Rohr Park Arena Needed For Times Like These

In a matter of minutes, the Sweetwater River rose, spilling over its banks and literally swallowing up Sunnyside Stables. The catastrophic storm that hit early in 2024 (January in fact), dumped so much rain that dry land was at a premium.

Many horses found themselves suddenly in the middle of a raging river. Luckily Valerie Magaña and Colette Putnam arrived just in time to save the day (and the horses). They worked together as a team, remaining calm as they moved the horses to higher, safer ground. Some of those horses were moved to Rohr Arena.

There was plenty of damage and the horse bridge crossing the river was a complete loss. Sheds detached from their foundations and traveled down the river with the flow. It was a mess, but everyone survived.

After things returned to semi-normal, Valerie and Colette were honored by Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and the City Council. These brave, young horsewomen kept their cool and went about their task of rescuing the animals they love.

Bonita-Sunnyside is a horse town, always was and always will be. No torrential rain will quell the love of horses here. Horse lovers enjoy watching horses walk | trot | gallop our trails; observing them stand patiently at the stoplight while their rider reaches out to push the top button to cross the road; introducing their children to these big, magnificent creatures for the first time; reveling in horses romping in Rohr Arena as they play with their horse buddies; thrilling to stroke the nose of a horse near the walking trail or in Rohr Arena; or giving a big smooch to Bonita Valley Horsemen's famous "kissing pony".

In times of danger, we depend on our Rohr Park Horse Arena. We need our large-animal evacuation center here—in Bonita—not a million miles away. In times of trauma, we need to know that we have a safe haven close by.

This is not a wish, nor a prayer, but a Given.

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