Famous Horses of Chatsworth
Look Horses: Part III
Look Horses: Some Equine Histories of Los Angeles is a multi-part series both about horses in the Southland and not. This is part three.
The Chatsworth Day of the Horse is an annual, family-friendly event held every spring at Stoney Point Ranch to celebrate the neighborhood’s equestrian heritage. We went, so you don’t have to.
Eric Michael James: The thing about it is, it was always about the rocks—large outcroppings of tan-colored sandstone south of the 118. We saw a yellow banner flapping in the wind near the north end of Topanga Canyon, the Day of the Horse in big, bold letters. I knew we had to go.
Mary Jean Thompson: Well, the rocks and the horses. I grew up in the shadows of these rocks, after all. And the rocks do something to the creatures who live under them, both the people and the horses. The Mansons were just across the freeway, riding through those very rocks.
I thought we might learn about Spahn Ranch at the festival, which celebrated the “Famous Horses of Chatsworth” this year. Instead, we just saw children’s drawings of Mr. Ed. Wasn’t quite what I pictured.
EMJ: The theme somehow only applied to the children’s art competition. It was shocking to find the artwork displayed next to the port-a-potties, which, for some reason, were arranged as the central hub. I almost suggested leaving for another Manson Family haunt in Chatsworth, the Munch Box, a location in one of the best episodes of Visiting with Huell Howser. But they’re closed on Sundays. Luckily, they were serving food at the ranch, too curious to pass up.
MJT: Let’s talk about those hamburgers. We waited over thirty minutes for a classic Little League-style grill job. It was worth it. The largest selling point of Day of the Horse seems to have been the free food, followed closely by a make-your-own-horse-from-a-pool-noodle kids’ craft, and free old horseshoes, rusted and dusty.
EMJ: The amount of mustard on my burger would’ve made Matty Matheson proud, but it was clear that the Noodle Horses won the day. I imagine they’re required for entry to the San Fernando Valley’s cool kids club.
MJT: I was surprised by the variety of horses stabled at Stoney Point Ranch. It was the first time I’ve seen an Arabian horse or witnessed that training style firsthand. Alongside a young buck, modern cowboy, and the aspiring, more formal equestrian crew, it was a curious mix of styles, breeds, and attitudes. Was there anything that surprised you?
EMJ: When councilmember John Lee welcomed everyone, during his speech, he mentioned that the city had purchased the ranch, that it would be rehabilitated, and that it would continue being a place for the community. I thought that was so exciting, it's exactly how you’d hope the city would shepherd these spaces. But when we got home, I discovered the land was purchased twenty years ago—and then I found a blog written by the festival’s founder, a Drifting Cowboy, implying that his celebration of equine history was a ruse to block multi-family housing. So what are they even doing here?
MJT: When I think about horses, I don’t think about bureaucracy. Hidden in that stump speech, though, is an important thing—Stoney Point offers an affordable place for people to pursue this hobby. And you see it in the diversity of riders, in the diversity of horses. Do I wish the city did more to take care of the stables? Yes. But it’s good that it exists at all, don’t you think?
EMJ: I’m happy that it exists, I hope it remains affordable and accessible. It’s just over the pass from one of the best museums we’ve visited: the Santa Susana Railroad Depot & Museum. The docents there, especially Kurt, are as engaging as anyone at the Met, the Prado, the Louvre—wherever. All to say: Stoney Point Ranch has so much potential, I mean, it’s right next to the only breathtaking exit in all of Los Angeles.
MJT: The most beautiful thing that I have ever seen in my life was at the Day of the Horse: A mule. He was dappled. Stone-faced. Tall. He reminded me of my dad’s favorite Gerard Manley Hopkins poem. In a stable surrounded by horses and one donkey, the mule stood alone. He looked me straight in the eyes.
EMJ: I enjoyed the parade of breeds and would love to know more about them and their riders. Maybe when the horses of Chatwsworth hit the big time, we’ll see their names in lights, and we’ll all drink to them at the Cowboy Palace Saloon.
Mary, what’s your takeaway from the Chatsworth Day of the Horse? Other than the free horseshoes they were handing out.
MJT: It was nice to walk around with you and look at horses, except when that lady yelled at us for being somewhere we weren’t supposed to be. But mostly it was just nice to look at horses with you.