Pebble Beach Equestrian Center

The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center is a historic equestrian center in Pebble Beach, California. Founded in 1924 by developer Samuel F.B. Morse, it is a boarding stable that sponsors riding lessons, horse shows, and had team trials for the 1960 Summer Olympics. The Equestrian Center has a 100-year history. People from all around the world have come to the Equestrian Center, including Jackie Kennedy and the Beatles. Alois Podhajsky of the Spanish Riding School came to judge and instruct at the Equestrian Center. Movies have been made at the Equestrian Center, including Susan Slade starring Connie Stevens in 1961.

History


In 1920, Samuel F.B. Morse, the developer of Pebble Beach, California, cleared a field near the present-day Equestrian Center. This was initially intended as an airstrip, catering to the aviation enthusiasts among the resorts' visitors and landowners who piloted their own small aircraft. As the number of residents in Del Monte Forest increased, so did the demand for boarding stables to accommodate their horses.

In 1924, Morse hired Fred Ruhl to build a quadrangle-style of stables with an open rectangular interior courtyard made of simple board-and-batten that cost $12,000 to build. The main purpose of this structure was to function as a boarding stable for the residents' horses. They are next to an extensive network of forested and ocean-front bridle trails covering almost 100 mi maintained by Del Monte Properties.

In 1928, Grace Douglas (1880-1968) opened the Douglas School for girls and hired Richard "Dick" Collins (1908-1984), a skilled horseman, as the business manager and athletic director. The school organized riding lessons, polo, an annual Gymkhana, and horse shows at the Pebble Beach stables. In 1941, Collins was chosen to oversee the equestrian facilities in Pebble Beach. However, before he could assume the role, World War II erupted, and he enlisted. After the war, Collins returned to the Monterey Peninsula and took over the management of the Pebble Beach stables, which were later renamed the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Over the following three decades, Collins transformed Pebble Beach into a significant equestrian hub.

On June 30, 1933, an article in the Carmel Pine Cone noted, "Situated in the heart of the Monterey Peninsula's incomparable beauty are the Pebble Beach stables. Here at Pebble Beach can be found horses to suit the abilities of everyone. From willing but gentle horses, to spirited jumpers, polo ponies, and horses with all gaits. Here, too, at Pebble Beach are broad fields, an excellent assortment of jumps and a large circular track for racing, or where the beginner can practice and rest at ease."

The Equestrian Center quickly expanded its offerings to encompass a variety of equestrian activities. It served as the backdrop for numerous film scenes, featuring the 1944 MGM production National Velvet, starring Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as the 1961 film Susan Slade, starring Connie Stevens and Troy Donahue.

On August 4, 1946, Collins hosted the first Pebble Beach Summer Horse Show, featuring 87 participants competing in 15 distinct classes. The event progressively grew and became an annual event. In 1954, he founded America's first Pony Club, modeled after the English approach to training young riders. Collins also took charge of managing the U.S. Equestrian Team's three-day event for the 1955 Pan American Games in Chicago, and the team trails for the 1960 Rome Olympics were held at the center. On September 14 and 15, 1960, the U.S. 1960 Summer Olympics dressage trials were conducted at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center hosted under Collins' leadership.



The Pebble Beach Road Races, started along Portola Road near the Equestrian Center, were held in Pebble beach from 1950 through 1956. Not all the "track" was paved. The original 1950 route consisted of both paved two-lane roads and sections of dirt or loose gravel. The equestrian center occupied some of the space on the infield by the old start/finish line. The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, annual automotive event, was founded in 1950 as an addition to the Pebble Beach Road Race. Due to heavy rain at the event in 1963 and 1965, that made the lawn area unusable, the cars were shown at the old start/finish line of the Pebble Beach road race, near the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.

In 1966, Col. Alois Podhajsky, of the Spanish Riding School, came to judge and instruct the national dressage championships at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Trials.

Later Years & Expansion


In 1970, a hay barn was incorporated into the facility. Following Dick Collins' retirement, the facility underwent additional expansions overseen by Abby and Jay Foss (1980 – 1984), Derek and Bea diGrazia (1984 – 1992), and Tim Postel (1992 – 2013). These enhancements comprised the addition of 20 stalls and the construction of a Polo Barn. Furthermore, the Pebble Beach Summer Horse Trials were reinstated and expanded during this period. In 1984, Derek diGrazia and Bea assumed the roles of directors at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. At that point, the center functioned as a diverse equestrian operation, organizing A-rated horse shows and dressage shows. Derek handled the design aspects for the show jumping classes during the horse shows, while Bea managed the dressage shows. Throughout the years, they trained numerous event riders at the center and played a crucial role in developing numerous horses for the sport of eventing.

The Pebble Beach Company assumed management of the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center on July 1, 2013, marking the initial instance since the era of Dick Collins. Consequently, the Equestrian Center had a team of 15 employees full-time and an additional five working part-time dedicated to providing care for our horses and riders throughout the year. The stables housed approximately 60 horses, with about half privately owned and the other half participating in the trail and riding lesson programs.

On March 4, 2023, David Stivers, CEO of Pebble Beach Company, announced the closure of the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center as "no longer economically viable," after operating as a loss for many years and the need for $15 million of renovations. There are currently no plans for the property after its closure in June. A petition was initiated with the aim of keeping the center open.