Los Altos Town Crier » Riding ring gets a new set of shoes

By Eliza Ridgeway

Image from article Riding ring gets a new set of shoes

joe hu/town crier
The Los Altos Hills’ Town Riding Ring on Purissima Road has recently undergone a refurbishing.

Los Altos Hills’ Town Riding Ring has seen the worst and best of times in the last two years. Town horses are reveling in the just-refurbished arena, which sports improvements from $50,000 in park bond grant money, allotted by the city council. Yet only a year ago, Bullis Charter School and Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Little League targeted the aging ring for redevelopment as a school site or playing field.

The Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association, previously a somewhat dormant organization, sprang into action at the threat to the ring, spiffed-up the location and scheduled regular organized equine events. The association built the ring in 1976, when the Hills was still in its horsey heyday.

The original soil and woodchips that filled the ring were hauled away this summer and replaced with sealed base rock covered by rubber footing. The drainage system was reconfigured, new railing built, a sprinkler system installed, and a pen, shed and grandstand added.

From its earliest years, ring usage was limited seasonally by drainage challenges at the half-acre site on Purissima Road. Muddy surface can cause a mount to stumble during practice. With the improved drainage design and rubber footing, the ring should remain safe and rideable throughout the winter this year.

John Lazzarini, who lives within walking distance of the ring, has used the space to teach his son and daughter to ride over the past four years. “It has been really wonderful,” he said. “I didn’t even realize it was the town’s (at first).” Lazzarini and his spouse, Lori Askew, became volunteers in the Horsemen’s association when they learned about the ring’s history and management. They are part of a core group of about 10 residents who have fought to preserve and improve the ring.

“My horses just love the footing, they get in there and love to run forever on it. And now if my kids were to take a spill, they wouldn’t get hurt on the soft stuff,” Lazzarini said.