.  Management anticipates that major equestrian events will come to MHP due to the quality of its facilities, its location, and the tourist destination which Monterey has become. 

The Monterey Horse Park was incorporated under California law in 2001 as a nonprofit public benefit charity.  At present, it is managed by a 16-member Board of Directors, which will retain final decision-making authority.  An Advisory Council, representing various equine disciplines as well as community representatives, provides welcome guidance.  There is a part-time Executive Director and MHP has retained  consultants in the fields of civil engineering, transportation and water conservation.

In December 2005, the County of Monterey formally authorized MHP to proceed with the planning and development of the project, with certain milestones to be met prior to the transfer of the land to MHP.  An early transfer of the land from the Army to FORA (the Fort Ord Reuse Authority) could expedite development of the horse park. 

Management has created concept plans for three phases of development, estimating construction costs and raising awareness in the local, state and national equestrian and non-equine community about the potential of the Monterey Horse Park. 

The greatest concern for all equestrians is the disappearance of land.  Over and over, land used for horse parks and recreation, is being taken for commercial uses.  As the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource warns, “If horsemen and women in the future are to have places to enjoy riding in natural settings, plans must be made today.”  With your help, the Monterey Horse Park can be that plan and that place.