Canal Zone Horsemen's Association

CANAL ZONE HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION

Gatun Saddle Club

Gatun Saddle Club was located on about 30 acres. It was on a bluff overlooking the third cut. There were 3 pastures of about 10 acres each, on two levels.

Additionally there were 4 manmade "hills" dating from the 40s- constructed of steel drums full of stones covered by earth. I think they were pehaps gun emplacements from the war. Two were about 15-20'tall/wide, while the largest was at least twice that size.

The main pastures consisted of a two level pasture with a large drainage ditch running along one side. The upper section eventually hosted our dressage area, trail class, permanent hunt course, plus room for barrel racing and pole bending.

The lower pasture was open to the stable area and a small "herd" of horses was turned out to graze these areas. Even with 20 horses grazing, our pastures still needed mowing every 4 weeks in the dry season and 2 weeks in the wet season.

View large Map

Eventually we had 20 10x10 stalls under a new shed roof. A 65' x 125' ring was located on the flat in the front of the stables, with an announcers booth and two stands. Originally done in deep sand, the local grass quickly took over and produced an arena with firm, giving footing with great drainage (a must in an area with 2-3 meters of rainfall annually.)

Over the years we added a new feed room, and a large storage barn. Plus we also helped build rails, standards and wings for our jump course and two new food and drinks booths for horseshows, which could be dismantled for storage.

Gatun Saddle Club horse show was the second in the season, held the second weekend in Feb. At first only a one-day show, we got the CZHA "light bulb" award for the latest horse show of the year, so often we voted to have a two day show from then on.

Featured stable

Click here to visit our featured stable. More...

Canal Zone Stables

- Atlantic Riding Club
- Brazos Brook Private Stable
  aka Margarita
- Albrook Riding Club
- Chiva Civa Stable
- Ft. Clayton Saddle Club
  aka Curundu
- Howard Riding Club
  aka Kobbe
- Ft. Randolph Riding Club
- Ft. Sherman Stables
- Gamboa Stable
- Gatun Saddle Club
- Mindi Acres
  aka Ft Davis
- Pacific Saddle Club
  aka Pedro Miguel
- Shriner Championship Shows

Canal Zone

Horsemen Association