History

Ram Tap Horse Park (RTHP) was founded as Ram Tap in 1957 and is the second oldest continuously operating Eventing facility in the United States. RTHP was started as Ram Tap by Pat and Marian Humphrey, trainers in the Fresno area who had been looking for a property where they could host Combined Training events (as Eventing was formerly known). The story goes that Pat was playing golf with some of his buddies, one of whom worked for PG&E, who said to Pat, “Hey! I’ve got an idea. PG&E owns property outside of Fresno that could be perfect for this!” And so Ram Tap was born. The name “Ram Tap” comes from Pat and Marian, as it is the first three letters of each of their names spelled backwards.

Ram Tap flourished for about 25 years under Pat and Marian, who then passed the property on to Bill Burton, who had grown up riding and working at Ram Tap. Bill and his wife Margaret ran it for another 30 years until health problems necessitated its sale in 2012. During that time, ‘Uncle Bill’ as became known to those especially in the Pony Club realm, continue to run Ram Tap in a family friendly atmosphere. He also hosted the old Fresno Pony Club for many years. He was always the first and last face seen during any event. When the sale fell through, Bill announced that he was going to shut Ram Tap down. 

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In 2021, Terry Hilst took over the FCHP and planned to continue John’s vision for FCHP while encouraging an environment of camaraderie and fun with our beloved horses. As of November 2021 FCHP returns to its origins, returning to the name Ram Tap Horse Park! RTHP hosts four USEA/USEF recognized Horse Trials and one USEA Combined Test each year, also hosts clinicians including Sir Mark Todd, Lucinda Green, Mary King, and Phillip Dutton. Would you like to schedule a clinic with your favorite trainer? Text or call (559) 572-0011.

Ram Tap Horse Park is offering schooling Horse Trials beginning in 2021. Click here to find out more!