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March 2,2017 <br />Natalie Shaw,Equestrian Business Owner <br />Shaw Equestrian Education,LLC <br />Ellensburg,WA 98926 <br />406-599-7694 <br />Senator Jim Honeyford <br />Way and Means,Vice-Chair Capital Budget Committee <br />112 Irv Newhouse Building <br />PO Box 40415 <br />Olympia,WA 98504 <br />Senator Judy Warnick <br />Chair,Economic Development Committee <br />103 Irv Newhouse Building <br />PO Box 40413 <br />Olympia,WA 98504 <br />Re:Washington State Horse Park -Covered Arena Project <br />Dear Senators: <br />As a local equestrian business owner and regional equine feed representative,a robust equineindustryinWashingtonStateiscriticalfinancially.As an avid equestrian,the availability ofequestrianfacilitiesinourstateisextremelyimportanttomepersonally.I urge you tosupporttheWashington(WA)State Horse Park appîication for $2.0 million in capital fundingsupportforaCoveredArenaandAssociatedBuild-Out submitted by the WA State Horse ParkAuthority. <br />Shaw Equestrian Education,LLC has utilized the Washington State Horse Park sin¢e 2013 inordertoprovideahighqualityclinicexperienceforthree-day eventers training for theircompetitions.Each year,participants from every corner of Washington,as well as MontanaandOregon,attend this clinic-many of which return for the Equestrian Institute Horse Trials <br />in May and September.From Spokane to Vancouver and Bellingham to Kennewick,the clinic <br />fills with riders due in part to the quality of the facility.A covered arena will vastly increase <br />the flexibility and viability of the WSHP as a venue for this event. <br />As a local rider and trainer myself,I have used the park to condition my horses.Ìhe extensivetrailsystemprovidesaunique,safe,and accessible option for riders across maný disciplines.There are no other trail systems like it in the Kittitas County. <br />Finally,the Washington divisions of the United States Pony Club,collectivelyover 500 <br />members strong,have utilized this facility for clinics,camps and certifications.I am alifetimememberofthisorganizationandhavevestedinterestinthesuccessofitsyouth.The <br />WSHP has provided a central venue for both regions of the USPC.The WSHP is one of only afewfacilitieswiththecapabilitiesandsafetyrequirementsneededforlargeregionalUSPCevents.The USPC Championships West were held there the summer of 2012. <br />Thank you for your consideration.I urge the State to fund this important project. <br />Sincerely, <br />Natalie Shaw BS,PAS