Riders Hope Equestrian Center Can Stay in the Community

Lush green grass, long winding trails, and the song-like neighing of horses doesn’t fill the ears of Angelenos often, but at the Peter Weber Equestrian Center in Rolling Hills Estates, riders experience it regularly.

The center is one of the last publicly owned stables in California, according to Andy Clark, the Director of City’s Community Services. However, the City Council has decided to hand over the stable’s reins to private owners due to financial losses over the past few years.

Tenna Rasmussen has been a loyal rider at the center for almost 20 years. She hopes the transition to private ownership doesn’t taint the way the stable is operated.

“I want everyone to still feel like they have a community barn to come to because that’s what it was like for me when I was a kid, and that was always really fun," said Rasmussen. "I’d like another generation of kids to be able to have that."

The equestrian center is 6 acres of equestrian trails and courses. It boards about 116 horses.

This rustic oasis allows people from many communities to escape the urban confines that often characterize Los Angeles.

“This is of course a very unique environment," said Clark. "People will come in from Los Angeles or even just Torrance right nearby, where it’s very urban and concrete."

The center draws in riders because of its unique atmosphere as well as the strong bonds students have formed with their trainers.

David Duckett’s son began his lessons only two years ago, but already Duckett is hesitant to separate him from his trainer. With new owners, Duckett isn’t sure of what to expect.

“I’m mostly concerned that the trainers may lose their contracts, so they would have to go somewhere else,” said Duckett, watching his son tend to his horse.

Many of the trainers say that they hope they can work out a similar contract with the private owners once the transition is complete, but they still have to keep their options open.

“The bottom line is, if I’m not satisfied and I'm not happy, I’ll move my horses somewhere else,” said Marilyn Schueller.

Without the trainers and a newly adopted focus on profit, Rasmussen worries that the kids today will not have the same positive riding experience that she had.

“This is such a great sport and it definitely kept me out of trouble as a kid. I hope it continues to do that for other kids as well,” said Rasmussen.

The city council said that they are working with the new owners to assure that the focus on community stays strong as they work their lawyers to finalize the change.