Santa Barbara Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo 2018 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. | Credit: Lauren Maeve Photography

Earl Warren Showgrounds is on the search for a financial savior, but exactly who or what that will be is still up for debate. The showgrounds’ Board of Directors unanimously voted Thursday night to move forward with exploring the first and only plan pitched to them so far — upgraded equestrian facilities.

The meeting was flooded by a sea of cowboy hats. Nearly all in attendance were from the local equestrian community, which has long lamented that the showgrounds’ equestrian facilities are dilapidated. Members from the “Equestrian Community Group” presented their proposal to both fix the equestrian facilities and bring additional funding to the showgrounds at 3400 Calle Real.

“We have finally got our foot through the door,” said Karen Christensen, the local equestrian who drafted the plan. “There was a lot of skepticism from the board in the past. This is finally our chance.”

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