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In Memoriam: Robert E. Smith
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One of the Horse Park’s founders, Robert Smith, has passed away following a battle with cancer. Smith was born in 1946 and grew up in Malibu. He started out riding on his parent’s ranch and originally competed in hunters and jumpers. In 1968 Smith transitioned to eventing and began training with Hilda Gurney at the Woodland Hills Pony Club. He had two very successful horses – Malibu Lad who competed through Intermediate and Timber Top who competed through Advanced including at the famous 1977 Ledyard International. Smith then lent Timber Top to Brian Sabo who would successfully ride him around Ledyard once again as well as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Smith moved to the Bay Area to work for the California Public Utilities Commission after graduating from UCLA with a master’s degree in Public Health. In 1976, he, along with Kay Hitch, Janey Bennett, Vicky Matisi, Jackie Ahl, and Sabo, founded the Combined Training Equestrian Teams Alliance (CTETA). “His dream was to create an ‘Adult Pony Club’ to foster horsemanship as a next step beyond Pony Club,” explained his friend Sabo. Eventually, CTETA became a nationwide organization, was an affiliate of the USCTA (now USEA), and had 22 “Combined Training Teams” with a similar structure to the U.S. Pony Clubs.
In 1982, CTETA, with Smith as President, leased a 272-acre piece of property in Woodside, owned by Stanford University and known as Guernsey Field, and began to host a wide range of equestrian activities for a number of different disciplines including eventing, hunter/jumpers, polo, driving, and reining. In 2005, the facility was renamed the Horse Park at Woodside.
“Bob’s influence on the sport was immeasurable and his legacy provides our sport benefits that will continue long into the future,” says Sabo. “Of course, a book could be written on Bob and his journey. But his legacy would be the furtherance of the sport he loved, and he would be happy with that.”
In his later years Smith took up combined driving and lived with his partner of 19 years, Andy Garcia, at their Handy Horse Farm in Wilton, California.
Our deepest condolences to all of Smith’s family, friends, and connections.
(Thanks to Leslie Mintz, U.S. Eventing Association for this tribute.)
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The Cross-Country
Course is open.
It is required that you schedule a timeslot ahead of your arrival. Please click here.
ARENAS Updated Friday 7/10/2020: Grand Prix Annex, Whiskey Hill, Mountain Home, Bay Arena, Bay Arena Annex, Four Winds, Four Winds Annex, Cross-Country, and the Exercise Track are OPEN. All Perimeter Trails are OPEN.
Please remain alert to your surroundings, do not leave valuables visible and notify the office of any unusual activity on The Horse Park grounds!
UPDATED 5/21/20
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice:
The Horse Park at Woodside is continuing to stay apprised of the reopening plans of San Mateo County and the State of California. We continue to follow recommendations from our local, state and federal government officials regarding the COVID-19 virus. We remain open to our members, and we ask that all who come to the property follow social distancing and hygiene practices as advised by the CDC. We are permitting riders to exercise and jump their horses(under strict guidelines) keeping in mind that the health and safety of our riders and horses remains our highest priority.
Following recommendations from the United States Equestrian Federation and governmental health agencies, we will not host any horse shows or major gatherings through June 30, 2020. Accordingly, the May and June shows, Polo practices, and clinics have been cancelled. Additionally, due to current county regulations and the preparation needed for certain shows, we have also cancelled the July 9-19 Reining By The Bay. We thank everyone for their understanding during this unprecedented time.
The Horse Park has implemented a face covering policy consistent with San Mateo County Order Number c19-8.
-Horse Park Management
ABOUT THE HORSE PARK AT WOODSIDE - July 2020
The Horse Park, established in 1981, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to land preservation and equestrian sport. Our land stewardship includes: invasive weed eradication; erosion control; native grass and plant restoration; a conscientious mowing plan for perpetuation of native grasses, weed abatement and fire prevention; and a native garden. Our equestrian programs encompass all that a premier equestrian facility has to offer: an international level cross country course, state-of-the-art footing, a covered arena, and 8 additional arenas.
We are unique to California and the West Coast as we encompass over 270 beautiful acres in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Horse Park is a wonderful refuge whether on foot or horseback, you can enjoy great vistas, the restorative power of nature and its simple beauty. In an effort to maintain this equine treasure, the Horse Park offers low cost memberships for both equine sports as well as for dog walking. Over the years it has been donations to our non-profit that have allowed this beautiful park to thrive. Everything we achieve, we do so because of generous individuals that share our vision and dedication to providing opportunities for educational, recreational and competitive activities in a variety of equestrian disciplines. We believe that The Horse Park at Woodside provides a balanced platform for the growth and development of youth and adults alike.
THE HORSE PARK MISSION STATEMENT
The Horse Park at Woodside is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides opportunities for educational, recreational and competitive activities in a variety of equestrian disciplines that encourage the growth and development of youth and adults.
The Horse Park at Woodside is committed to:
• Thoughtful stewardship of the land
• Providing broad access to land appropriate to equestrian use
• Adding value in the community
• Other activities compatible with equestrian uses