Expo Equestrian Center

Albuquerque Journal reports.  I cut, paste and comment.

Gov. Bill Richardson has abandoned plans to build a $25 million state-of-the-art equestrian center at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque and instead wants to put it at Expo New Mexico, home of the State Fair.  "Gov. Richardson decided to locate the new equestrian center at Expo New Mexico as part of a larger effort to redevelop the property following the loss of the Downs at Albuquerque," Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos confirmed Monday.  "While Mesa del Sol is an attractive location, the governor's immediate focus is on transforming Expo so it will thrive as a cultural and entertainment destination for all New Mexicans," Gallegos said. "A state-of-the-art equestrian center will be part of the new Expo New Mexico's future."  ...

Valerie Cole with the New Mexico Horse Council — a nonprofit organization that promotes the horse industry — was among those who submitted ideas to the state for Expo's redevelopment.  She was elated over the suggestion that Expo would get the equestrian center.  "We think it's great," Cole said Monday evening. "We believe the facilities are underutilized, and we would love to creatively use them more."

Because there are already extensive equestrian facilities at the fairgrounds, this only makes sense.  The cost of replicating them exceeded the funding which will go much further for renovations the fairgrounds have long needed. 

The Governor and others have said they are trying to promote equestrian and agricultural arts.  Such arts are not exactly booming in popularity.  As I've said before, building additional facilities wouldn't change that.  Not so coincidentally, the location of new facilities becomes a likely excuse for extending expensive new public infrastructure to open up more area to land gobbling development.  Ironically, it is land gobbling development that makes rural horse keeping and agriculture nearly impossible.  

We can best support and promote rodeo and horsemanship through programming funds for education and events.  Not capital. Capital funding, beyond what is necessary for repair and replacement, will support and promote new construction.  Which is nice.  But not the same thing.  Horsemanship is not about hammering. 

 

Comments

[Hunter]

Does this mean simply a transfer of location for the project as previously scoped? That version included a 7,000 seat indoor arena. The arena proposal currently before the City Council anticipates three rodeo events per year at 7,500 attendance per event. I would think the Expo would be a preferable venue all things considered.

[Natalie]

And at a time when "capital" is seriously lacking for many horse owners to the tune of abandonment, neglect, and, unfortunately, slaughter. Well, okay, maybe not those horse owners... Didn't the Arabians just pull out of ABQ? I'm pretty sure this was the last year for them.
Well, ain't that pullin' the fly-shield over the taxpayers eyes?
Gobble... Gobble...

[scot]

I really should have my wife, the horse person, write this comment but I've never let a little lack of knowledge prevent me from blathering on about it. From having walked around the present Fairgrounds horse facilities I can report that any "remodel" of them should include many, many bulldozers and the use of plastic explosives. What a dump. On top of that, horses have been accidentally electrocuted in the shantytown stalls there.

As for the Mesa del Sol v. Fairgrounds angle, I would prefer the prime real estate of the Fairgrounds go to a mix of single-family and galleries/shops, while the current sand dune that is Mesa del Sol looks like it could use a horse arena or two between the Soundstages and lonely few businesses out there.

But again, I'm no expert here...just married to one.