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Horse Park History
During the late 1980's, the City of Conyers, Georgia, which owned and operated
the water and wastewater system for both Conyers and Rockdale County, began
researching alternative methods of wastewater disposal. Like many communities,
Conyers was facing increasingly stringent federal and state guidelines regarding
wastewater discharges into rivers. One solution is a process called land
application, which involves spraying treated wastewater on such green areas
as grass and trees. The wastewater is not treated to the levels required
for discharge into streams, but it still is sanitary for use on athletic
fields and golf courses. City officials found that in order to expand the
City's wastewater treatment capabilities, it would be better to use the
land application process, and in 1990, the City identified a 1,139 acre tract
of land located in a less-developed portion of Rockdale County as a site
suitable for land application. Working with its engineers, the City decided
that the site would meet the land application needs.
Community Needs
Due to the expense of the property, the City Manager and the City Council
felt it would be advisable to find additional uses for the property. Clearly,
the purchase of the property would be more acceptable to the community if
the City also could demonstrate additional uses that would meet community
needs. Earlier in 1990, Conyers and Rockdale County had jointly adopted
a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This plan identified a deficit in park and
recreational space throughout the community. City leaders also recognized
the need for a civic center or conference center facility because the local
governments and local businesses were faced with the problem of inadequate
facilities for large meetings, performances, and public gatherings. City
officials hoped to construct a hotel/conference center facility on the property,
as well as to develop a public golf course. To the initial dismay of local
officials, a feasibility study revealed that a hotel/conference center was
not practicable. In exploring other recreational opportunities however,
a consultant reported that state-of-the-art equestrian facilities would
be feasible and desirable. According to the study, the State of Georgia
was lacking a permanent facility suitable for hosting local, regional, national,
and international competitions. Research indicated that thousands of horse
enthusiasts throughout the State were eager to obtain show and competition
facilities. Such a facility would be feasible economically, compatible with
land application, and would provide additional recreational needs, including
athletic fields and a public golf course. City officials welcomed the idea
and began to explore ways of making it a reality.
The 1996 Summer Centennial Olympics
September 18, 1990, was a momentous day in the history of Atlanta. It was
the day the City of Atlanta was awarded the bid to host the 1996 Summer
Olympiad. But this news had a significant effect on the City of Conyers'
hopes of developing an equestrian complex. The plan for the 1996 Summer
Games included developing facilities to host the equestrian events at a
site only 30 minutes from Conyers. City officials knew that if the events
were held at a site located close to Conyers, it would make Conyers' plan
impractical. So, City officials decided the only way to make the City's
plan for the equestrian complex a reality was by hosting the 1996 Olympic
Equestrian Events. This plan began to come alive when local leaders learned
that the site originally slated to host the equestrian events would not
be hosting them after all. The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG)
would be looking for another site.
Bringing the Team Together
Conyers officials began the effort to win the bid to host the equestrian
events. They agreed that winning the bid would accomplish many goals for
the community, and that it would enable them to construct a permanent facility
using substantial investment from the Olympic Committee. Local residents
often have felt that our community lacked an identity. Officials with the
City of Conyers realized that winning the equestrian events would rapidly
and significantly enhance the community's identity. Local leaders also knew
that improving the image would significantly improve the area's economic
development capabilities. The team that now had been brought together continued
to use the services of the real estate and economic development consultant
who had been with the project since its inception. At this point, another
consultant, a public relations and marketing firm was added. Its' responsibility
was to work with the entire team to assist with community public relations,
as well as to work with the Atlanta media. Throughout the project, the pubic
relations consultants provided assistance and advice to key issues. The
team also was expanded to include the engineers for the water and wastewater
system. These engineers worked on conducting soils and drainage studies
and provided technical information related to the land application process.
Finally, a sports facilities architect, who was also an experienced horseman,
provided critical insight in conceptualizing the overall equestrian complex.
The Conyers-Rockdale Equestrian Task Force
City officials agreed that the only way to be successful was to make sure
the entire project was a community effort. If local business leaders and
community residents felt that they were being forced into something, they
would automatically oppose it. Conyers residents, like constituents everywhere,
want a choice and a role in their governments. Local officials wanted to
garner overwhelming support so that the community could play a vital role
in the effort to win the Olympic bid. Consequently, a group of about one
hundred local leaders, business owners, and community residents were asked
to attend an informational meeting to hear about the project and to serve
on the Conyers-Rockdale Equestrian Task Force. Not surprisingly, many thought
the local leaders were being completely unrealistic. Some of those present
probably thought worse than that! After all, who would think that a neighborly
community of 7,500 people could be selected as an Olympic venue? But as
their questions were answered and the project was explained, the room began
to swell with enthusiasm and spirit. The task force was charged with gathering
support from local and regional horse enthusiasts and developing community
support through education and special events. It was led by a steering committee
of nine local leaders and chaired by a local businesswoman and community
volunteer. Although no one working directly on the project had extensive
knowledge of horses or horse competitions, research uncovered many experienced
horse enthusiasts who could provide the necessary technical support. While
the task force sought local and equestrian support, the steering committee
worked on developing the concept to be submitted to ACOG.
The Plan
The steering committee knew that in order to win the bid, the proposal had
to accomplish several goals. First, it had to meet the specifications of
the International Equestrian Federation, which is responsible for the equestrian
events at all Olympic Games. Second, the proposal had to make sense from
a business perspective. It had to be the smartest, most cost-effective,
and most practical proposal that the ACOG would receive. Third, it must
demonstrate use of the facilities after the Olympic Games. This component
the committee emphasized as the "Olympic Legacy." ACOG was led
by shrewd businessmen, but with a lot of heart. Therefore, the proposal
had to be both a practical and an emotional winner. It had two advantages
from the outset. First, Conyers is located only 25 miles from downtown Atlanta
bisected by a major interstate. Second, the proposed site was undeveloped,
allowing ACOG to design and construct the Olympic facilities exactly as
they desired. But it needed something more, something unique and something
permanent. Thus was born the Georgia International Horse Park, which combines
equestrian facilities and public recreational facilities into one master
plan. The expanded scope included museums, a restaurant, gift shop, indoor
show arena, dressage arena, show-jumping arena, stables and practice areas,
steeplechase track, a three-quarter mile track, a golf course and a campground.
The premise of the Georgia International Horse Park is to provide a permanent
equestrian complex that will meet the needs of all equestrians, from the
backyard enthusiast to the Olympic competitor, while also providing recreational
opportunities for community residents to enjoy.
The Proposal
The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games disseminated a lengthy RFP allowing
approximately three weeks to complete and return. Working under a tight
deadline, the steering committee and the real estate/economic development
consultant gathered and compiled the information. The steering committee,
determined to do more than was expected, also included a narrative about
the community, profiles of the most instrumental community leaders, and
color photographs. The steering committee had also decided to submit a video
proposal with the written proposal. Since the written proposal had all of
the necessary technical information that ACOG would need, the video proposal
had to be creative and emotional. This tied in well with the two-pronged,
intellectual and emotional approach to the bid. A private production committee
produced the six-minute video, which was originally shot entirely on film
and then transferred to video. This gave the final video a higher quality
than if it had originally been shot on videotape. The steering committee
worked with the production company in writing the script. Once the script
was finalized the shooting began using only local residents as the actors.
They performed remarkably well and more professionally than one might have
expected. It was considered important to use only local people and settings
in order to demonstrate the community support as well as the "believability"
of the proposal. The final video was an inspiring story of an Olympic hopeful
interwoven with the community's dream to host the 1996 equestrian events
at the Georgia International Horse Park.
The Olympic Site Visit
There was still one more hurdle: the community was required to host a visit
from members of the International Equestrian Federation and the American
Horse Shows Association. This site visit was critical, because if these
delegates did not approve the site, ACOG could not give it consideration.
Two weeks advance notice of the visit would be given, and the delegates
would want to tour the site from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00p.m. On August 7, 1991,
three national and international representatives and two ACOG representatives
arrived by helicopter at the landing pad of the local hospital. This facility
was chosen to begin the presentation for several reasons: it had a landing
pad, and the delegation was coming by helicopter; this semiformal environment
would facilitate introductions and opening comments; it would demonstrate
the community's intellectual and technological facets by showing them Rockdale
Hospital and the new, state-of-the-art women's resource center; and it would
allay any concern about medical care, a major factor in selecting Olympic
venues. Once they arrived at the hospital conference room, the agenda for
the morning was distributed, and steering committee members began the presentation
with some technical information. Later, the delegates and the participants
went, by police escort, to a location on the proposed site. Their vehicles
were marked with magnetic signs proclaiming "The Georgia International
Horse Park, Conyers, Georgia". The heat in Georgia during the summertime
is a concern for equestrians everywhere. Yet it was decided, in fairness,
to hold the remainder of the presentations outdoors. Once the group was
on the site, the most technical aspect of the presentation began. Leaders
and consultants provided information on the soils, the temperature fluctuations,
wind patterns, topography, and so forth. The guests then went, in four wheel
drive vehicles, to inspect the site. Although the terrain was undeveloped,
and the tour rather rough, the delegates spent considerable time riding
and walking the entire 1,139 acres of land. When they had seen everything
there, they were given lunch and a final presentation at a farm adjacent
to the property. For approximately 30 minutes delegates and participants
informally talked together and got to know each other better. This point
in the presentation was critical because it would allow the delegates to
feel the enthusiasm, excitement, and support within the community. The luncheon
allowed further opportunity for conversation. When the meal was nearly finished,
a presentation was given about one part of the Horse Park proposal, a therapeutic
horsemanship program that provides programs for mentally and physically
disabled youngsters and adults. It included an actual demonstration with
youngsters and their horses. When the delegates lifted off in their helicopter,
the feeling among those present was euphoric! Both the technical information
and the sentiment had been successfully conveyed.
The Announcement
The wait began. Announcement of the awarding of the equestrian venue was
promised for shortly after Labor Day. There were delays; however, and September
came and went. As time passed, people began to feel less positive. Phone
calls came from people connected with other venue-hopefuls claiming they
had been awarded the venue. But it had been our policy from the beginning
to contact the ACOG as little as possible and not to attempt to use any
influence or do any game playing. Then October 21, 1991 arrived. Local officials
were contacted and asked to meet with ACOG officials at their headquarters
in Atlanta. When they returned, they had good news: the 1996 Olympic equestrian
events had been awarded to the Georgia International Horse Park.
The Centennial Olympic Games
The summer of 1996 in Conyers, Georgia was an exciting and momentous time.
Over 600,000 visitors visited the community during the period of the Centennial
Olympic Games. Every day of competition at the Georgia International Horse
Park was sold out. Spectators and athletes alike marveled at the beauty and
grandeur of the Horse Park. As the spectators entered the boundaries of
the Horse Park and approached the Grand Prix Stadium, they enjoyed the natural
aesthetics of the site as the competitions were underway. For the athletes,
the opportunity to compete in a new venue designed for their events was
memorable. Many called the stables at the Horse Park the finest in the world,
a Ritz-Carlton for horses. Athletes enjoyed our training facilities, our
retail shops and the warmth and compassion exhibited by the thousands of
volunteers and staff who made the competition possible. What effect did
these Games have outside of the Georgia International Horse Park? This is
where the best part of the Olympic legacy lies. Not everyone had a ticket
to see Jus de Pommes win the gold medal in Stadium Jumping or a ticket to
watch the first-ever Olympic mountain biking competition. Yet, residents
of Conyers, Georgia enjoyed the thrill and excitement of the Games. With
600,000 spectators passing through town, hotels and restaurants in Conyers
were full. Visitors searched for the perfect souvenir in local shops and many
visited the historic Olde Town district. Although we did not have rooms
to lodge all who attended events at the Georgia International Horse Park,
we did leave a warm impression on those who visited our town for the first
time.
The Legacy
Now that the Games are long gone, the legacy of the Olympic Games in Conyers,
Georgia is a new industry, tourism. The Georgia International Horse Park,
open year-round, hosts events nearly every day of the year. From equestrian
and mountain biking events, the Georgia International Horse Park has grown
to include concerts, fairs, festivals, road races, rodeos, hot air balloon
races, corporate outings and much more. With the Arnold Palmer designed
Cherokee Run Golf Club at the Park and the upcoming opening of Hawthorn
Suites & Golf Resorts, the GIHP continues to live up to its motto of Horses
and More. In addition, the Park includes a 160-acre nature preserve and
a traditional neighborhood development. Event promoters like to bring their
events to the GIHP because of its community. A show can only be successful
if the participants have lodging, dining and shopping to support their event.
Conyers has all this. With nearly 1,000 rooms in Conyers, event participants
have many choices for hotels. Nearly every major restaurant chain in the
Southeast has a restaurant in Conyers. From specialty items to Southern
cooking, event participants can find a meal to satisfy their tastes.
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