On August 1st, the “Orange County Fair and Event Center” in Costa Mesa closed all nine practice areas of its Equestrian Center. The reason behind the closure was that the new contracts signed by horse owners renting the premises did not align with the original contract proposed by the OC Fair Board, whose members are appointed by the governor.
Four training arenas, two equestrian arenas, and three round pens were all closed and locked up. An OC Fair staff member was stationed under a sunshade, overseeing the deserted area. In contrast to the adjacent bustling “Always a Good Time!” carnival activities, the atmosphere here was eerily quiet. Horseback riding classes for children that are usually popular during the summer had been canceled since June.
Private horse owner, Macki Hamblin, expressed, “The horses are confined to the stables and cannot access the facilities.” They hoped to engage in dialogue with the Board to negotiate a resolution. However, the OC Fair Board canceled the scheduled meeting on July 17th. Hamblin received a notice on July 27th stating, “You submitted a heavily amended contract, but that version is not acceptable.”
On June 15th, Hamblin and other tenants received eviction notices, stating that their leases were expiring, and they had 30 days to vacate the premises and relocate their horses. Failure to comply would result in legal action, including rent compensation, litigation fees, and attorney costs.
With only a two-week window to sign new contracts, Hamblin mentioned that the original OC Fair contract had only one vague sentence stating the provision of feeding, stable cleaning, and facility maintenance services by external contractors. As a result, horse owners modified the contract to include specific clauses like nighttime lighting, tenant parking permits, feeding and cleaning of horses, pest control, arena maintenance, and prompt repairs. Hamblin explained, “99% of the work here revolves around horse care and animal welfare, so we amended the terms and signed. We have done this before in the past.”
The Equestrian Center, operated by private contractors, is part of the public outreach program of OC Fair, similar to the “Century Farm” and “Heroes Hall.” Gibran Stout, founder of “OC Vaulting” company operating at the Equestrian Center for 11 years and chairman of the Orange County Equestrian Alliance, voiced concern, saying, “My project is here, the children involved are here. If it gets canceled, it’s gone forever.”
The short-term contracts were deemed unstable by Hamblin. Horse owners have been asked three times this year to resign contracts, with the latest one contending with a six-month term from June 15th. Horse owners had five rights but had to meet 15 demands. Additionally, monthly rents had increased by 55%, from $644 for a 12×12-foot stall to $979 this year.
Horse owners hoped for contracts that specified work scopes for both parties, reasonable fee structures, and standard definitions of services, and outlined how contract renewals would be handled to provide fair contract terms.
In December 2023, the grassroots organization “Save OC Horse” reported good news in a press release. Board members acknowledged that the Equestrian Center serves the public. A petition titled “Protect the Equestrian Center,” signed by over 4,000 residents, prompted this acknowledgment. More than 100 local residents crowded the meeting room, with some even spilling outside the building. Several residents spoke in favor of the Equestrian Center, highlighting its benefits such as equine therapy for issues like veteran PTSD, aiding foster youths, and serving underserved communities.
Orange County Supervisor and former Costa Mesa Mayor, Katrina Foley, also delivered remarks during the meeting. Recalling her upbringing in a rural area and owning a horse, she emphasized the valuable life lessons horses offer in independence, discipline, empathy, and care for nature and animals. Foley stressed that equestrianism is a part of Orange County’s history and should be supported rather than eliminated. In 1889, the Orange County Community Fair Company was established, showcasing livestock and horse racing. Post-World War II, the 32nd District Agricultural Association was formed in California, and it took over the OC Fair.
However, OC Fair Board Chairman Nick Kovacevich questioned whether private businesses and owners could guarantee public access to these facilities and reap the aforementioned benefits. Kovacevich, who took office in May 2020, was previously the CEO of Orange County-based public company KushCo Holdings, which sells cannabis packaging products, containers, and accessories.
On January 25th, OC Fair decided to implement a new vision, with Kovacevich stating, “This is an opportunity for OC Fair to promote agricultural-related educational and entertainment programs to the public, allowing the community to interact with horses and learn about them.” However, the Board terminated the private operator and existing operational model.
Currently occupying 150 acres, OC Fair includes the exhibition area, the Century Farm, Heroes Hall, arenas/showgrounds, outdoor theaters, and the Equestrian Center. It hosts over 150 events annually, attracting more than 4 million visitors and generating profits in the tens of millions. The Board has devised an overall plan costing $229 million, spanning from 2023 to 2033, for the phased construction and maintenance of multiple buildings. In January 2023, a $25 million plan for a new administrative building was approved and is anticipated to be completed by year-end.
Established in 1980, the Equestrian Center was halved in 2003 to occupy 7.5 acres, with the other half converted to a parking lot. The current situation is worrisome, according to Hamblin, who mentioned reaching out to state lawmakers from both parties and other officials, but the issue remains unresolved, with uncertainty about the next steps.