The U.S. Equestrian Federation has reorganized major shows on the Southern California spring/summer calendar in the wake of Orange County Coastkeeper’s decision earlier this month to bar any equestrian activities involving more than 25 horses from the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano.
The indefinite closure was due to failure by the park’s operator, the Ridland Group, to comply with certain requirements and commitments made under a 2018 consent decree involving water quality, according to USEF. The Ridland Group is run by USEF show jumping chef d’equipe Robert Ridland and his wife, Hillary.
The federation noted that with a date for resumption of operations at the park uncertain, USEF “had no alternative but to remove all competitions from the calendar that were scheduled at the Riding Park, except for two that were relocated to another venue (the Los Angeles Equestrian Center). Simultaneously, USEF began the process of seeking alternative competitive opportunities for competitors affected by the indefinite closure.”
In an effort to ensure exhibitors would have access to USEF shows on the dates involved, a competition application process was begun for organizers who met USEF standards, license criteria and had a venue. There were 21 applications submitted, including by the Ridland Group, for the time period from June into September.
The Ridland Group announced May 20 it had reached an agreement with Coastkeeper and the city of San Juan Capistrano, which would allow horse shows to resume operations at the Riding Park. The court-approved agreement includes improvements to the Riding Park and corresponding deadlines for completion. Failure to satisfy the requirements in a timely manner will result in substantial financial penalties against the Ridland Group, USEF stated.
Sarah Spinuzzi, legal director of Coastkeeper, a California regional nonprofit protecting water quality, explained “the facility is going to be re-graded such that storm water from the equestrian stabling areas (known legally as the CAFO Production Area) will be retained on-site by June 3. This grading will prevent discharges of stormwater and wash-rack water to the creek. The facility will use the large grass field to pond retained stormwater.
“Over the rest of this year, the facility will work to improve infiltration infrastructure to be more professionally engineered so that rain events will not cause flooding and will be functional for the facility’s intended use. Future plans also require groundwater monitoring wells to ensure the protection of water quality.”
According to a posting by the City of San Juan Capistrano, in 2018, it entered into a consent decree with Coastkeeper and the Ridland Group to resolve litigation arising from alleged water quality violations at the City’s Riding Park property. It required completion of three water quality projects: removal of an Arizona Crossing (an unpermitted manmade road through San Juan Creek connecting Reata Park and the Riding Park, composed of construction debris, asphalt, broken concrete, metal and corrugated pipe); restoration of the creek bank and completion of a water quality improvement that would prevent stormwater runoff from entering San Juan Creek. The city completed removal of the Arizona Crossing and restoration of the creek bank within the timeframe required under the consent decree. Under a 2023 lease agreement with the city, the Ridland Group accepted responsibility to fund and complete the remaining water quality improvement project by April 15, 2024.
In considering the allocation of 2024 competition, USEF considered member feedback, the court order and findings of a recent inspection of the Riding Park by the federation.
The re-ordered calendar provides the Riding Park time to complete the required improvements. It also offers competitors a choice of venues, should they seek an alternative to the Riding Park, or if the Riding Park is unable to operate. Providing sufficient competitive opportunities to members is a priority for USEF, according to the federation.
Blenheim Equisports will keep five of its 10 shows at the Mission Viejo Riding Park. They include the Blenheim June Classic June 26-30, the Blenheim Summer Festival July 18-21, the Blenheim Racing Festival July 25-28, the Blenheim Fall Tournament, Sept. 11-15 and the Blenheim International Jumping Festival Sept. 18-22.
The dates for the Blenheim June Classic 1 and 2 Shows June 12-16 and June 19-23, are now LA Classic 1 and 2. They will be at LAEC under the auspices of West Palm Event Management. On June 26-30, West Palm will run LA June Classic 3 at LAEC.
HITS will present the Adequan National Junior Hunter Championship West and pending USHJA approval, the USHJA Gladstone Cup July 22-24 at Del Mar, and from July 25-28, the Del Mar Summer Spectacular.
Nilforushan Equi Sport is staging Temecula Valley National Autumn 1 and 2 at Galway Downs Sept. 11-15 and 18-22.
The location of the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, originally set for the Riding Park, will be announced in the coming weeks.