Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek

Providing recreation, education, and wellness through
Equestrian Center activities in Heather Farm Park

Time to Renew your Membership to ECWC for 2021 ! Please download forms from the Membership tab above or contact our Membership Chair Sue Howell at Membership@ECWC.org or call 925-939-2929. 

Several citizens and Equestrian Center Members have concerns about the approval of this proposed development. Please see letter below from Michele Sheehan with Sensible Walnut Creek:

In the NW corner of Heather Farm Park, adjacent to the horse arena parking area, a developer is proposing a massive development at Seven Hills Ranch.  Spieker Senior Development Partners (spk.com) wants to build a gated compound of multi-story buildings encompassing 451 living units, along with a clubhouse, a recreation building, and a health care center for the project’s residents. 

We have formed a group, Sensible Walnut Creek, that is urging the public to act now and go to the website sensiblewalnutcreek.com to understand the developer's plans, sign and add a comment to the online petition, and get on our "weekly update" mailing list to stay informed. Please ask your membership to visit the website now. The project is NOT a done deal; escrow will not close unless the developer gets some concessions from the County. We are asking the County to deny those concessions. Please ask your membership to support our efforts.
Michele Sheehan Sensible Walnut Creek

TO CONTACT WALNUT CREEK CITY COUNCIL ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
Please send an email asking that the Council delay action on this item. Add any other details you might think relevant about Seven Hills Ranch but don't feel it has to be a long or detailed email. One or two sentences can work (longer is okay too.)
  • Submit your comments to  PublicComments@walnut-creek.org
  • The subject area of your email should read:  PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR SEVEN HILLS RANCH
  • Begin your email by identifying yourself and how long you have lived in Walnut Creek.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION BY PROVIDING YOUR INFO BELOW 
Would you like to see the Equestrian Center stay in Heather Farm Park? We are not currently in the Master Plan for the park and we would like to show the city that there is plenty of interest from Walnut Creek Residents and others to keep us there. Please provide your contact info below to add your name to our petition. We will let you know when we need to take action-- write letters, emails, or attend meetings - to protect the future of the Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek.
Thank you!!!

The Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek Riding Arenas 
ARE OPEN FOR ARENA MEMBERS AND EVENTS
** Please read CV19 Safety protocol below **
Questions? Email: President@ecwc.org
or call 925-939-2929 

 

ECWC ARENAS ARE OPEN!

MEMBERS: ALWAYS check our  calendar to see if there is a special event or if weather requires closure before driving to the arenas!

Questions? email VP@ecwc.org  You must be a 2020 arena member to ride your horse at will in our beautiful arenas. Go to the membership tab above for more info about joining the ECWC or email our membership Chairperson Sue Howell at

Membership@ecwc.org Questions about riding in the arenas? Comments? Please email our Vice-President Therese Caples at 

VP@ecwc.org or call 925-939-2929

2020 ECWC Officers
             President: Heather Kozy             

President@ecwc.org

Vice-President: Therese Caples

Secretary: Marilynn Terstegge 
Treasurer: Nina Dickerson
Please go to the Contact Us tab under MORE(drop down tab) to see the names of all 2020 Board Members & Committee Chairs!

Welcome to the Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek!


Thank you for visiting our website. The Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek is located in the back of Heather Farm Park. If you take a left at the dog park, you will find us. We are small but mighty and we hope you will help us to keep the Equestrian Center open for many years to come. 


Many are not aware that Heather Farm was actually a thoroughbred racehorse training facility, back in the 1920's. But, as they say, times changed and sadly the facility was closed. The good news is Heather Farm Park was opened to the public in 1970 by the city of Walnut Creek and the Equestrian Center was built by the efforts of local equestrians and volunteers. 


One can only imagine what it was like in the 1920's with horses all over Heather Farm. Now, the only part left in Heather Farm related to horses are the 2 arenas. By the support of donations, members and volunteers, it has been kept open. 


Heather Farm is a wonderful open space, with so many things to enjoy. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, community center, Skate Park, volleyball court, fishing pond, nature pond, six athletic fields, a dog park, The Gardens and the Equestrian Center. There are restrooms and a connection to the Iron Horse Hiking Trail.


The Equestrian Center, which we consider the best part of Heather Farm, is run by a non-profit organization with the main purpose of keeping the 2 riding arenas maintained and open. We welcome any support, donations and would especially love you to join us by becoming a member. The more members we have, the bigger effect we have in the community to keep the Equestrian Center open. You do not need to have a horse to join the Equestrian Center; you only need to have the love of horses in your blood.


We have many events throughout the year and all are welcome. Admission is always free for spectators. If you check our calendar page, you can make plans to come and watch the next event, there are bleachers to sit on and a restroom, so all in the family will be comfortable. We have a great Snack Shack, full of tasty treats. So you not only get to enjoy watching the horses, you also get great food to go with it.


We love to educate our members and the public about horses. Horses can do so many wonderful things, and for some reason, they are kind and willing enough to let us do it with them. They are not only magnificent to look at but they are also kind and gentle if treated correctly. You do not need to ride them to enjoy them. Just the sight, smell or touch of these creatures can bring a smile to the old and young.


What can you do to help us keep the arenas open and to keep horses in Heather Farm? You can become a member, come to our events, volunteer with us for the events or help us maintain the arenas, buildings and immediate surrounding areas. Please go to our membership page to find out how to join. Of course we love donations as well. If you have money to spare, we have things to fix or replace!


We do not stable horses onsite and we do not give trail rides. If you go to local barns and trainers on our site you will find places that do. We do rent out our arenas for showing and events. Please go to arena rentals on our site for more information.


If you join you will make new friends, you will become more social, and best of all you will be helping us keep the Equestrian Center open for the future. Thank you for visiting, and please spread the word, there are horses in Heather Farm.


Written By Gaye DeRusso, Past President ECWC


 Professional Photos and Videos on our Website are courtesy of 

Bill Grant, https://www.youtube.com/smallbullproductions

Alan Myers http://www.amfoto1.exposuremanager.com

Andreas Koch http://www.akdesigninc.com/ 

Michele Nelson http://www.nelsonpics.com/

We had another fantastic work day for the 2019 Walnut Creek Community Service Day (picture from 2017). Thanks to everyone who helps us keep the ECWC  riding arenas in great shape! Click here to see Walnut Creek TV's video footage shot at a past service day event at ECWC! 

Join us for our 

Wonderful World of Horses Series 

Learning about horses, breeds and riding

Saturdays Mornings

June-Aug  

(2021 dates and events TBA) 

10-11 am at the ECWC Arenas in #heatherfarmpark 


To see an example of one of our 2020 World of Horse Demos go to the ECWC Facebook Page to the videos section to see the video from Aug. 1st. Goldie Schnitzer and her gorgeous horse, Rory, performed Dressage movements to a Patriotic program of music and demonstrated Natural Horsemanship through love, language and leadership. 


The Olympic sport Dressage began in 1912. It comes from the word training in French. It’s purpose is to strengthen and supple the horse while maintaining a calm and attentive demeanor. Each test and progressively difficult levels makes the horse and rider achieve the goal of musical ballet.

Dressage is based around principles of the Imperial Spanish Riding School of Vienna est. in 1572.


PLEASE, WHEN YOU COME TO THE ARENAS:

Wear a Mask and Social Distance, 

thank you!


These events are generally available via facebook live, for more information about this event click here to go to our facebook page 

RSVP via World of Horses tab above.

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram, Click links below!
ECWC in the NEWS!!!
Click here to read an article covering the July 5th, 2017 visit by members and friends of the Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek to the Walnut Creek City Council meeting. The Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek will turn 60 years old next year, has a rich history, and is actively enjoyed by horse enthusiasts throughout the East San Francisco Bay Area.  Written by ECWC Member and CSHA Region 5 Trail Trial Chair, Andrew Turnbull  

Let 's help Walnut Creek Keep Its Historic Riding Arenas in Heather Farm Park!  Join us in the effort to update master plans for Heather Farm park to include ECWC for the enjoyment of many generations to come! If you have questions please email webmaster@ecwc.org 
Thanks for your support!
The Contra Costa County Fair  2020 Horse Show has been cancelled 
in Brentwood, CA .  CCC Independent Youth,  4-H and FFA Youth who show in it in may qualify to compete at the California State Fair!
 How do you get involved? Read on...!
Youth can participate in the  County Fair show as independent exhibitors, or by joining a local CA 4H Club (there are 9 clubs in Contra Costa County!), or the Future Farmers of America.
Registration for 4-H and FFA are held in September at the beginning of the school year. 

You can contact Jane VanderWerf by email at  webmaster@ecwc.org 
OR call 925-939-2929 for more info!
Our sincerest thanks to all of you who sent emails to the City of Walnut Creek leadership to encourage them to keep the Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek in Heather Farm Park. 
XOXO from all of us who want to keep it there, Members, friends and all!
#heatherfarmpark

ECWC wants to thank


Total Performance Equine 

for the Amazing Vet Clinic & BBQ they held at the ECWC arenas on Sat Nov 9th!


Hosted by Jamie Textor, DVM

Haley Casbeer, DVM

Also:

Boehringer Ingelheim

Concord Feed

Farmyard Darlings
Premier Equine Center


Thanks to the wonderful organizations who brought their horses and volunteers out for this special day to honor our Veterans: Zenorisity, Sonrise Equestrian Foundation, Rusty Halo and the Horse & Rider Connection.
Questions? Please call 925-939-2929