RPD Horse Concession

[Tom Borden]

Here is a sad story about Chaparral Ranch and their horses. They operate the horseback riding concessions for RPD  in GGP and Camp Mather.  These were supposed to be the good guys that RPD signed up after bad things happened with the last company.  That was the one that ran the trial program in McLaren Park some years ago.

RPD is terminating them in GGP and "Chaparral will also be kicked out of Camp Mather and will no longer be considered for plans to bring horseback riding to McLaren Park, the department said."
Has anyone heard anything recently about RPD's plans for horses in McLaren Park?  Chuck?

https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/17/chaparral-corporation-golden-gate-park-horseback-riding/?utm_campaign=SF%20Standard%20Breaking%20News%20Alerts&utm_content=breaking-read-more&utm_medium=email&utm_source=SF%20Standard

I don't want to believe these people are so horrible.  It's probably really hard to run an isolated operation like this in the middle of a city.  Chaparral had a pretty sweet deal, RPD let them use all of the land and trails and they only had to pay RPD 5% of their revenue.

Tom B

[Chuck Farrugia]

I got a heads up from the general manager that things were not  going well with Chaparral many months ago and we agreed to hold off on any concession in McLaren until all the accusations and assumptions were vetted. Its unfortunate that such a well know company such as Chaparral could run into so many problems.  After my daughter attended their Woodside Camp a couple summers back I thought for sure they were a well run and top notch concession... but maybe they ran Woodside differently than Golden Gate Park.  I didn't see any skinny, lame or unhealthy horses there in Woodside, that's for sure.  I never visited the GGP center so I cant give any opinions on that stable. 

As I told those concerned, if any horse back riding concession comes to McLaren, we will be sure they fit the bill or we wont have them.  The experience is suppose to be a joyous experience for both rider and the animal. I want to see kids with smiles on their faces not fear or concern for the animals health.  So its just another wait and see for McLaren and a huge lesson learned for everyone involved that you cant judge a concession by whats on the cover.

Chuck

-- Help McLaren Park Group