Frequently Asked Questions

The following information is also included as a PDF file for download here.

Q1: I thought the Park was located somewhere else in the state, not in Cle Elum?
Q2: Won’t this Park detract from other competition venues?
Q3: What benefits me as a Member?
Q4: I donated money years ago, what did you do with it?
Q5: What kind of shows will be held there?
Q6: Will there be trails?
Q7: If I just want to come and ride, will there be a charge?
Q8: Do you have to be a member to use the Horse Park?
Q9: Why won’t there be rodeo or racing?
Q10: Will there be a polo field?
Q11: How will the Horse Park be used in the winter?
Q12: I thought this was Trendwest project?
Q13: Is this a time-share?
Q14: Who will manage it?
Q15: How have you determined that the Horse Park will be economically viable?
Q16: How have you determined what facilities will be needed? Have you involved the various equine disciplines in the planning process?
Q17: How much will it cost to build?
Q18: How many arenas will there be?
Q19: How many warm up rings/arenas are there?
Q20: What parking will there be for trucks and trailers?
Q21: How many stalls will there be?
Q22: Are there going to be showers?
Q23: What will be the size of the stalls?
Q24: Will there be boarding?
Q25: Will there be places to stay if one does not camp?
Q26: What kind of eating facilities will there be?
Q27: It seems I've been hearing about the Horse Park for many years. Why has it taken so long and is it ever going to happen?

Do you have a question that was not listed here? - send us an email:
info@washingtonstatehorsepark.org

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Q1: I thought the Park was located somewhere else in the state, not in Cle Elum?

• In the early 1990’s two locations were considered in Lewis County but neither one turned out to be suitable
• Currently, a number of Fairgrounds and similar venues are being marketed as horse parks, but none of them offers the caliber of facilities planned for the Washington State Horse Park.

Q2: Won’t this Park detract from other competition venues?

• The Washington State Horse Park is for all equestrians across the state. It will be of sufficient size to accommodate large national breed shows and FEI-size competitions for dressage, eventing, show jumping and the like.
• Because of a continuing loss of places to ride and compete, our state needs all the equestrian facilities we can produce. We believe that there is room for all.

Q3: What benefits me as a Member?

• At this critical point, your Membership:
• Demonstrates your commitment to local and state government officials who will be providing critical support and financing so that construction can take place.
• Brings you together with other fellow horse enthusiasts to shape the future of equestrian sports in our state.
• Gives you voting rights at the Annual Meeting
• In coming months, Members will receive other benefits leading up to and after the construction begins, including:
• Invitations to VIP events and receptions.
• Special discounts and offers
• We are currently working on other ways to make Membership a tangible reward for your support.

Q4: I donated money years ago, what did you do with it?

• If you joined as a Member of the WSHF, the funds have been used to pay for professional services to support planning and feasibility studies.
• If you made a donation to the building fund, it is being held in an account until such time as we start construction.
• We encourage you to keep your Membership current as this is how we advance the process of building the park.

Q5: What kind of shows will be held there?

• The facility will be able to accommodate a large show or multiple small shows or events for a variety of disciplines at any one time. Primary consideration is given to equestrian events, but if scheduling allows other events such as dog and cat shows, art shows, fairs, etc.

Q6: Will there be trails?

• Connections are planned to perimeter trails around the Suncadia Resort, the Coal Mine Trail and the Iron Horse State Park (the John Wayne Trail).
• Plans also include connecting to the backcountry trails in the adjacent National Forest.

Q7: If I just want to come and ride, will there be a charge?

• There will be a charge for parking your rig and most probably a nominal use fee.

Q8: Do you have to be a member to use the Horse Park?

• It will be open to all Washington residents. Usage fees are still to be determined.

Q9: Why won’t there be rodeo or racing?

• There are other more suitable sites in the state already available for these activities.

Q10: Will there be a polo field?

• Accommodation for a polo field is being considered.

Q11: How will the Horse Park be used in the winter?

• We recognize major equestrian events will subside during the winter. However many other activities and services can be provided during the cold months to take advantage of its facilities, such as indoor riding activities, clinics, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, snowmobile events, etc.

Q12: I thought this was a Trendwest project?

• No, the building of the Horse Park is a unique public/private project that will, upon completion, be owned and operated by the Horse Park Authority.

Q13: Is this a time-share?

• No, there is no timeshare planned for the Horse Park.

Q14: Who will manage it?

• The Washington State Horse Park Authority will manage the Horse Park, similar to the management structure used for the Washington State Convention Center.

Q15: How have you determined that the Horse Park will be economically viable?

• Extensive economic feasibility studies were conducted and later refined and updated by outside professionals.
• initial assumptions and analyses involved detailed input from 37 existing horse parks, over 50 equestrian groups, and interviews with more than 100 individual equestrians.
• initial input was later refined by systematic, indepth interviews with 10 park directors of state level facilities that host local, state and national events.
• a variety of utilization and cost assumptions were modeled to provide a range of economic scenarios that were determined to be acceptable.
• Currently, the Financial Feasibility and Economic Benefits Study is being updated again. Input on utilization assumptions are being gathered from leaders identified within the various equine disciplines.
• The Horse Park will be built in phases, with the most revenue-generating facilities available first.

Q16: How have you determined what facilities will be needed? Have you involved the various equine disciplines in the planning process?

• As with the economic feasibility studies, representatives of the various equine disciplines have been, and continue to be, extensively involved in designing the type and scope of facilities needed for the Horse Park to be successful.

Q17: How much will it cost to build?

• Initial development is estimated at $15 million for the arenas, barns and courses.
• The Authority Board has submitted a request to the state Legislature out of next year’s budget so that construction can begin in 2007.

Q18: How many arenas will there be?

• There will be one large indoor arena and several outdoor arenas.

Q19: How many warm up rings/arenas are there?

• There will be a sufficient amount of warm up area to accommodate a large show such as a regional dressage championship.

Q20: What parking will there be for trucks and trailers?

• Large rig parking is planned with pull-through

Q21: How many stalls will there be?

• Initially 100 permanent stalls are planned, with extra accommodations being filled with portable stalls. At full build out there could be 400 permanent stalls.

Q22: Are there going to be showers?

• There will be showers for people (and wash stalls for horses!)

Q23: What will be the size of the stalls?

• 10 ft. x12 ft.

Q24: Will there be boarding?

• Boarding with a trainer or as a Suncadia resident will be determined at a later date. It is possible that it will be allowed.

Q25: Will there be places to stay if one does not camp?

• Accommodations will be available at Suncadia Resort and at hotels and motels throughout the area.

Q26: What kind of eating facilities will there be?

• There will be concessions on site for major activities, and there are many restaurants in the Cle Elum area as well as those planned for the resort.

Q27: It seems I've been hearing about the Horse Park for many years. Why has it taken so long and is it ever going to happen?

• Any project of this magnitude takes time; for a summary of the key events leading up to mid-2006 please refer to the .pdf "History" document.
  We are delighted that after many years of negotiations and planning, the Horse Park has reached a major turning point in late 2006. The developers of Suncadia Resort have agreed to donate the 112 acre site to the Authority provided meaningful progress toward construction is demonstrated in 2007. Funds are being sought from the state Legislature’s 2007 budget and from private sources so that construction can begin by next summer. Now, active support from the state’s horse community is absolutely necessary so that the Legislature decides to grant the funding request, which in turn will trigger title to the land being transferred to the Authority.