The buzz on the Sonoma Horse Park has been building since Ashley Herman returned to the hunter/jumper scene early last year to finish construction and manage this first-class show facility. The completion of what is currently nine rings, including a large Grand Prix field, has been the most tangible sign of plans for the site thus far, but much more of Herman’s far-reaching vision will be on display May 19-23, when the Equestrian Challenge kicks off the inaugural Sonoma Horse Park Series.

“We want to create a different model for shows,” says Herman. “We hope it will be an infusion of energy for the sport. We are working with exhibitors and the community to create something new and different.”
 
The Equestrian Challenge in May is a C-rated warm-up to six competitions. Four have USEF A ratings; one, the Equestrian Classic July 27-Aug. 1, carries the USEF’s AA distinction; and one will be “a C-rated show on steroids,” says Herman of the Giant Steps Charity Classic, slated for Aug. 4-8.

Veteran Northern California organizer Sally Hudson will manage all the shows and most are held on dates that she had for the popular competitions she ran at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center for many years.  In partnering with Hudson, Herman is confident that the Series’ mix of classes will be ideal for exhibitors throughout the West Coast.

The Sonoma Horse Park Series already has $270,000 earmarked for Classic prize money, and that number is growing. There’s plenty for professionals in the Open Jumper divisions, but Herman and Hudson were careful to share the wealth with classes geared toward amateurs. For example, there’s a $20,000 circuit prize on offer in the Circle Oak Amateur Hunter Challenge, an amateur friendly 3’-3’3” division.  Prizes rival the prize money. CWD Saddlery and Ariat are among the sponsors who’ve stepped up in the form of saddles, tack and gear for Sonoma winners.

The sister of Burgundy Farms trainer Meredith Herman and a former top junior competitor herself, Ashley Herman has been talking up the Sonoma series to exhibitors up and down the West Coast. She’s confident the Series will fulfill their suggestions and requests and exceed their expectations.
 
Vacation Destination
With a beautiful venue, located next to the Riverside Equestrian Center, Herman intends to capitalize on Sonoma as a wonderful destination for competitive equestrians and their families. Located right on the Petaluma River, the Horse Park typically enjoys 75 to 80 degree weather throughout the summer, often 10 degrees cooler than surrounding areas. The beautiful, pastoral Sonoma Valley is not far from San Francisco and is filled with wineries, internationally known restaurants, spas, golf and many other attractions.

Along with working with Hudson and new and old friends on the show circuit, Herman has been making inroads outside of the equestrian community to bring the best of both worlds together. Wine pairings and wine and food tastings, art exhibits and farmers’ markets are among the extras planned for all shows.

She’s been working with local officials and keeping the regional media abreast of the venue and the shows’ development. “We’ve had an amazing response from both equine vendors and local vendors,” Herman says. The big picture is a show that works equally well for participants and their families, sponsors and spectators.  VIP treatment, for example, goes the extra mile with ringside cabanas. A “man room” with flat screen TVs and sports and business journals will give an extra attendance incentive to husbands, fathers and others. The award winning catering company, Park Avenue Catering, is on tap to prepare food in the VIP area.

For the first season, Herman expects that the Equestrian Classic 1, July 27-Aug. 1, and the Giant Steps Charity Classic that follows will be the Horse Park’s biggest draws. They fall the two weeks before the Menlo Charity Show, giving out-of-town exhibitors a great reason to come to California for three straight weeks of first class competition. The Classic features a $30,000 Grand Prix and $10,000 each in the CWD Open Jumper Derby and an Open Hunter Derby. Plus, the schedule is loaded with Classics ranging in prize money from $1,000 in the Pony Hunters to $6,500 in the Jr/AO Jumpers.

As its name implies, the Giant Steps Charity Classic is a benefit for the therapeutic riding program of the same name, located at the Riverside Equestrian Center. Highlights include a $25,000 Grand Prix, Calcutta and gala, with more generous prize money in many divisions. With a great cause behind it and focus on making it a truly special show, Herman expects the Charity Classic to represent all that is possible with the new venue and the fresh take on show presentation.           

For more information on the Sonoma Horse Park Series, visit www.sonomahorsepark.com