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Pebble Beach Equestrian Center

Coordinates: 36°34′25″N 121°57′23″W / 36.57361°N 121.95639°W / 36.57361; -121.95639
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Pebble Beach Equestrian Center
Pebble Beach Stables
Pebble Beach Equestrian Center
Location3300 Portola Road, Pebble Beach, California, US
Coordinates36°34′25″N 121°57′23″W / 36.57361°N 121.95639°W / 36.57361; -121.95639
Built1924; 100 years ago (1924)
Built byFred Ruhl
Built forSamuel F.B. Morse
Original useStables
Current useEquestrian facility
Architectural style(s)Ranch-style house
Equestrian Center is located in Monterey Peninsula
Equestrian Center
Equestrian Center
Location in Monterey County

The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center was 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. The center permanently closed in June 2024.

History

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Pebble Beach Equestrian Center Stables

In 1920, Samuel F.B. Morse, the developer of Pebble Beach, California, cleared a field near the present-day Equestrian Center to develop a boarding stables to accommodate residents' horses called the Pebble Beach Stables.[1] In 1924, Morse hired Fred Ruhl to build a quadrangle-style board and batten structure.[2][3] In 1928, Grace Douglas (1880-1968) opened the Douglas School for girls.[2][4][5] In 1941, the Pebble Beach stables was renamed the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.[2][3]

On August 4, 1946, the first Pebble Beach Summer Horse Show was held; it eventually became an annual event. In 1954, the U.S. Equestrian Team held a three-day training event for the 1955 Pan American Games in Chicago, and the team trails for the 1960 Rome Olympics were held at the center.[6][2][3] On September 14 and 15, 1960, the U.S. 1960 Summer Olympics dressage trials were conducted at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.[7] 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.[8]

Pebble Beach Equestrian Center Barn

Movies have been made at the Equestrian Center, including Susan Slade starring Connie Stevens in 1961.[9] In 1970, a hay barn was built into the facility and later a Polo Barn was created. Throughout the years, numerous event riders were trained at the center.[10] The Pebble Beach Company assumed management of the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center on July 1, 2013,[2]

On March 4, 2023, 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.[3]

The center permanently closed in June 2024[11] and demolished in September.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Pebble Beach Plans Plane Landing Field". San Francisco Bulletin. San Francisco, California. February 10, 1920. p. 9. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Neal Hoteling (June 2014). "Forest News" (PDF). dmfpo.org. Pebble Beach, California. p. 3. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Molly Gibbs (March 4, 2023). "Pebble Beach Equestrian Center will permanently close in June". Monterey Herald. Monterey, California. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "Youngest Pebble Beach Girls Polo Team". Oroville Mercury Register. Oroville, California. June 9, 1930. p. 5. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "Children in Gymkhana". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. June 6, 1930. p. 14. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "Richard Collins". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. August 30, 1984. p. 31. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "Olympic Dressage Trials Slated for Pebble Beach". The Californian. Salinas, California. September 4, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "It's Stirrup Cup Time". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. August 23, 1966. p. 21. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Gail Harris (May 29, 1969). "Collins Keeps A Busy Stable". The Pacific Grove Tribune and Pebble Beach Green Sheet. Pacific Grove, California. p. 6. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Jaffer, Nancy (2020). Riding for the Team. Trafalgar Square Books. ISBN 978-1-57076-966-5. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "Pebble Beach Company to close its century-old equestrian center after years of losing money". March 4, 2024.
  12. ^ Tovar, Ricardo (September 11, 2024). "Pebble Beach Equestrian Center destroyed after 100 years". KSBW. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
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