February 19, 2015
“We are very much activists in the Twin Oaks Valley, and our goal is to keep the
area equestrian.” — Carol Shut leworth, Realtor and TOVEA member
the town of San Marcos, and stayed small until 1956, when water from the Colorado River was diverted to the area. The popula- tion began to grow, and in the 1980s, reached 33,000. Today, San Marcos has nearly 90,000 residents. Those in the northern part of town are immersed in the equestrian lifestyle.
Solid Citizens When it comes to horsetowns, San Marcos
is truly a special place. Equestrian properties of all sizes and dimensions can be found here, along with trainers and competitors from nearly every discipline. It is this strong, working foundation in the horse industry that keeps the community solid despite hal- lenging times.
Horse people in San Marcos like to orga-
nize, and the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association is a prime example. Started in 2005 in response to issues that arose in the community as a result of land development, the organization’s goal is to serve as an advo- cate for horses and the equestrian lifestyle within the Twin Oaks Valley. “We formed in order to preserve what
we see as one of the last areas of San Diego County that is predominantly equestrian,” says Carol Shut leworth, one of the found- ing forces of the organization. “We are very much activists in the Twin Oaks Valley, and our goal is to keep the area equestrian.” The organization has been successful in
providing an equestrian voice to the city of San Marcos, and stays on top of issue aff ect- ing horse owners. “Our founding members made a decision
to make a diff erence in this community,” says Shut leworth. “We have been able to impress upon government offi cials that horse owners exist here, and are the majority of this val- ley. Any growth that takes place needs to be smart growth. It must take into account the lifestyle of people who moved here because of horses.” One of the largest current projects of the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association has been the support of Walnut Grove Equestrian Park, off Twin Oaks Valley Road. Continued on page 35
Pastoral scenes like these Quarter Horses at Carolyn Read’s Pepper Hill remain part of the town’s landscape, particularly in the northern end of town.
Read founded the California Horsetrader on her ranch in 1979 (on cover and, far right, today), and now is a conservancy advocate.
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Patty Morton and Robin Bond saddle up San Marcos Director of Community Services, Buck Martin, for a ride in the neighborhood.
Second largest in North San Diego County only to the Del Mar Arena, the indoor arena at Deer Springs Equestrian attracts riders and activities from throughout the region because of its accessibility to the 15 and 5 freeways.
Horsetrader photos
Deer Springs Equestrian photo
Horsetrader photos Pepper Hill Farm photo
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