Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Horsing around in the Willamette Valley

Local horse industry is quickly growing, equine tourism is the next step

• By: Amanda Newman  
• Published: 8/31/2009 4:10:01 PM
• Last Updated: 9/2/2009 11:43:40 AM

Photo By: Josh KullaAn equine familiarization tour last spring took visitors to Quailhurst Estates outside of Wilsonville.

Oregon’s equine industry might not yet have the recognition of Kentucky and the Derby, but the state -- in particular, the mid-Willamette Valley -- is beginning to get some equine notice and the industry is growing in leaps and bounds.
 
“It has always been a premier location and had an unusual volume of equine-related businesses, facilities, schools, trainers, boarders, etc., but lately it has grown even more,” said Jennifer Johnson of the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce. Johnson is heading up Oregon Horse Country, an effort to build up the area’s equine tourism business through industry-wide collaboration.
 
She has more than 200 “partners” in the area, including farms, stables, equestrian centers and riding academies ranging from Newberg to Oregon City to Molalla to Woodburn. As the base of Oregon Horse Country, the Wilsonville-area is saturated with its partners, which include the Wilsonville Equestrian Center, Stafford Farm, Stellar Sport Horses and more.
 
The region features a broad spectrum of equestrian disciplines, but is best known for its hunter/jumper and dressage industries. There are training, schools, camps, breeders and other professionals.
 
The Aurora-based French Hill Farm is a prime example of Oregon’s take on equestrianism. A 42-acre hunter/jumper facility, French Hill Farms boards and trains show horses and runs a thriving riding academy. Like many equine centers in the area, they have begun offering an annual barn Halloween party, featuring costumed horses, to try to draw in the public. And in true Oregon fashion, the facility is a “green” operation that uses solar panels to generate all its electricity.
 
Wilsonville Road, stretching between Wilsonville and Newberg, is home to an “equine activity cluster.” Hunter Creek Farms, home of the Country Classic Horse Show, hosts most of the area’s horse shows. Whip n’ Spur Ranch is the riding home of Grand Prix winner Rich Fellers. Wild Turkey Farm, an equine center boasting a sport horse track and extensive breeding facilities, will open next year after a move from California.
 
Facilities along the road also give testament to the innovative ways area equine enthusiasts are trying to expand their industry and make enhance its tourist appeal. Whip n’ Spur is owned by a chef who wants to develop his facility into a food and horse destination. Pacific Meadows Equestrian Center, near the Newberg end of Wilsonville Road, is partnering with vineyards in Yamhill County to link wine tasting and horses.
 
The mountainous area between Newberg, Sherwood and Wilsonville is home to a number of unique facilities that highlight the region’s top foci: dressage and hunter/jumper.
 
DevonWood Equestrian Centre, on Highway 99W, is an internationally recognized boarding, training and show facility dedicated to dressage. “Dressage at DevonWood” is one of the largest dressage competitions in the northwest. The facility holds about 12 shows a year, complete with Olympic judges. DevonWood features a completely level, “green” arena -- like those used at the Hong Kong Olympics -- that was the first of its kind in the country.
 
The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center, on Baker Road, is a 120-acre property with miles of trails and an impressive cross-country hunter/jumper course, full of jumps and bodies of water. In July, the facility hosted the State Games of Oregon Equestrian Events, which included hunter/jumper, dressage and eventing competitions. Nearby Quailhurst Vineyard Estates has gained recognition for the dressage side. The historic facility, situated atop a hill and featuring spectacular views, turns out national and international dressage winners … along with award-winning Pinot Noir wines. They host wine tasting and dressage events throughout the year.
 
Johnson said that while the area has always been full of equestrian activity, the industry has really taken off over the last 10 years. Why? Partially, she said, because there is quality land, ideal for horses, in close proximity to transportation and thriving cities.
 
“It may not be obvious to those whose interests lay outside of the equestrian world, but there is a great chunk of our population that came here and chose our area for the plethora of equestrian farms (and) boarding facilities and the large selection of small family farms suited for horses (near) a major metropolis,” she said. “That is rare and precious.”
 
Many of the new facilities opening in the area, such as Wild Turkey Farm, are people who moved here from out of state after lengthy research, Johnson explained.
 
And the Willamette Valley is quickly becoming a haven for horse lovers -- while Kentucky is known for its racing and breeding and the Enumclaw area of Washington is attracting notice for the western horse country, Oregon is building up a thriving, well-rounded equine industry that encompasses nearly all aspects.
 
“I am not aware of any other state that emphasizes a part of their state as ideal for equestrian living,” Johnson said. “We have a unique piece of the pie here and it’s getting more attention for that purpose.”
 
Tourism is a big part of that. Horse lovers will often seek out equine-related activities when they travel; many actually choose their destinations based on the availability of those activities. Oregon Horse Country is trying to link up with Travel Portland to get the word out about the new equine tourism destination.
 
“The kind of tourism that this industry will bring is not high volume, but it is high yield,” Johnson said. There might only be a handful of tourists visiting each site each week, but they will be renting or transporting horses, staying in hotels, attending events or clinics, purchasing lessons and equine products, and likely checking out the area’s other tourist offerings.
 
The economy is having an impact on equine businesses and horse owners -- horses are expensive to feed. Various Oregon Horse Country partners have said they are having difficulty feeding their horses, and individual owners are affected as well. The Ashland-based Equamore Foundation has been inundated with abandoned and abused horses. Oregon Horse Country is helping Equamore find homes for the animals, but taking on another horse is a struggle for many in the current recession. Still, fostering equine tourism and growing the local industry could be a definite economic boon for the area.
 
“Events will increase, national events will be held, schools will grow, facilities will hire more people, world-class trainers and riders will come, hold classes, clinics, etc.,” Johnson said. “We all agree that we already have the space, logistics and facilities to hold a major equestrian event like a Rolex Championship. That could be a huge economic boost.”

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