The Los Angeles Equestrian Center receives the heart of the city award from the Burbank chamber

Jun 2

The Los Angeles Equestrian Center received the “Heart of the City” Award from the Burbank Chamber of Commerce in front of 100’s of guests, local business leaders, and government officials at the Burbank Chamber Excellence Awards event on Saturday, May 31st. We were recognized for our efforts as an official evacuation center during the 2025 LA fires for over 400 horses and large animals and for how we serve the community as a park, an equestrian center, and a magical space for special events like horse shows, weddings, candlelight drone concerts, and concert festivals. We received recognition from the Burbank Chamber, City of Burbank, LA County Board of Supervisors, CA State Senate, and CA State Assembly. Our acceptance speech thanked and celebrated all the different groups and people who helped us during the emergency. It was so wonderful to be acknowledged and to share the award with our community, all who helped so generously, and for all of us getting the job done! It is such a privilege to serve the mission of the equestrian center and our community.

Special thanks to the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, Fleet of Angels, LA Parks and Recreation, Animal Services, Equine Advisory Committee, KTLA News, Fox News, ABC 7 News, KCAL 9 News, International Associated Press, all businesses donating water, food, snacks and huge bags of carrots, feed, hay, and shavings companies sending us daily and weekly donated truck loads, heroes with horse trailers driving into the fire areas to rescue those without transportation, and the 100's of dedicated volunteers who came for 7 weeks to help tirelessly with whatever was needed - hauling equipment and supplies, feeding hay, filling water buckets, and even cleaning stalls. We could not have served all the evacuees without everyone working together.

We are so honored to accept this award on behalf of our entire community. Thank you Burbank Chamber for your support and for this beautiful award.

You can check out the event highlights here: https://youtu.be/IoGDt1bvqu8?si=6Ed0W-bJvIhhB9s5 (video credit: Parry-Riposte Films)

Jennie Nevin, Executive Director of Business Development & Communication, accepts the award on behalf of the Equestrian Center