The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
A plan trotted out to mingle horses with tourists this summer ended in a compromise.
Olde Virginia Carriage Co. was given permission Tuesday to run horse rides on the beach from Labor Day to early June, but not during the busier summer season. Before the council's action, the company could offer supervised horseback riding only from November to mid-April.
The decision to keep the horses off the hottest sand means the earliest the horses could ride again this year is after Labor Day.
Since the company's current contract ends Nov. 1, the council will likely take more action on the topic this fall.
Natasha Clarke, company president, left Tuesday's council meeting without making a public comment. She has said that she needs a longer season to make a profit.
Clarke has estimated that she has lost $50,000 since she started offering horseback and carriage rides in 2006.
The compromise passed by a 9-2 vote. Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and Councilwoman Reba McClanan both voted no.
Under the new operating rules, the Police Department has the power to ban the horses if it feels the riding "would jeopardize public safety."
Councilman Bill DeSteph said the horses will be allowed on the beach until the second Friday in June, traditionally the time local schools let out for summer break and summer crowds swell.
Clarke could offer rides - which she has called "an adult pony ride" - from 5 p.m. to dusk in late spring, which would keep her and her horses away from busy midday crowds.
Councilman John Uhrin said the compromise lets Clarke expand her business, but it doesn't move the horses into the resort's prime tourist time.
"To take it right into the middle of the season," Uhrin said, "I didn't feel comfortable with it."
Council members delayed a vote on the issue two weeks ago to review potential health issues from horse droppings, but those were barely broached Tuesday.
Uhrin said problems with the majority of horse waste is covered by having the horses wear oversize diapers known as "bun bags."
"The concerns just really aren't there," DeSteph said.
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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Can't understand why Myrtle
Can't understand why Myrtle Beach would be a better travel destination!
For those who whine about ousting the mility so "Va Beach can be the wonderful tourist destination it could be". This is an example that it's not the military holding back Va Beach's potential, it's your gov't officials.
How did people ever survie
How did the human race ever survive before cars when these four legged death machines were used all over the place?
Horses and Crowded Beach in Summer a Bad Mix!
I think there is too much opportunity for injury to people or the horses to have them together during the hot crowded days of Summer. Folks don't generally come to an Ocean beach to ride horses. There is also the smell of horses which is quite offensive. I applaud the City Council for nixing the idea. The Va. Carriage Company was able to secure a few extra months onto their contract so everyone should be pretty happy. Nice display of democracy at work. Why do some of you folks just enjoy moaning and groaning?
typical
this is typical for this area, unless it helps the rich get richer it's a bad idea. I LOVE Myrtle Beach and I would be there if I didn't HAVE to be here! Your right this idea was too classy for Va. Beach!
Taxemdorf Agan!!! Vote Them Out!!!!
Guess TaxemDorf could'nt make any money off this business. The lady should have put another "Hotel on the Beach" instead of horses!!!!
Riding on the beach?
That's way too classy for VB. SHUT UP AND BUY A T-SHIRT!
stupidest thing i ever heard
this has got to be one of the stupidest things that i have ever heard of. animals belong in a zoo or on a farm. warning: if i step in any animal poo i will quickly scoop it up and hurl it at the nearest horse and rider.
But it's OUR beach!
God forbid anyone think of a way to add something that people might actually want to do to the oceanfront-unless of course the hotel/motel owners association or the city could make money off of it. I guess we'd rather have more people drinking in bars and then getting arrested for being drunk in public, huh?
Horses on the Beach?
She lost $50,000.00? Sounds like she wants the city council to let her make up her losses with her horses stomping around the oceanfront beach. I think she made a bad business decision. She knew coming in what was to be....but all they have to do is cry their eyeballs to the council and all will be okay!
Horses on the beach...
Take THAT Myrtle Beach!
jmo