Vista Palomar Riders is one of the oldest organized riding clubs in California. 
 

In the mid 1940’s a group of Vista horse lovers organized a ride that started in downtown Vista and traveled up to a campsite on Palomar mountain and then rode back again. The 5-day expedition became so popular that it grew into a colorful annual ride and in 1946 Vista Palomar Riders was born and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to horsemanship.

 

The club operated from its base in Vista known as "Hannah Field" and our clubhouse was located at the corner of what is now the Stater Bros shopping center at Bobier and Santa Fe. The big event for which the club was named—the Vista to Palomar Ride—continued to be the most popular and adventuresome gathering on the calendar. Riders traveled great distances to participate in the journey and it was well known by riders of all ages. Old San Diego, Vista and Escondido newspaper clippings and photographs testify to an impressive group of riders parading through downtown Vista on their way to Palomar Mountain.

 

Organizing the ride was a huge undertaking, coordinating chuck wagon meals along the way for all riders, support crew and campin logistics along the San Luis Rey River and on Palomar Mountain. The adventurers trekked over many miles of private, public and Indian-owned land that went from an elevation of about 340 feet in Vista to Palomar's 5325 feet of elevation. Wild stories of riders and their mounts are still told by the lucky VPR members who enjoyed the ride for decades.

 

For 50 years, VPR's five-day expedition was a mainstay of the club. But in the early 1990s, the ride fell victim to development, loss of trails and various legal and logistical complications due to the large number of developing properties on the way to and from Palomar Mountain.

 

Over the years, VPR has thrived not only in spirit, but physically as well. In 1974 we relocated and built our beautiful facility on Little Gopher Canyon Road on the Vista/Bonsall border. The club retains the Vista to Palomar heritage as its main identity and still celebrates a few members who have been active and involved in horsemanship with the club for over 50 years.

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While newer members never had the opportunity to experience the famous VPR ride decades ago, they have brought new life and passion to the club, keeping our western way of life thriving in the community. These days, the club has turned its energy to promoting and protecting equine activities from its home base on Little Gopher Canyon Road. Our 14-acre property has an impressive show facility, a modern clubhouse, pipe corrals and direct trail access to the San Luis Rey riverbed trails. In addition to promoting off-site activities and rides, VPR has a full calendar of shows, clinics, guest speakers and special family events.
 

Today’s VPR members share an important trait with those original founders of the 1940’s – we cherish and honor our historic relationship with the horse and our western roots. The club's original bylaws, which have not changed over the years, clearly state the purpose of Vista Palomar Riders: "To promote good fellowship and recreation among horse loving people of this community and encourage them to own, ride and enjoy saddle horses."