Friday, April 26, 2024 (1:10 pm)

OC Fairground’s equestrian center rebranded to The Ranch Community Equine Center

COSTA MESA (April 26, 2024) – At yesterday’s OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) Board of Directors meeting, CEO Michele Richards expanded on the new vision for the current equestrian center at the fairgrounds. Rebranded as The Ranch Community Equine Center, the facility will focus on community programming for all while maintaining the current boarding and training activities. 

The Ranch Community Equine Center will effectively become an extension of the organization’s agriculture education programs in support of its mission, similar to the free public programming offered at Centennial Farm.

The Board has been working to continue the organization’s emphasis on education and to expand opportunities for the public to interact with, learn about and enjoy hands-on experiences with horses. The vision also includes providing equine-assisted therapy for veterans and others, conducting educational tours for students and community groups, hosting horse shows free to the public and developing hands-on equine exhibits.

“I’m very encouraged to see this new vision continue to move forward,” said Board Chair Nick Kovacevich. “It’s great to offer access to a broader group of public constituents who otherwise would never have the chance to experience these wonderful animals.”

At last month’s meeting, the Board voted to increase rental rates for current boarders to cover OCFEC’s costs for operating the boarding and training activities at the center. The Board also agreed that staff should continue to look for ways to reduce costs and pass along those savings in the form of rental reductions. Richards announced today that basic stall rental rates will be cut by $151 per month from the rates presented at the March Board meeting. Effective June 15 rental increases will be phased in three steps, resulting in the final increase on January 1, 2025, to $979 per month for a standard 12’x12’ stall.

“Now that we’ve provided a more optimistic outlook regarding rates at the equestrian center for boarders and trainers, I’m glad that staff can now focus on building on the bold public vision for The Ranch Community Equine Center,” said Richards.