Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek

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

Special ECWC Event: Blessing of the Animals 
Sat. Oct. 3rd, 11:00 am, Rain or Shine!
Download flyer For more info, go to: Angels for Minis on Facebook

~ PRIVATE EVENT ~

The Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek Riding Arenas 
ARE OPEN
** 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

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SIGN OUR PETITION 
to help us keep The Equestrian Center in Heather Farm Park. Thank you!!!

Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you as soon as possible
Oops. An error occurred.
Click here to try again.
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!
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!
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! 

ARENA MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
This Saturday, 9/26/2020
Kim Bredehoft will bring her Horse & Rider Connection Youth Gymkhana Team to the Equestrian Center Riding Arenas for another Saturday practice on Sat, Sept 26th. They will be using the large arena but are ok with arena members using the small arena while they are there. Please check in with Kim if you go. This talented group has had several practices at the ECWC Arenas in 2020. Is your child interested in learning how to ride? Contact Kim at kimshorsetraining@gmail.com 

Goldie Schnitzer and Rory's Dressage GOLD demo 8/1/20

Join us for our 

Wonderful World of Horses Series 


Saturdays, June 20th - Aug 1st

(excluding July 4th) 

10-11 am at the ECWC Arenas in #heatherfarmpark 


Sat Aug. 1st featuring Dressage GOLD! 

Watch this dressage demo this Saturday by going to the ECWC Facebook Page to see our LIVE streaming video or come outside to watch ringside at our arenas in Heather Farm Park. Goldie Schnitzer and her gorgeous horse, Rory, will perform many movements of Dressage to a Patriotic program of music and demonstrate 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, IF YOU COME TO THE ARENAS:

Wear a Mask and Social Distance, 

thank you!


This event will also be 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!

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