New Horse Park Planned in West Petaluma

A Petaluma woman is the driving force behind a proposed 1,000-acre equestrian park off Roblar Road, complete with an eventing course, arenas, coliseum and educational center, according to this morning’s story in the Argus Courier.

For the past three years, Wanda Smith, author of “Horses of Wine Country” and an avid equestrian, has been leading an effort to build the center that, when completed, would be the largest nonprofit development ever built in Sonoma County, according to the article.

The horse park would offer horse shows, classes, polo, dressage, cutting, reining, race horse training and other equestrian activities and bring 70-80 full-time and up to 2,000 temporary construction jobs to the area.

Smith estimates the cost at $200 million, but says an anonymous donor has already pledged $80 million while the rest would be fundraised or covered with grants.

To read the full story, pick up a copy of today’s Argus Courier.