Students in equestrian programs at Cal Poly will be able to train in rain or shine thanks to a new multi-million dollar center that made its public debut Friday.
The Oppenheimer Family Equine Center boasts a 60,000 sq. ft. covered riding area, along with a foaling barn, stallion barn and hay barn.
Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer donated $20 million to fund the project.
"We had a fabulous experience when we were at Cal Poly in the 1980s and we knew in part that was because of the generosity of those around us," said Peter Oppenheimer. "We wanted to contribute so future students could have an even better experience than we did."
The Oppenheimers both had horses as children, which inspired them to donate money to build the center.
These upgrades will allow student riders to compete in all weather for the first time.
"With this facility, we’re able to ride day in and day out, whether it’s hot or not or too rainy and cold, so it’s really made our program more versatile," said Annika Moe, a fourth year Cal-Poly student majoring in tourism.
Friday’s grand unveiling coincides with the university’s performance horse sale on Saturday.
The sale goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.n. on Saturday.
