MD/VA: Is there a need...

[horsegirl520]

...for a public cross country course in northern Montgomery County, MD? Would it be used? Would anyone host events there? Any thoughts/opinions/suggestions would be great!

http://www.equestrianpark.org/home.htm

[WNT]

Are you looking into having a park similar to Frying Pan Park outside of DC?

[horsegirl520]

Similar, but bigger.

[LexInVA]

Similar, but bigger.

I think it would be a great boon to the regional industry (though I've never heard of this park myself). FPP is being renovated but it's going to be a long and painful process to get it the way we really want it.

[tangledweb]

"Need" is probably a strong word. There are already quite a few XC courses around this part of the country, but they all get pretty well used. I am sure if it is built it will get regular use.

Note that it is in the master plan under future phases:
http://www.equestrianpark.org/pdf/implement.pdf

[horsegirl520]

Yes, but there is talk about not building it unless the public shows some demand... same with the steeplechase course. Senca Valley PC is not really interested in it other than to use the rings (whenever they are built) since they alreay have a XC course at the Kiplinger (sp?) property.

How extensive should the course be? What levels should be built? (I mean: What size jumps? I don't know the proper term in eventing -- can you tell I'm a h/j?)

[Koko]

A public XC course at Woodstock would be a GREAT thing, IMHO. I think it would get a lot of use, and a great place to hold HTs. Very nice property and very close to many eventers.

[Snapdragon]

For some reason, I thought a XC course was already in the plans, but I guess that's wrong. I think if they built it, lots of people would come. It's very convenient to many of us in western MD (much closer than Frying Pan Park, which I've been to more times than I can count--plus the added bonus of no toll road, which is getting more expensive) as well as those in Poolesville and surroundings and Frederick going east.

[Catalina]

Yes, yes, yes! Having a public park that close to so many of us would be awesome. Sure, there are several places to school close by (Loch Moy is only 10-15 minutes away), but $50 a horse gets expensive real quick. It would be nice to have the public park option.

Plus, if they scheduled events there, I could hack over from my best friend's place :winkgrin: (she lives a stone's throw away and, when I kept my horses at her place, we used to trail ride on the park land long before it was a park- about 8-12 years ago).

[Tazzie]

I know of 20+ riders that would utilize it!

[Fergs]

An XC course in Mo. Co. would certainly be used, but who would maintain it? Difficult Run Pony Club does all the maintenance on the XC course at Frying Pan and fully funds it, too.

If Seneca Valley PC isn't interested in taking stewardship, who will? Do you really think the park service will agree to take responsibility for an amenity that a very small segment of the population will use?

Many times these are great ideas in theory but much, much more complicated and difficult to actually execute.

That said, it's a perfect location for a new course that would most definitely get lots of use.

[horsegirl520]

FYI, there will be a board meeting/discussion on Woodstock on the 28th of July... the more public support that is shown, the more likely (and the sooner) it will happen...

[Ajierene]

An XC course in Mo. Co. would certainly be used, but who would maintain it? Difficult Run Pony Club does all the maintenance on the XC course at Frying Pan and fully funds it, too.

If Seneca Valley PC isn't interested in taking stewardship, who will? Do you really think the park service will agree to take responsibility for an amenity that a very small segment of the population will use?

Many times these are great ideas in theory but much, much more complicated and difficult to actually execute.

That said, it's a perfect location for a new course that would most definitely get lots of use.

Who keeps up with the one at Fair Hill? I could easily be wrong, but I did not think a Pony Club did - I was always under the impression that Fair Hill staff did.

Anyone know?

[Meredith Clark]

Fair Hill makes its money from Starter Trials and Schoolings ($30 a horse). I think it would be hard for a facility to be open for free schooling without an outside org. supporting it.

[gottagrey]

If you are talking about Woodstock - I think it's great they have this in their masterplan, however it saddens me somewhat that apparently an awful lot of money went towards building monument entry signs, and what's with the jumps on the left - is there a ring there - I've not seen them up close but from the road they almost look decorative rather than useful. Hermen Greenberg would love to have a top notch equestrian facility at Woodstock. I would for one, would love to have a public X-country course, but I would not recommend any level higher than Prelminary, if that, you are just courting disaster. Certainly something w/ Banks, ditches, water complex would be awesome.

The Horse Park of New Jersey has done some great things w/ their park - it's not a fancy fancy place but very very nice nonethless - they put the money where it counts - sensible stabling, good sized rings w/ good footing, a covered pavillion rather than "clubhouse" and a good X-country course. They also have good fundraising ideas - for example - memorial plaques placed around some of the rings - don't know if they were to pay for trees or ring - or both - but a good way to raise $$; Certain riding clubs also have a some kind of fundraising ride - like a charity 10K but w/ horses instead