Politics & Government

Task Force Asks Board for County Equestrian Coordinator

After year of meetings, eight member group gives supervisors recommendations it says will help save local industry

After a year of research, the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Equestrian Task Force (ETF) told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that an equestrian coordinator and advisory committee could help save equestrian culture in Fairfax County — a venture that brings in about $26 million to the country and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church each year. 

The task force, which presented a number of recommendations at the board's regular meeting Tuesday, said an equestrian coordinator would act as an ambassador between equestrians and the county — "the lynchpin that we felt would help to achieve our goals," ETF Chair Breeana Bornhorst said.

The equestrian industry brought $26.3 million to Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church in 2010, according to The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry in Virginia Study. But opportunities continue to decline, primarily due to increased land development and a lack of planning to preserve equestrian facilities.  For example, both and are currently fighting to survive.

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The county

Along with its own research, the task force — formed in March 2011 by the board — also conducted a long and a short survey and held an open forum to solicit input to compile the report.

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Respondents were most interested in, among other things: 

  • A county web site for equestrian trail information, access to, quality of and safety on trails.
  • Public access to affordable riding lessons.
  • Availability of horse boarding facilities within Fairfax County.

Board Chair Sharon Bulova, who referred the report to county staff for further analysis, said the suggested equestrian coordinator position could be a newly formed position, or an existing member of a department such as the Fairfax County Park Authority, which the task force suggested oversee a new equestrian website with information about boarding, riding, therapeutic riding and training in the county. 

An Equestrian Advisory Committee, whose creation was also suggested as part of the report, would assist the coordinator and review existing county zoning laws and permitting processes to identify problems that impede commercial and private equestrian activities, development and expansion.

Funding the goals, however, is something the task force didn't have time to study, it said. Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth suggested searching for private sector players who would be interested in partnering with the county to fund equestrian trails and other programs.

"Money’s always the bottom line with everything," she said. "Ultimately you want to get something done. It takes more than people talking about it."

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity said while he appreciated the view forward, he had hoped to see more of an emphasis on preserving and maintaining the county's existing equestrian complexes.

"Many of our new zoning laws and code requirements have at times not included a look at the impact on the boarding and riding stables," Herrity said. "I want to make sure we don't take any steps backwards."

The board is now awaiting further analysis of the report.

The complete Equestrian Task Force Report to the Board of Supervisors is attached to this article as a .pdf.


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