TheRolling Hills Estates Parks and Activities Commissionis considering removing the GGT Footing in arena #2 and replacing it with sand, at a cost of $12,500 - $13,500!

Have you ridden or turned your horse out at Ernie Howlett park in the last year? If so, you'll know that the GGT footing installed in arenas 1 & 2 has performed fabulously well. There have been rave reviews from daily users and horse show attendees. Last year there were only a few days that the arenas were closed due to rain as opposed to the previous year with sand footing when they were closed for WEEKS at a time when they had sand footing.

Last year the new GGT footing gave us nearly 365 days of DUST FREE, solid, consistent arena use up at Ernie Howlett park for over 98% of our riders for the first time. The footing performed fabulously with virtually no dust and NO ARENA CLOSURES! However, because there are a few riders who prefer sand footing the City of RHE is considering removing the GGT footing in arena #2 and replacing it, at great expense, with sand, to please that minority.

To confuse the issue further, both large arenas need to have their bases redone. This needs to be done REGARDLESS of the footing used on top of it in order to have the arenas drain properly. The footing issue is a separate issue from the base issue.

Why change from the new successful GGT footing that we have been using and loving to sand footing? The GGT footing has performed beautifully for nearly all riders and users, regardless of discipline, except for reiners who want to slide. While the arena next to the dressage arena works very well for reining and sliding, it is slightly smaller than ideal for showing, similar to the dressage arena which is wonderful to ride in but not quite big enough for riders to ride around the perimeter at a show.

Historically, there have been, on average, less than 50 +/- reining competitors per year at Western shows at Ernie Howlett Park. In order to slide, those competitors now need to complete in the smaller arena next to the dressage arena until such time that that arena could be enlarged.

I am asking that you sign this petition to support keeping the GGT footing, which has performed so well, in arena #2. In my opinion, the GGT footing serves the majority of users for both riding and turnout very well, with All Weather Use and MINIMAL DUST. I feel that it would be a terrible waste of money to replace the GGT footing, which was just purchased at great expense, with sand footing, which may or may not do well during rainy months, at such a great cost.

Please join me in telling the Rolling Hills Estates Parks and Activities Commission that you would like to keep the GGT footing in arena #2.

NOTES: The bases of both large arenas #1 & #2 will need to be redone, regardless of what footing is placed on top. This is a separate maintenance issue. There are no plans to replace the GGT footing in arena #1.