MOORPARK : Equestrian Program May Lose City Funds

A horseback-riding program for handicapped children at a Moorpark ranch is in danger of losing city funding.

Moorpark’s Parks and Recreation Commission voted Monday to recommend that the City Council not spend city funds on the Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, or HELP, in the fiscal year that begins July 1, a city official said.

The council will consider the commission’s recommendation at its budget workshop tonight.

Last year, the city contributed $3,000 in recreation funds to the nonprofit program.

The program, which has been operated for 12 years by Pete Peters at his ranch on Walnut Canyon Road, teaches equestrian skills to handicapped children from Ventura County and as far away as Torrance.

The commission “felt that it was a very good program,” said Donald P. Reynolds Jr., a management analyst for the city. But “they concluded it wasn’t a very good use for recreation funds” because only two of the handicapped children in the program are Moorpark residents, he said.

Commissioners have recommended that the council either contribute other funds to the program or direct city staff to help Peters apply for grants.

Peters said he is upset about the commission’s recommendation because the program benefits the city. But he said the program will continue even if the city eliminates funding.

The program “existed long before they had a city here,” Peters said.

The program is funded by donations from individuals and corporations, fees paid by participants and annual benefits held at the ranch, he said.