O.C. Water Needs Could Force Horse Stable’s Ride Into Sunset

When the Orange County Water District looks at its 7.5-acre spread along the Santa Ana River, it sees a way to meet the water needs of a new generation. Nancy Huffman looks at the same land and sees 200 soon-to-be-homeless horses--and the death of a lifelong dream.

The water district has told Huffman that it is evicting her River Trails stable in Orange to make way for a new water basin, meaning that 200 horse owners will have to find another place to board their animals. And that’s not easy these days. The number of Orange County boarding stables has dwindled to less than two dozen.

Christine McGovern, spokeswoman for the Orange County Equestrian Coalition, says there are 18 boarding stables remaining in the county, housing 3,600 horses. But most facilities have long waiting lists.

“It’s a huge problem,” said Jenny Jackson, whose company, Steinberg Tack and Feed, provides hay and grain for many local stables. “Thirty years ago, there were stables everywhere in Orange County. Now they’re all becoming condos or 7-Elevens.”

Or in the case of River Trails, a large water basin. The district says it won’t have the resources to keep up with population growth over the next 20 years if it doesn’t create new percolation reservoirs to divert water from the Santa Ana River. The River Trails property happens to be ideal, said water district spokeswoman Jenny Glasser.

“We tried to find alternative locations to avoid closing the stables,” she said. “But our tests showed the soil at River Trails was the most suitable to percolate water to the underground basin for storage.”

Other test sites showed clay soil, she said, which makes it too difficult for water to seep underground.

River Trails has always had 10-year leases with the water district. But its last 10-year lease was up in 1999. That was the year the district created a master plan through 2020, showing new basins were essential.

The district that year granted Huffman a one-year extension, then approved additional one-year extensions in 2000 and 2001. But last fall, she was told that she’d have to move out by October 2002.

“She’s had fair warning,” Glasser said.

At its meeting Wednesday, the board expected an update from Huffman about her progress in finding another location. What it got instead was a plea from Huffman and about 80 other horse lovers that she be allowed to stay.

River Trails is just the latest stable to face an uncertain future. Rancho Del Rio Stables in Anaheim recently received an eviction notice from its landlord, the city, though it now appears that there’s a chance for a short-term reprieve. Still, owners Bob and Jane Jones know that eventually they will have to move.

“Closing a stables is like losing a city park,” said Jane Jones. “The city would lose something that gives it balance.” The Joneses are also supportive of Huffman.What will Huffman do if she loses?

“I’m not going to lose,” she said grimly. “I’m going to operate River Trails, right here. I just know it.”