We get a fair amount of press releases in our inbox every week. But one announcement came in recently that got us pretty excited: horseback riding is back in Golden Gate Park.
The new riding concession is run by Chapparal Ranch, an outfit based in Woodside, CA that also operates a riding program in Yosemite’s Camp Mather. For now, Chapparal Ranch offers riding in Golden Gate Park Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10am until 5pm.
The horseback riding programs in Golden Gate Park are based at Bercut Equitation Field at the western end of the park. Riders can book trail rides, children’s pony rides, and riding lessons (private lessons are available Wednesday through Friday; group lessons on the weekends only).
Chapparal will also offer “horse day camps” for kids ages 6 and up. Campers get a one hour lesson each day, and learn about things such as horse grooming, horse care, history of the horse, horse anatomy, parts of a horse, how to saddle a horse etc. The first camps will take place during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Horseback riding has been on a very long hiatus in Golden Gate Park – no hooves have kicked up dust on the park’s trails since 2001. So when we saw the announcement, we quickly clicked and booked ourselves for a Friday, 4pm trail ride.
The Chapparal staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, assessing everyone’s riding experience and matching each rider up with one of the five horses they currently have in the park. The horses and their trainers, two women, live in the park near the Bercut arena. During busier times, Chapparal can bring up additional horses from their Woodside location.
After saddling up in the Bercut arena, we headed west for our one hour trail ride. The route is one that was set by Rec & Park for Chapparal, and it alternates between paved paths and dirt trails. We passed by several park landmarks during our peaceful ride, including the historic Dutch windmills, the Beach Chalet soccer fields, Ocean Beach, North Lake, and the Bison paddock.
One of the things we most enjoyed on the ride was watching people’s reactions when they saw the horses.
One of the first spots we passed was the “Blue Boat” playground near 45th Avenue and Lincoln. It only took a few moments to hear children shouting “it’s horses!” and come running over to check out the big beasts as we strolled by. Children waved at the horses like they were local celebrities.
During the ride, we crossed a few intersections atop our steeds. More than a few motorists and passengers lowered their windows to crane their necks for a closer look. It’s not everyday you have to yield to oncoming horses.
Like any trail ride, there were moments of quiet and calm as we sauntered among eucalyptus and pine groves, hearing only the soft sounds of the horses’ hooves on the trail. Every horse was a pro – very calm, and clearly experienced in carrying human cargo.
As we eased back into the forest on the edge of Bercut, I was sad to realize the ride was coming to an end. I’d seen a few spots in Golden Gate Park where I had not been before, and the calm of the ride was a nice respite from busy city life.
There are lots of ways to experience Golden Gate Park – on foot, by bicycle, by Segway… But if you’re not in a hurry, and want to take in the park from atop a saddle, check out Chapparal Ranch to book your own equine experience.
And be sure to tip your horse with a red delicious after the ride – they definitely like that.
Sarah B.
I enjoyed a delightful trail ride on a lovely day. I highly recommend it. The horses were calm and well behaved. Staff at Chapparal were helpful and cheerful.
need to go off topic. does anyone know who to contact at the mta about the deal they made with lyft bike share to put one of their extra large racks on arguello at rossi park that has taken up 4 parking spaces?
i didnt see a notice posted or any way for the residents to voice their concerns about this issue. we have already lost a ton of parking thanks to the zero vision project.
thanks for any assistance you guys can give
Great. More horse shit that is just left behind.
@SF Native – actually that’s incorrect. Chaparral rides their route in a truck and cleans up several times a day.
poop
not going to be stuck behind any buses while riding these fabulously animals!