Friends of Del Mar Horsepark congratulates all of our 17,256 supporters who helped save Del Mar Horsepark. Del Mar Horsepark re-opens starting JULY 12, 2023!

We also thank the Del Mar Fairgrounds Board, the 22nd DAA staff, our local city, county, and state representatives, the residential neighborhoods surrounding Horsepark, the San Dieguito River Park Conservancy, and horse sports enthusiasts who tirelessly advocated for saving our last horse show venue in San Diego County.

Equestrian group prepares Del Mar Horsepark for July reopening (thecoastnews.com)

HITS SHOWS LLC has invested significant capital to restore Del Mar Horsepark, and horse/rider teams have responded enthusiastically!  July and August HITS shows are sold out. Here’s the July-August schedule for 2023.  

• July--Del Mar Horsepark hosts the HITS Del Mar Sunshine Classic (7/12-16), a county hunter/jumper show (7/22-7/23), and a CDS San Diego Chapter Dressage show (7/29-30).
• August—it’s all hunter/jumper all month with Del Mar Summer Festival I (8/2-6), Festival II (8/9-13), Summer Classic I CSI2 (8/23-8/27), and Summer Classic I CSI2* (8/30-9/3).

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE HITS Del Mar @ Del Mar Horsepark for the rest of 2023 and 2024 events—free for all spectators.

SAVE THE DATE—July 15 HITS is hosting a FREE-to-the-public opening event that includes food & beverages, a dog agility performance before the Grand Prix jumping final on the iconic turf arena. After the Grand Prix, there’s live music until 8pm. Other activities include face painting and art classes. Parking is $20.00—online purchase only HITS Del Mar @ Del Mar Horsepark .

And if you love dogs, there’s an agility dog demonstration on July 15, 2023, at the opening event at Horsepark, as well as The AKC World Team Tryouts Qualifying Event, known as “The Kraken Cup on December 16-17, 2023.

Here’s a short list of improvements that HITS SHOWS LLC has made to Del Mar Horsepark, in addition to water remediation.

• All show arenas have state-of-the-art footing installed.
• Main outdoor arenas feature ebb & flow ring systems that provide safe footing in all weathers.
• Expanded show stalls accommodate larger warmblood horses with rubber mats for extra comfort.
• A new, expanded VIP area will have tiered levels of shaded tables and chairs.   
• Permanent rest rooms were remodeled with all new flooring and fixtures.
• The café building makeover includes new shaded seating.

“The team is hard at work preparing the Del Mar Horsepark for our grand reopening,” said General Manager Dale Harvey. “The improvements that are underway will offer exhibitors a world-class experience at one of the most beautiful venues in the country.”

Brief background: December 18, 2020, the 22nd DAA abruptly closed Del Mar Horsepark due to concerns regarding water regulations, resulting in 35 horse show contracts for 2021 being cancelled and the public riding school being evicted.   

Friends of Del Mar Horsepark rallied supporters to save this historic facility, the last remaining horse show venue and public riding school in San Diego County. Donors contributed to hiring Tory Walker, a well-respected and experienced storm water engineering consultant. He provided the 22nd DAA staff and Board with a review of Horsepark’s existing water protection infrastructure that reduced the cost of water remediation.

The 22nd DAA solicited bids equestrian operators to lease and operate Horsepark through a competitive RFP process. The successful bidder, HITS SHOWS LLC, will operate the venue and provide steady lease income to the 22nd DAA as outdoor events are pandemic resistant.

Thanks to your support for saving Del Mar Horsepark, we have preserved this community treasure for all to enjoy!