Our cross country venue is a hidden treasure, surrounded by mountains and stunning desert landscapes. We are fun, our course is inviting, safe, and competitive, and we offer learning opportunities for all levels. We love horses, we love eventing, we love people, and we plan to become a major player in the eventing circuit. Come play with us!

Our Mission and background

The Southern Arizona Eventing Association (SAzEA) was formerly operated under the name Grass Ridge Equestrian Foundation (GREF), a recognized non-profit charitable organization. GREF was the sponsoring organization for horse trials and showing activities held at Grass Ridge Farm in Sonoita, Arizona for 46 years. Following the deaths of owners George and Nina Masek, Grass Ridge Farm closed its competition facility in 2014 and the organization’s name was changed to Southern Arizona Eventing Association (SAzEA). Throughout 2014 and 2015, SAzEA worked closely with Grass Ridge Farm and the Masek family to dismantel and move the cross country course infrastructure. SAzEA sought to provide as much assistance as possible with the Masek’s goal of returning the grassland to a more native state, and in return was able to preserve jumps and jump building material for use at a new venue. 

SAzEA’s entire volunteer board spent close to two years exploring venue opportunities and eventually developing a new competition and schooling venue for Southern Arizona. Our focus was on keeping eventing viable in Southern Arizona and supporting our local communities by bringing competitors, sponsors, and spectators to our beautiful deserts, mountains, and grasslands. In 2017 we entered into a multi-year sublease with the Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc. for over 60 acres of land at the Pima County Fairgrounds (PCF) located in Tucson, Arizona. That land agreement was expanded with additional acreage in 2022. This property houses our extraordinary cross-country course, the only such course in Southern Arizona. Our location is adjacent to the outstanding equestrian facilities available at the PCF, in close proximity to the amenities and attractions of the welcoming and beautiful city of Tucson, and, right off of Interstate 10. Our first horse trials were hosted in March 2019 and there has been no stopping us since. Everything we do is funded through fundraising, donations, and volunteering by our supporters.  You can Donate to help keep us strong.

Photograph by Taylor Marie Images