Golden Gate Park has held horses since the 1860s. This is the story of Bercut Equitation Field. Horses played a big role in Golden Gate Park’s early days.
Before 1904, only horses and bikes were allowed here. Then cars arrived. Over time, horses became less common in the park and city. They were used for transportation. They helped at the US lifesaving station. Horses pulled wagons and carriages. They brought building materials to the park. They pulled floats and carried policemen. Horses held races at the Polo Field. They helped with military events and pulled streetcars. Horses were part of Kezar Stadium.
In 2001, the main stable in Golden Gate Park closed. This ended 130 years of horses in the park. But there’s hope. San Francisco Rec and Park looked for a new operator. They wanted to offer horseback riding again starting in the summer of 2024 at Bercut Equitation Field.
However, in recent times, Bercut Equitation Field faced challenges. In 2021, a whistleblower report described neglect and abuse. The report led to the eviction of Chaparral Corporation. This company cared for the horses. The San Francisco Standard investigated these claims for three months. The Recreation and Park Department revoked Chaparral’s permit.
The department’s Communications Manager, Daniel Montes, stated they revoked the permit with Chaparral Corporation because Chaparral did not meet the high standards they expect from their park operators.
The whistleblower report described serious concerns. Staff members felt their concerns about horse health were ignored. This led to poor communication and compromised horse welfare. Staff was discouraged from seeking vet care. The report mentioned a horse named Beamer. Early warning signs of her worsening condition were overlooked. Many staff members lacked horse experience.
The horses at Bercut Equitation Field were overworked. Even after staff requested a reduced workload, management added more events. The report noted horses worked every day, including weekends. They were used for summer camp. Some horses became unusable due to lameness.
The horses’ indoor sleeping quarters were too small and dirty. Stalls filled with waste. Horses often lay down in manure and urine. Jack, Sammie, and Beamer were examples of neglected horses. Jack suffered from colic. Sammie had lameness. Beamer endured two severe colic episodes and eventually was humanely euthanized.
The Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park also have a horsy history. In the late 1880s, wealthy men created a speed track for racing. It ran near where the Bercut Equitation circle stands today. Later, they planned an American version of the Roman Colosseum.
The city received money to build an octagonal judge’s stand for harness races. The Amateur Driving Club added concrete bleachers. But the Colosseum plan never fully materialized. Polo returned to the park in 1922. Matches were played through the 1950s. It has been many years since polo ponies ran here. Bercut Equitation Field reflects a long and complex relationship between San Francisco and its horses.