Continuing To Protect A Vital Equestrian Resource In the Conejo Valley; Submitted by Sharyn Henry, Corral 37 President

The last two months have been busy for Equestrian Trails, Inc. Corral 37 in Thousand Oaks. We have been focused on maintaining our Conejo Creek Equestrian Park and stopping a proposed concept plan by the Conejo Recreation and Park District, owner of the property.

Proposed additions are:

• Adding pickleball courts
• Adding an RC car activity area
• Reducing the size of the horse trailer parking lot
• Removing the dressage arena for expanded community garden space
• Replacing a warm-up arena with a picnic area

We have a long-standing relationship with CRPD…working together for many years to continue the legacy of equestrian uses at the park.

Over the course of May and June, ETI Corral 37 has worked hard to raise awareness in the equestrian community and the area community. Forming a Coalition to Save Conejo Creek Equestrian Park has raised awareness throughout Ventura County working with the California State Horseman’s Association and UC Davis to learn ways to preserve our equestrian heritage.

Some of the ways we’ve shared the importance of the horse park…

• A petition was created and circulated through door-to-door flyers, posting flyers on information boards throughout the city, email lists and more. More than 1300 petitions were completed by citizens in the area wanting to keep the horse park as is, no changes.

• A member of the horse community and a lawyer in the area, Tyler Linberg, has been instrumental. He has researched agreements with CRPD and ETI37 over the years regarding appropriate uses of the park and long-term intentions of CRPD.

• One of our park users works with the Equine Empowerment Foundation. As their Executive Director and Lead Instructor, Jasmine focuses on training neurodivergent riders. She emphasizes the importance of building confidence and instilling horsemanship skills. The riders love the peacefulness of the park and wide-open space.

• Every two weeks members of the community have spoken to the five Board of Directors of CRPD about proposed changes to the equestrian park and the potential effect. Long time equestrians, members of the community that want to maintain the ruralness of the park, youth that ride their horses daily in the arenas, riders from years past that have shared the impact and formation of who they are as adults from the equestrian way of life.

• During the recent Sandy fire in Simi Valley, ETI37 opened corrals to evacuees. More than a dozen horses were safe, fed and cared for by ETI37 members and CRPD assisted with light and generator for the dark hours.

• ETI37 held a community information session at the arenas during the June 20 gymkhana. Discussions were lengthy and notes were taken. Three CRPD Board of Directors came to the gymkhana to see first-hand the horse community in action.

• During the Conejo Valley Days, members of ETI37 spoke with attendees at their booth to education them about possible unwanted changes at the horse park and how they can help preserve the space.

Our volunteers have spent many hours in meetings with the Coalition planning committee, California State Horseman’s Association, attending and speaking at Conejo Recreation and Parks Department board meetings, hosting informational meetings, conversations with CRPD board members

How You Can Help

● Sign our petition: https://forms.gle/b1mMLRntNrE97HmE6

● Attend public meetings when possible

● Share respectful, constructive feedback with decision-makers

● Help raise awareness within the community

● Follow: @eticorral37 on Instagram or Facebook

● Follow the Coalition to Save Conejo Creek Equestrian Park:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589091924339
https://www.instagram.com/coalitionccep/nd

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