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Our Story
Our story begins with Paso Park visionary, Linda Starkman. Linda was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She lived and worked as a registered nurse and raised her family in Orange County for 20 years and the past 19 years in Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego County. Linda also served as a Board Member on the U.C. Davis Center for Equine Health for many years. In 1985, Linda purchased Fox Hollow Ranch on the west side of Paso Robles. This property is a 230-acre ranch where Linda breeds warmblood horses for the Hunter/Jumper circuit.
Linda has been involved with horses all her life and actively competed herself until the 1980s. Her trainers are Olympic medal winners and her top horses have competed successfully in Europe and the United States. Linda’s intimate knowledge of national and international horse show facilities sparked her desire to bring a quality horse park to the California Central Coast.
It had been a longtime dream of Linda’s to create a mid-state equestrian showground for Hunter/Jumper competitions. The dream came true when a 67-acre parcel of vacant land located in the northern part of Paso Robles just west of Airport Road became available. The natural beauty and property’s oak tree filled landscape, with vast views overlooking the hills of Paso Robles, made it an ideal setting for a competitive horse park.
The property is well situated with a location and topography suited to meet the needs of local, regional, and national competitive Hunter/Jumper shows. Linda’s dream became reality as construction began in 2014. The Paso Robles Horse Park officially opened its gates in May 2015.
LINDA STARKMAN
Park Founder
Linda is the founder and visionary behind the Paso Robles Horse Park. She has been involved with horses throughout her entire life and actively competed until the 1980s.
AMANDA DIEFENDERFER
Park Director
Amanda began riding horses at a young age. As her career developed in the field of marketing, her marketing skills paired with her passion for horses made her the natural choice for the Paso Park. As Paso Park Director, Amanda is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for the Paso Park and the events hosted.
For information on booking the Paso Park for your own event or if you are interested in media or advertising opportunities, please contact Amanda below.
DAVE COLMAR
FTO
Dave and his wife, Cathy, have been close friends of Linda Starkman for many years. When Linda began the process of turning her dream of building a horse park into a reality, Dave was called upon for his real estate and business knowledge.
Working closely with Linda, they searched for the right site, completed entitlements, and worked with the city and others to bring the unique needs of the Paso Park to reality.
Our Mission
The Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunity within the community to support relevance of the horse in today’s world and its unique ability to enhance education, health and quality of life, particularly for the handicapped and underprivileged.
Linda Starkman – Chairwoman
Dave Colmar – President
Cathy David – Secretary
Dr. David Bogenrief – Board Member
Dr. Claudia Sonder – Board Member
Visit our Donate Now page for more information on supporting the
Paso Robles Horse Park Foundation!
Check out the Paso Robles Horse Park Foundation and the work we have done for Jack’s Helping Hand!
SLO Horse News featured the Foundation in a recent article highlighted the Harvest Special Schooling Show. We invited Jack’s Helping Hand to join us for a day of fun, laughter and fundraising. The Foundation is proud to announce that we have donated $20,000 to the Little Riders program for a wheelchair ramp and lift at the new therapeutic riding facility proposed at the Jack Ready Imagination Park in Nipomo.
Ways we’re working to support our mission
The Park Foundation is proud of our partnership with Jack’s Helping Hand. Funds raised through the Park Foundation go directly towards supporting their equestrian therapy facility being built at the new Imagination Park in Nipomo.
Schooling shows hosted at the Paso Robles Horse Park are designed to provide local hunter/jumper trainers and rider access to the top-of-the-line facility in an approachable, affordable and fun environment. These shows also create a platform for additional fundraising through collaboration with competitors to grow our impact with partner non-profit organizations.
Tells the tale of a visually impaired filly that learns how to walk, run and jump. Books are offered for sale in the Horse Show office and proceeds are donated to the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Books may also be purchased at any time by contacting [email protected].
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