06/25/2026
Preface: We are not a political organization nor do we desire to take sides or become embroiled in any political drama. Due to the critical nature of potentially losing the National Equestrian Center, we have been forced to become involved and help coordinate community the effort.
It’s 10:16pm and we just returned to Eureka from a meeting with elected officials and candidates that included Bill Eigel. It was a long meeting with lots of conversation, data points and a fair amount of emotion, including my own.
Mr. Eigel is running for St Charles County Executive and previously came out in favor of selling the National Equestrian Center. We were led to believe he had changed that stance and wanted to hear directly from him about his views. More on that tomorrow.
While it’s too early to have processed much about what I heard, felt and frankly said, I did come away with some thoughts and concerns:
- Now is the time to engage on this subject and save this very special facility.
- It’s time for the equestrian community to put aside our differences to join into a unified effort as a part of our collective sport/hobby/livelihood/passion is threatened.
- There are many passionate, driven, intelligent people who care about the equestrian community and the impact horses have on each of us and society.
- This can be the spark that creates a fire to continue lifting up our community beyond the work that is ahead to support the NEC.
As this effort moves forward, there will be lots more to tell, learn and do. Please join in the conversation and work if you feel compelled. It’s a way of life that is under threat more and more each day. This is simply one segment of that threat and we are all needed to overcome the challenges.
Thank you to everyone who engaged this evening. A very special thank you to Kim, Valerie and the team at Stonebridge Stables for coordinating and hosting this meeting!
~ Barn Dad
