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
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 Olympicsdressage 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]
^"It's Stirrup Cup Time". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. August 23, 1966. p. 21. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
^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.
