The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park is ready to host California horse shows in the new year after the Ridland Group completed a state-of-the-art plan to capture stormwater originating from its facility in San Juan Capistrano, according to a joint statement from that entity and the Orange County Coastkeeper organization.
The new infrastructure will keep contaminated storm water out of San Juan Creek, an important waterway that supports aquatic habitat and flows into Doheny State Beach. The plan resolves Orange County Coastkeeper’s concerns and cements the two groups’ alliance in support of clean water.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to the Ridland Group for completing this project ahead of schedule,” said Garry Brown, founder and president of Orange County Coastkeeper.
“We are excited to observe the new system during the upcoming rainy season and are confident in its success.”
Coastkeeper hopes the stormwater capture system can serve as a national model, proving that large-scale equestrian centers can be effective watershed stewards.
“This is a huge stride forward for the equestrian community,” said Hillary Ridland, CEO of the Ridland Group.
“With this accomplished, we can get started on all of the upgrades we have planned for the park. We thank Coastkeeper for its cooperation as we found our way to the finish line.”
In May, the U.S. Equestrian Federation reorganized major shows on the Southern California spring/summer calendar in the wake of Coastkeeper’s decision earlier in the month to bar any equestrian activities involving more than 25 horses from the Riding Park.
The indefinite closure was due to failure of the Ridland Group to comply with requirements and commitments made under a 2018 consent decree involving water quality, according to USEF. The Ridland Group also is run by Hillary’s husband, USEF show jumping chef d’equipe Robert Ridland.
According to a posting by the City of San Juan Capistrano, it entered the 2018 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 by April 15, 2024, several of which were done by the city.
When the work was not completed, a competition application process for the Riding Park’s dates 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 period from June into September.
The city, the Ridland Group and Coastkeeper reached agreement in mid-May on an amendment to the consent decree that extended the Ridland Group’s project completion timeline, allowing equestrian events at the venue. Blenheim Equisports kept five of its 10 shows at the Riding Park.Two Blenheim shows also were held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
Some show calendar decisions for California in 2025 are pending.