The History of Pebble Beach Equestrian Center

From its beginning as a boarding stable to hosting Olympic Team Trials to its present-day rehabilitative programs, the Equestrian Center at Pebble Beach has been a haven for horses and riders for nearly a century.

The Early Days of the Equestrian Center

In 1920, Pebble Beach Resorts developer Samuel F.B. Morse cleared a field near today’s Equestrian Center. The purpose was as an airstrip, because many of the Resorts’ visitors and some of the early landowners were aviation enthusiasts who flew their own small planes. However, there were also a growing number of homeowners in Del Monte Forest, including Morse, who required boarding stables for their horses.

So in 1924, the initial stables were built near the airfield. Featuring a rectangular, open-interior courtyard, they were simple board-and-batten quadrangle stables and built at a cost of $12,000.

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The Early Days of the Equestrian Center

In 1920, Pebble Beach Resorts developer Samuel F.B. Morse cleared a field near today’s Equestrian Center. The purpose was as an airstrip, because many of the Resorts’ visitors and some of the early landowners were aviation enthusiasts who flew their own small planes. However, there were also a growing number of homeowners in Del Monte Forest, including Morse, who required boarding stables for their horses.

So in 1924, the initial stables were built near the airfield. Featuring a rectangular, open-interior courtyard, they were simple board-and-batten quadrangle stables and built at a cost of $12,000.

The Dick Collins Era (1946 – 1979)

Accomplished horseman Dick Collins, 33, was selected to take over the Resorts’ equestrian facilities in 1941. But before Collins could begin, World War II broke out, and he enlisted. Collins returned to the Peninsula after the war, taking over management of the Pebble Beach Stables, which were soon renamed the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.

Over the next three decades, Collins established Pebble Beach as an important equestrian center. In 1954, Collins established America’s first Pony Club, which he based on the English model for training young riders.

Collins managed the U.S. Equestrian Team for the 1955 Pan-American Games and the 1960 Rom Olympics. The 1960 U.S. Team Trials were held at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.

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The Dick Collins Era (1946 – 1979)

Accomplished horseman Dick Collins, 33, was selected to take over the Resorts’ equestrian facilities in 1941. But before Collins could begin, World War II broke out, and he enlisted. Collins returned to the Peninsula after the war, taking over management of the Pebble Beach Stables, which were soon renamed the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.

Over the next three decades, Collins established Pebble Beach as an important equestrian center. In 1954, Collins established America’s first Pony Club, which he based on the English model for training young riders.

Collins managed the U.S. Equestrian Team for the 1955 Pan-American Games and the 1960 Rom Olympics. The 1960 U.S. Team Trials were held at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.

Later Years & Expansion (1980 – 2013)

A hay barn was added to the facility in 1970. After Collins retired, the facility was further expanded under the direction of Abby and Jay Foss (1980 – 1984), Derek and Bea diGrazia (1984 – 1992) and Tim Postel (1992 – 2013). The upgrades included 20 extra stalls and the addition of a Polo Barn. The Pebble Beach Summer Horse Trials were also reinstated and expanded.

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Later Years & Expansion (1980 – 2013)

A hay barn was added to the facility in 1970. After Collins retired, the facility was further expanded under the direction of Abby and Jay Foss (1980 – 1984), Derek and Bea diGrazia (1984 – 1992) and Tim Postel (1992 – 2013). The upgrades included 20 extra stalls and the addition of a Polo Barn. The Pebble Beach Summer Horse Trials were also reinstated and expanded.

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