Our horse project area hosts various programs and events throughout the year including: 4-H Horse Camp,
Bit Clinic, 4-H Open Show, Horseless Horse Program, Proud Equestrian Program (PEP), Tack Swap,
Trail Clinic, Winter Clinic, Shot Clinic, Twilight Shows, Speed Shows, Chiropractic Clinic (for the horses), and the Team Penning Clinic.
Completion of the Center will enable us to provide the following programs/events listed above as well as the following additional services:
The Therapeutic horseback riding program, referred to as
PEP (Proud Equestrian Program), will be offered for active participation on a regular basis for area developmentally and physically challenged youths and adults.
Our 4-H organization will be able to host interscholastic meets for area schools. Equestrian teams from Mt. Pleasant High School, Shepherd High School, Beal City, Ithaca, Alma and other area schools will use the Center as their home site for such meets. In the past, these youth organizations have only attended equestrian meets in other counties.
We would have the potential to host beyond Districts.
Michigan’s Special Olympics is considering reinstating equestrian events as part of their program. Mt. Pleasant is home to this organization which hosts over 3500 athletes every summer and the completion of this facility would be significant in their determination.
The Center will have the capacity to host horse shows in Michigan. Completion of the equestrian center would facilitate the return of four major income producing horse shows, each lasting an average of three to four days. It would also allow Isabella County to competitively bid for an additional seven events on various dates from April to October. Since Isabella County is centrally located in the state, the proposed center is ideally located to attract equestrians from neighboring states as well as Michigan.
The Center will improve safety conditions and increase equine competition for our equestrians. Participants presently face conditions ranging from exposure to extreme heat, to rain, and other severe weather.
We anticipate economic benefits for maintenance of the facility. Hotels, gas stations, area restaurants, and other businesses in general will benefit from increased customers. Utilization of our fairgrounds is beneficial to the entire community.
We plan to develop and increase programs with Michigan State University Extension.
Improvement of our facilities is necessary for safety and to remain competitive in the market of hosting shows.