St. Charles County officials purchased the 54-acre National Equestrian Center (NEC) for $5.9 million to preserve its use as an essential equestrian center and to parlay it into a regional, statewide and national entertainment destination and special events venue.
Located at 6880 Lake St. Louis Blvd., St. Charles County Parks Director Ryan Graham says there’s nothing like the NEC for more than a hundred miles around.
“Without the NEC, your big horse shows that need hundreds of stables for horses, they just couldn’t fit anywhere else,” Ryan says. “They’d have to go to either Sedalia, Mo., or Springfield, Ill.”
The site features three arenas, six barns, 585 horse stalls, 63 camping spaces and almost 4 acres under roof. The main show area features more than 5,000 square feet of upper-level banquet space that can seat up to 250 people overlooking the arena.
“It’s a tourism destination that attracts people from around the country, and we look forward to carrying on the tradition of hosting high-quality equestrian events, and expanding the offerings of the center,” Ryan adds.
This space is available to rent for wedding receptions, birthdays and special occasions.
In St. Louis County, Queeny Park hosts a handful of equestrian competitions, but on a much smaller scale. Boone County no longer operates an equestrian facility.
Ryan says the site could be used for events and other public activities, from rodeos to music festivals, barbecue competitions, car shows, cornhole tournaments, antique shows, flea markets and dog shows. He says the center also provides the opportunity to introduce kids and families to the art of riding, handling and training horses and the recreational, emotional and therapeutic benefits of doing so.
“NEC is most excited about having more support for our operation,” says NEC Facility Director Dana Jensen. “The idea of being part of a larger family and joining the County Parks System will grow our strength and our opportunities.”
Operated since the 1990s by Carmelo Natoli (of Natoli Engineering fame), the center's been managed by surviving family members after his death in 2012. With developers seeking to convert the site to new homes, the Natoli family reportedly approached county officials asking that the NEC be saved for equestrian use and as a greenspace.
Plans call for keeping the center fully operational with its existing show schedule, while the St. Charles County Parks Department staff takes over day-to-day administration. The new park complements two other County parks where horseback riding trails are provided: Broemmelsiek Park and Indian Camp Creek Park.
County Executive Steve Ehlmann has attended horse shows at the facility and has been impressed with the operation and pledges to maintain the same high standards.
St. Charles County Council members also authorized contract revisions with Family Arena operators to support NEC as a county park as associated with requests from performers, dignitaries and event organizers, and for the purchase of items for resale at the Family Arena and the National Equestrian Center, including food, beverages, hay, shavings, merchandise and other items.
Examples of events scheduled at NEC for April include: NEC April at the Arch Dressage Shows I & II during April 6-7; Bridlespur Society Horse Show April 10-13; Mid Rivers Saddle Club Horse Show April 20-21; and Vintage Market Days St. Louis April 26-28.
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TheNationalEquestrianCenter.com
