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Fort Ord could get horse park, move likely to boost S.F. Olympic bid.

J. Michael Rivera, The Californian

October 13, 2002— A local equestrian group unveiled plans Sunday for a horse park at the former Fort Ord, saying it could help San Francisco win its bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics -- and even bring some events to Monterey County.

"We're at the threshold of a perfectly marvelous opportunity," said Bob Etienne, a board member for the group, Monterey Horse Park.

The organization presented its ideas for a 340-acre equestrian park to a group of Monterey County mayors, Olympic organizers and members of the media.

Next month, the U.S. Olympic Committee is expected to choose either San Francisco or New York City as America's choice to play host to the games.

The proposed equestrian center at Fort Ord is included in a 100-page executive summary that the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee -- the agency working to bring the 2012 Summer Games to San Francisco -- will send today to the U.S. Olympic Committee, said Anne Cribbs, president and chief executive officer of the Bay Area group.

"The Monterey Horse Park is a critical piece of our bid," she said. "The summary is what the (Olympics committee) bases their vote on, and this park is truly an Olympic dream."

The horse board is working with area mayors and the Fort Ord Reuse Authority organizers to bring the equestrian park to Fort Ord. The group wants to build the park regardless of whether San Francisco gets to host the Olympics.

The proposed center would be in the former Parker Flats area in the geographic center of the former military base, northwest of the proposed veterans' cemetery.
The horse site also borders a 7,800-acre Bureau of Land Management area with trails for horses, hikers and cyclists. The area will eventually expand to 14,000 acres, said Michael Houlemard, executive officer of the reuse authority.

Horse park board members haven't yet said what the equestrian center would cost, when construction would begin or who specifically would finance it. But those details should come soon, said Bob Enea, Monterey Horse Park president. "This will be a catalyst for the horse industry, so we'll be looking at (industry) sponsorship as well as companies that sponsor riding events," he said. "We'll also seek grants for foundations and donations from private individuals."

The park is planned for three phases of construction to allow organizers to build funding support and best serve the equestrian riding and racing community, he said.
If approved, it would include:

* 15 competition arenas on a 15-arce piece of land at the north side of the park.
* Several barns with stalls for 12,000 horses.
* A 6,500-meter cross-country course, a 50-foot wide track that winds through a large forested area of the park that will be preserved as an oak habitat.
* Large, grassy fields for show jumping events.
* Parking space for more than 1,000 vehicles.
* Up to 150 recreational vehicle campsites.
* A veterinarian clinic, Society for the Prevention of Curelty to Animals horse rescue center and therapeutic and riding facilities for people with disabilities.

"Whether we get the Olympic bid or not, we will have a legacy to pass off to our grandchildren," Cribbs said.