It is not an uncommon sight today to see folks riding or walking their horses around Crest making their way to a local trail or on their way to South Lane Park or our Crestridge Ecological Reserve. When speaking of Crest, horses and horse activities always come to mind. 

In the 1940s and  1950s horse activities were popular in Suncrest and La Cresta. As one Crest resident recalled, “We teenagers got together every chance we could and rode to our hearts content without a care in the world.”  In 1947 a horse show was presented as an annual event, which continued for five years from 1947 to 1951. In conjunction with the horse show there was a big barbeque and a midway as well as raffles which offered chances on groceries and other prizes. These “Crest Jamborees” helped provide the materials needed to start construction on the firehouse and the purchase fire equipment.  These “Jamborees” lasting multiple days brought as many as 2000 persons visiting the resort community. Events included a children’s field day held in Sunrise Park (South Lane Park), dances at the Suncrest Clubhouse, barbeques, and a horseshow. The groups worked together to support their causes. Because the horse lovers were also community minded, groups joined together to support the clubhouse, the horse groups, and volunteer fire department by sponsoring horse fun shows. Funds were needed to accomplish their groups’ goals. A good food booth could raise money for an organization.

Crest had a great area for these shows – South Lane Park, although it was not an official park at that time.  Many years prior, the Crest Civic Group had constructed an arena using rails made from branches trimmed off the eucalyptus trees.  Food booths at these events became famous as a good moneymaker, and kept the crowds coming to Crest for the club’s activities or just to eat. The shows were also dual purpose; they provided a safe activity and promoted good horsemanship.

Several horse clubs are mentioned in the Crest historical archives.  One such club was the Crest Golden Lariats Riding Club in the 1960s.  Another club started to provide and maintain trails in the area and promote good horsemanship through safe equestrian activities. The club learned about an organization named Equestrian Trails, Inc. which provided good insurance and help with trail issues; therefore, the club became Corral 77 of ETI. The members marched in parades and had a large banner which two riders carried. They had matching vests, saddle blankets. and their own logo.

Gilbert Mastri recalled, “The Crest ETI Chapter, as I recall, was active twice. ETI Corral 18 was formed in 1979 with Sally Bowlby elected as first president.  This group was responsible for getting the Concessionaire Agreement with the County of San Diego for the use of what is now known as South Lane Park. As the years went by, the original ring was replaced with one made of pipe and purchased by the club. An announcer’s booth, a portable food booth, and some bleachers were added all from either donations or funds raised from the club. The park was also used for training clinics, veterinarian clinics, and various other activities.  ETI sponsored trail rides, horse shows and trips. The horse group – E-Crestrians, Inc.– was granted a non-exclusive use and occupancy permit for the five acres closest to South Lane. The announcers booth, which was the old original library building located behind the La Cresta Women’s Clubhouse, was moved to its new home in the park. The Crest Civic Group ran the concession stand for some time.  Unfortunately the announcers’ booth burned in the 2003 Cedar fire.

Another horse group mention in the 1980s was the Crest Horse Club.

The Fletcher family was generous enough to allow the horse group to use their dining hall at Oakridge Park, known today as Crestridge Reserve, as a place for monthly business meetings for many years. Crest’s first Trail Trials was conducted at Oakridge Park and the surrounding area. It was a huge success, with the huge steak dinner bringing in the bucks.”

Kandhy Franklin, a long time Crest resident reported that the E-Crest-Rians, as a club, has been on and off several times over the past years. It was re-established again in the 1990s. Health clinics and fun shows and Triple Crown trail trials were held until 2007.  

The park today still has the two horse arenas plus four hitching posts and water for horses.