PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Equestrian Association members are galloping toward an agreement with Jefferson County in hopes of beginning construction on the county’s first horse park.
“We’re looking at 2010 as the year of the horse park, and we hope to break ground this year,” said Kim McGuire, the association’s president and lifelong equestrian.
The nonprofit association plans to sign an agreement with the three county commissioners to use 80 acres of county land off Cape George Road. The agreement would allow the association to develop, manage and maintain the site.
Then the association’s volunteers can begin bulldozing an area for parking and the first 200-foot by 200-foot outdoor horse arena, possibly before next summer, McGuire said.
“The good news is we’ve got volunteers with bulldozers ready to go once we have all our ducks in a row,” McGuire said.
McGuire and other association members updated the commissioners on their progress a week ago Monday.
Jefferson Equestrian Association’s goal, which has been nearly 10 years in the making, is to build facilities to provide access to equestrian sports for children and adults who might not ride otherwise.
The park will provide opportunities for association members, area pony clubs and 4-H members, along with at-risk youths and children participating after-school.
It will preserve rapidly disappearing open space for equestrians, dog walkers and nature lovers, said McGuire, a professional equestrian trainer who teaches dressage and horsemanship skills.
The Jefferson Equestrian Association is an umbrella organization for the Olympic Peninsula Backcountry Horsemen, which maintains the trails its members use.
Proposed for site are:
• A 200-by-80-foot covered arena.
• Two outdoor arenas, each 200-by-200 feet.
• A round pen for training.
• Cross-country courses.
• 60 horse enclosures.
• Trails for horses and pedestrians.
• Competitor and public parking, a picnic area and utilities.
• Vaulted toilets.
• Judge booths.
• Perimeter fencing.
• Show office.
A sustainable forest plan would be part of the project.
The facility would give youths a nearby place to ride year-round.
“The exciting thing with the park is we have a standing committee that is part of the volunteer partnership program,” McGuire said.
“With this, we will put together and create a direct connection with people in community and youths, especially at-risk youths.”
The park trails will be open to bikers and walkers. A dog group has voiced interest in using the park for an agility course.
McGuire said the association will act as thoughtful stewards of the park land with an eye for preserving the natural environment.
Care leases of horses
McGuire has started a mentorship program in which youths who can’t afford to have their own horses will be able to be set up with a “care lease of a horse,” in which they agree to take care of the animal for the owner in return for riding the horse.
The park would serve as a home for 4-H youths and Pony clubs, given them a venue where they can hone their skills and invite other clubs to participate in horse camps and competitions.
It would give club members the power to schedule use, determine fees and organize events.
A portion of event proceeds would be returned to the association for facility maintenance.
The site has been partially logged out and replanted in the past five years, but forestland still remains.
“We’re really excited about giving back to the community,” McGuire said.
Jim Costello, association vice president who builds cross-country horse courses in Pebble Beach, Calif., said his brother, Mick, will design the Jefferson County horse park.
Mick Costello is building the national horse park in Lexington, Ky., for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Jim Costello said such parks pay for themselves through entry fees for competitions and horse shows.
“There is not a lot of population here, but there are a lot of horses,” Costello said.
“The winning thing for this is, we can support a horse park by putting on a horse show, so outside people can come in and help for the facility.”
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
