Summer Open House at the Marina Equestrian Center
Each summer, STAR Riders opens the barn doors of the Marina Equestrian Center to friends, neighbors, and families across Monterey County. It's a relaxed afternoon beside the arena — come meet the horses, say hello to the volunteers, and see what therapeutic riding is all about.
What Happens at an Open House
Meet the Horses
Gentle, experienced therapy horses like Dolly, Star, and Gunner greet visitors up close — the perfect first step for a nervous future rider.
Watch Riding Demonstrations
See a real therapeutic riding lesson in action: side-walkers, horse handlers, games on horseback, and riders showing what they've learned.
Ask Us Anything
Program Director Linda Martin and our volunteers answer questions about lessons, consent forms, volunteering, and how the program runs on donations.
Planning Your Visit
Open houses and lesson sessions take place at the Marina Equestrian Center — corner of 9th Street and 5th Avenue in Marina, on the former Fort Ord. Enter from Highway 1 or from Reservation Road. Please dress anyone who will be riding in long pants and boots with a heel, if possible.
- Directions, map, and contact details
- Rider and volunteer consent forms — complete these before your first ride
- See the season schedule
A note on this page. The original summer open house page promised that “pictures [are] coming soon.” Sadly, those photos were never preserved through the years — this page has been rebuilt so the event itself is remembered. The photos that did survive from our early years live on in the photo album, including the Salinas Spanish class album from May 2003.
