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Horseback Rides Return to Golden Gate Park

For the first time since 2001, public riding is back with trail rides starting at $40
By - posted 10/31/2019 No Comment

Chaparral Ranch will hold its grand opening Saturday, November 2, 2019 in the Golden Gate Park’s Bercut Equitation Field, offering trail rides, children’s pony rides, horse camp and riding lessons.

Aside from a brief pilot program in 2017, the opening of Chaparral Ranch marks the first horseback riding vendor in the park since 2001. The company has provided trail rides to San Francisco families at Camp Mather for the past two years.

When: Chaparral Ranch is currently booking trail rides, pony rides and lessons. It will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to expand availability in the future.

How Much: Trail rides and lessons range from $40 to a 30 minute ride to $80 for an hour; Pony rides are $15 for 15 minutes, or $1 per minute; Thanksgiving and winter camps are also available.

Where: Bercut Equitation Field is located on Chain of Lakes Drive East, near John F. Kennedy Drive (approximately 41st Ave.)

As part of its agreement with SF Rec and Park, Chaparral Ranch will offer free visits for San Francisco public schools and underserved communities and make its facility available to local organizations such as therapeutic riding programs for disabled and disadvantaged youth. It will clean up manure every 30 minutes, which will be used for fertilizer in the park.  The program will be reviewed and possibly extended after six months.