This program is submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of BACHELOR of ARCHITECTURE Design Option Texas Tech University Division of Architecture August 30, 1979 W. Lawrence Garvin ^0(>.jrUE SPORTSMAN'S CHARTER - That sport is something done for the fun of doing it and that it ceases to be sport when it becomes a business only, something done for what there is in it; - That amateurism is something of the heart and spirit - not a matter of exact technical quali­ fications ; - That the whole structure of sport is not only preserved from the absurdity of undue importance, but is justified by a kind of romance which ani­ mates it, and by the positive virtues of courage, patience, good temper, and unselfishness which are demanded by the code; - That the exploitation of sport for profit alone kills the spirit and retains only the just and semblance of the thing. TABLE OF CONTENTS PURPOSE 1 BACKGROUND 2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES 31 ACTIVITY ANALYSIS 33 SITE ANALYSIS 34 SPACE SUMMARY 56 SYSTEMS 64 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS 74 DETAILED SPACE -REQUIREMENTS 8 3 BIBLIOGRAPHY 13 7 yirp©; PURPOSE This project involves the design of an equest­ rian complex for Midland, Texas. A union of area pony clubs has dictated a desire for a multi-disip- linary equine center. With this merger, it is the hope that this union will serve as a catalyst for the development of a complete equine facility. In addition to equestrian disiplines, social ac­ tivities of the membership shall also be addressed. Half a century ago as the internal- combustion engine gave new meaning to the word "horsepower" most people pre­ dicted that the horse would go the way of the dinosaur and the dodo. Although the equine population was indeed reduced, it was by no means eliminated as a vital aspect of national life. Recently, equestrian activities have begun to stage a renascence. Like tennis ten years ago and skiing a decade before, horse-related sports are coming into full flower. Public and private stables and clubs, horseback resorts, and back­ yard barns are springing up all over the United States and Canada. So is attendance at shows, rodeos, and other spectator events. The result is staggering. More than ten million pleasure horses are the beneficiaries, as are manufacturers and re­ tailers of equestrian products and services to the tune of a nine-billion-dollar-a-year industry. Although it's impossible to determine the pre­ cise number of human participants, it must be at least several million, and it's growing steadily. Overall, 197 8 was another banner year for Polo. An all time high was reached in the number of parti­ cipants, as well as the number (1,400) of registered players. The progress of the sport to its present status is measured in many ways. A new breed of younger players is providing the sport with a better quality of horsemanship. The need for new improved facilities have surfaced due to the rising number of players and increased quality of play. Jay Floyd, as an ambitious, farsighted young man in college, was responsible for starting Polo in Midland. A dry lake bed on the Floyd Ranch served as this area's first polo grounds and by the mid 1930's. Midland was the principal source of polo ponies in the country. The horses were sent to Chicago, New York and points east by railroad carloads. In 1938, hhe group had moved to the Midland fairgrounds. In 1953, the Carlton Beal family arrived from California with six top polo ponies. The Beals -- Carl, Carty, and Barry, together with Toby Hilliard, Gus White, Sr. and Jr., and Jimmy Stimmel formed the Midland-Lamesa Polo Club. They played at the fairgrounds and were active until 1956. At times the dust was so thick they could not see the ball. They called themselves the Midland Dusters. "In 1960, Hilliard, Holt, Ritchie, Sharp, Stimmel and Landreth put up an arena north of town and started playing indoor polo. By 1964, this group, along with Jim Hall, Ronny Hissom, Bobby Holt and Willy B. Wilson, got together and founded the Midland Polo Club. During that year they played on an oiled dirt field and in August of 1964, moved their arena to a new grass field out near the Midland Country Club. In June of 1965, these founding members, under the driving leadership of George Landreth, started purchasing and planting the present facility. The first two fields were ready for polo that summer. Eight privately owned polo barns sprung up around the fields as well as club stabling for 80 head of horses.' Midland rose to national status in 1968 by cap­ turing the U. S. Polo Association Championship, (National Open). An affiliate of the Midland Club was formed in 1973, known as the Midland Lee High School Polo Club. This team competed on the Inter- scholastic level and quickly captured the national title in both 1974 and 1975. Still another polo team was formulated out of Midland known as the Wilson Ranch. Although defeated by a San Antonio team, the club did reach the finals of last year's U. S. National Open in Oakbrook, Illinois. The teams from Midland are recognized throughout the nation and play matches from coast to coast as well as hosting several national matches yearly. All the teams are currently enjoying the upswing in polo 1Midlan d Polo Club Magazine, Katch Heinz, p. 16-17. and are sharing the positive outlook toward the future of polo. Midland currently fields 25 of the 130 regis­ tered players in Texas. Virtually all of these players are capable of competing at a national level. This apparent thirst for excellence has established Midland's teams high in the respect and admiration of all polo advocates throughout the United States. •'..•. •••'>.'*•'•,•. -••.•:• ^r-r- • /.i'.-,;'Vf/'i.-'v-'i».-i-A'«ji*A.= --J George Landreth instigated in­ terest throughout Midland in the Hunter, and Jumper Equine sports. The devel­ opment of Rainbow Stables has corres­ ponded with the Polo Club since 1960. In the early years three families maintained the nucleus of Rainbow Stables. The Magruders, Yarboroughs, and Ruppes witnessed the rise of Rainbow Stables from a single idea of Mr. Landreth's, to a physical fac­ ility consisting of approximately ten acres. Although members and interests are varied, the quality of horsemanship rose steadily to a world class level. Midland is currently enjoy­ ing an upswing in the number of equine participants & spectators. This resulted in the relocation of the stables to a larger facility. This complex is owned by William Acock and is leased to Rainbow Stables, Inc. At their disposal, Rainbow Stables enjoy an area of approximately 40 acres in which to work their horses. Approximately 35 horses are stabled and the number of regular riders may fluctuate between 20-40 at different times of the year. The union of the Midland Polo Club and Rainbow Stables will create the heart of a new club (Midland j Polo and Hunt Club). By their combination, they will accentuate the equine activity in Midland and a third (new member) will be introduced to the club. Although the equine activities will shadow the norms in the equestrian world, the Midland Polo and Hunt Club will have a wide variety of recreational ac­ tivities . Among modern major sports, where it justly figures, riding occupies a very special place. I^'r»,.l?i.-i:v.^ ifc|»»- •"•-'•i--^«*U5artii»*iiii| "This Essential-Characteristic of riding is responsible for its individuality, its unity, and its diversity." To most people living in the East, a horse show is a place where hunters, jumpers, and equitation riders can win ribbons. In the South, it's for gaited and fine harness horses. Westerners think of shows primarily in terms of stock-seat equitation and classes. Breed devotees consider shows as places to exhibit specific breeds. A horse show is a competition in which many (or few) activities take place. Perhaps the best way to focus on exactly what takes place is by saying a few words about the variety of classes presented by Midland's ^Paillard,J.S., Understanding plant. A class is a group of competitors Equitation, Doubleday Co. Inc. Garden City, NY, p. 22. 10 competing under the same criteria and rules against one another at a horse show- EQUITATION DIVISION "The Equitation Division judges a rider's skill. The prize list states what is expected, and you are judged on these specifics. Standard gaits are re­ quested (walk, trot, canter) and low jumps may also be included.' Here only the rider, not the horse, is being judged, for horsemanship form and ability. Hunt-seat equitation is based on the skills needed to negotiate a fox-hunting situation- Undoubtably, this is the most formal event in >t,fc,,w "•*•"%,. which no er^ror is allowed. Due to this strict nature only the highly experienced are involved, while they ^ are also judged accordingly. ii(**«i«caws(*»« HUNTER DIVISION The hunter division is a "performance division. Morris, Geo., Designing Courses & Obstacles, Boston, Mass.,Houahton Muffin Co. p. 41 11 The rider is not judged. "The main objective is to test the horse's skill, specifically, the type of ability he would need to participate in a field hunt." Conformation classes take an animal's build into consideration; judges look for the kind of build that will carry a rider comfortably and handily across country. Working hunters will be required to perform either on the flat or over fences. Courses approxi­ mate the obstacles found in the hunting field, such as brush fences, post-and-rails „ and oxers.