The Ridland Group is negotiating with the San Juan Capistrano City Council for management of the 40-acre Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in the city for the next 20 or 30 years. An expanded program for the faciity is being planned by the group, which since 1998 has managed the park that was the scene of several Olympic trials.
“Horses have been a cornerstone of the San Juan Capistrano community for decades, and the Riding Park has played an integral role,” said Hillary Ridland, chief executive officer of the Ridland Group and Blenheim EquiSports. She is the wife of U.S. show jumping coach Robert Ridland.
“We’re thrilled to be able to keep that equestrian culture alive and to allow it to further thrive with the introduction of new events for various riding disciplines and our continued commitment to bringing world-class competition here to Southern California,” she said.
In February, the San Juan Capistrano City Council began accepting bids from potential facility managers – both equestrian and non-equestrian – who would agree to completion of approximately $7 million in environmental improvements. In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the council directed its staff to finish negotiations and finalize details with the Ridland Group, whose proposal included an extensive engineering plan that would address the necessary environmental changes and prevent contaminated water from running off into the nearby San Juan Creek.
“We’re committed to being at the forefront of making the facility and equestrian sport as environmentally friendly as possible,” said Hillary Ridland. “We have secured the funding to complete the needed water infrastructure work and look forward to continuing to make The Riding Park better and even more accessible for the community as a whole.”
In addition to environmental improvements, the Ridland Group is already working to greatly expand the Riding Park’s event offerings. From March through September 2022, Blenheim EquiSports will host 14 weeks of top-level hunter/jumper competition, including the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA, to be held May 10-15. The event marks the first time the West Coast will host the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ that is a qualifier for the Cup final in Europe.
Beginning in 2022, The Ridland Group will also offer additional Western riding competitions, as well as a host of community-minded events produced in partnership with TAG Presents, including music festivals, comedy shows, free family-friendly activities, art shows, and more.
Speaking on behalf of the city council, incoming Mayor Derek Reeve remarked, “We are optimistic about the negotiations. I look forward to congratulating the Ridland Group following the final vote.