KAYSVILLE—Equestrian enthusiasts in Davis County have found a home. The new Davis Agricultural Heritage Center will be up and running soon and offers a facility for barrel racing, mounted shooters, open riding and more. The center is located at 676 S. 50 West in Kaysville near the USU Botanical Center.

“Horse show barrel racing, mounted shooters and clubs have already booked from November through March,” said Diane Huffman, events and arena manager. “Roping clubs have already reached out and want to use it.”

The facility is 280x130 indoor and 280x150 outdoor, she said. “We wanted to preserve the agricultural heritage in Davis County. There will still be a 4H stock show where you can see the kids' livestock. Community Christmas that provides for families in need will be here on Dec. 16.”

There will be local jackpots next spring, Huffman said. “The jackpot is money riders pay to enter that goes back to those who win. That will draw 110 barrel racers every week. Those events draw a lot of people. We’ll have 10-20 clubs using it too.”

“This replaces what was at the Legacy Center,” said Davis County Commissioner Randy Elliott. “The Legacy Center will be for sports. We’re using $5 million from the tourism tax which comes from restaurants and hotels.”

The facility features fold down bleachers that can hold about 250 spectators, said Huffman. “We got the paneling system, water troughs, stalls and the tractor from the Legacy Center.”

There are stalls available to rent, she said. “They are $20 a night that includes one bag of shavings. It’s $12 a bag If you need more.”

Huffman said there is a wash station next to the stalls. “That way you don’t have to take a clean animal through the mud to get back to the pens.”

The center uses laser eye stakes to set barrel patterns, she said. “It’s attached to the ceiling and shines down the pattern. That way you don’t have to go out and measure patterns. A barrel pattern is a minimum of 18 feet off the fence and 25 feet off the far fence; those are the basic measurements to set our pattern.”

Local barrel clubs in the Weber/Davis area have been using the Golden Spike, said Huffman. Now they’ll have this opportunity to get their horses on different ground. We’re pretty central because we’re in between for the Days of 47 and Ogden. They’ll be traveling and need a place to stay. We hope to be that place.”

Huffman said because the center is new, it gives people the opportunity to book with them. “Others are so booked out people can’t even think of going to ride there.”

“We’re super excited to see people here embrace the agricultural industry,” said Elliott. “It’s hidden but it’s present.”

It’s a great building and will soon be up and ready for use, he said. “There’s still a segment of the population that’s out there who are equestrian enthusiasts. We’ve been looking for a spot for a long time. It’s still in demand and we’re catering to that demand. We didn’t forget about you.”

A grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place on Oct. 24 from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. with demonstrations by “Utah’s Mounted Thunder” – the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Club and Davis 4H.