"This is Exactly What This Arena is For."

I don't know if you all read the comments that readers write on the articles. They appear below the story.

This comment was written a few days ago and I just saw it.

I liked the positive imaginary surrounding Muriel Watson. I unfortunately never had the pleasure of meeting Muriel Watson. But I told Suzan Strahan (her daughter) at the last hunter/jumper show, I'm sorry I missed out on meeting your mom and feel that we would have been great friends! From what I've read about her, she was quite a firecracker! (To which Suzan replied, "Yes she was!")

Here's the comment written by Jett on July 26, 2026 on the article "Sunday's Horse Show Was Small and Quiet":

It was wonderful to see Suzan Strahan at the arena!

Over a decade ago, at this very same arena, her mother, Muriel Watson, smiled as she watched our horses running freely and said:

"This is exactly what this arena is for."

Those words have stayed with me because they perfectly capture the purpose of this public facility.

I only wish the public parking lot had remained open, as it is intended to be for all park users. Keeping the parking lot accessible during events would create a far more welcoming atmosphere, allowing families, children, and other visitors to stop, watch the horses, ask questions, and perhaps even discover a lifelong interest in horses and equestrian activities. Public parks are meant to bring people together, not discourage them from participating.

I also hope that Permit Holder #29091 and Sunnyside Saddle Club will fully adhere to the terms governing this public facility—including the permit conditions, the City's agreements, the recorded deed, municipal code, and applicable law—by keeping the public parking lot available for public use and by not restricting local equestrians from using the arena during the week before or the day after permitted events. Let's not start up the locking of this facility again as it di vides the horse community. This also keeps city officials from having to spend their time on issues that shouldn't be occurring. This facility was dedicated for the benefit of "all residents of San Diego County," and I believe it should remain available to everyone except during the limited times when exclusive use is expressly authorized.

My comments are not intended to discourage horse activities—they are just the opposite. I want to help preserve this wonderful public equestrian facility so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy it, today and for generations to come.

It's always great to see people enjoying horses. The more people we can welcome into the park, the better.

I've heard these stories about Muriel Watson over and over again. From many different people on many different occasions.

It seems that when Muriel was driving by the arena, she would often stop and talk to the people with their horses. She seemed to love the fact that the arena she had worked so hard to create was in use. Whether it be horses being lunged, riders racing around barrels, a reining horse learning to do a slide stop, a filly being taught ground work and good manners or horses frolicking freely on the loose . . . she was happy to see it all in her beautiful community arena!

Muriel Watson was not only an icon but an inspirational blessing to our Bonita-Sunnyside community. She found joy in giving joy . . . in the form of crafting the beautiful Rohr Park Horse Arena for others. And that joy has replenished itself over and over again and will continue to do so for many generations.

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