Under California Food and Agricultural code Chapter 3 3951, the 32nd District Agricultural Association (DAA) – known locally as the Orange County Fairgrounds – is responsible for hosting fairs, expositions, and operating recreational and cultural facilities. Among its assets is one of only five public equestrian centers in all of Orange County, a vital resource that has provided affordable equestrian activities to over 3,000 residents in the past two years alone.
Unfortunately, the small businesses and nonprofits at the equestrian center are being forced out. In 2022, the equestrian center had over 160 horses and a waiting list. By the end of this month, it will be possible to count the number of horses remaining on one hand. The DAA claims it will replace these activities with new educational programs under “The Ranch,” but similar programs already exist locally, including at Centennial Farms, which operates within the fairgrounds.
The equestrian center’s decline highlights ongoing mismanagement by the DAA after it took over in January 2023 from a successful operator of 15 years. Financial records obtained through public records requests reveal that, in just 16 months, the DAA wasted over half a million dollars through overpayments, unnecessary expenses, and paying for work that wasn’t done. Indeed, the California State Auditor’s office is investigating multiple complaints regarding misspent funds and improper contracting. But those results will come too late to change the outcome, and the impact for the community just keeps adding up.
In October, the 32nd DAA issued a request for proposals to “maintain” the equestrian center. But it added unnecessary rules to the new contract request – like requiring equipment be less than five years old, favoring the current vendor. Predictably, that vendor was awarded the new contract, even though individuals that provided letters of recommendation participated in the review process. This violates state contracting principles that require avoidance of real, apparent or potential conflicts of interest (California Code of Regulations Title 22, § 7358). The DAA’s actions have not only wasted public funds but eroded public trust.
The situation raises serious questions: Is this mismanagement out of negligence, or were these actions part of a plan to close the equestrian center for good? In 2022, when concerns were first raised about the DAA’s management plans, the chairman of the DAA board of directors said, “This is a start-up; we expect to lose money.” A year later, the board cited financial losses—caused by their own wasteful spending—in a vote to close the facility. Whether it is negligence or misdirection by the DAA, the OC Fairgrounds Equestrian Center’s role as a hands-on hub for equine experiences is all but lost for future generations.
Orange County residents deserve better. Public resources should be used responsibly, not wasted on poor management or hidden agendas. Any member of the California Legislature can request an audit by contacting the Joint Legislative Audit Committee – it’s time for Orange County residents to request action from their representatives and take that step. A full audit of the 32nd DAA will ensure that public resources are managed fairly and transparently, and ensure that these fundamental financial and contracting issues do not extend deeper into Orange County Fairground operations.
Aileen Anderson is a resident of Irvine. Like hundreds of area residents, her daughter learned discipline, hard work, and a love of teaching others through riding and working at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center.
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