The horse has always been a symbol of the American Southwest and that symbol is no more prevalent than here in our own backyard.

 Since 1946, equestrian activities have been a staple at the Lakewood Equestrian Center where natural beauty and open spaces are the order of the day. Located at 11369 East Carson Street, Lakewood, CA 90715, the LEC is conveniently located just west of the 605 freeway. The property is also easily accessible from three other major freeways including Interstate 405, California State Route 91 and Interstate 710. 

In 1946, Glenn Spiller established the Lakewood Stables on nearly 8.5 acres of land. From 1946 until 1976, Mr. Spiller maintained that he had a “working ranch” in the middle of suburbia. He offered children’s riding lessons and hayrides on the property and even managed cattle on the site.

Mr. Spiller sold the property to Juan de Cordova in 1976. Mr. de Cordova and his sons also owned de Cordova and Sons Horse Ranch in Cerritos. In 1979, the City of Lakewood purchased the ranch house and its property from Mr. de Cordova and coupled it with a license agreement with the Southern California Edison Company (SCE) enlarging the center to almost 19 acres. Mr. de Cordova managed facility operations at the Lakewood Equestrian Center from 1980 until 1985.

In 1987, Christine Baredian and her business partner Gloria Simpson assumed a lease agreement with the city under the business name, Sandie Mercer Stables Inc. Sandie Mercer, the facility’s namesake, would take over the business operation in 2007 serving in a leadership capacity until her retirement as the property’s lessee. The City’s lease with Sandie Mercer Stables Inc. expired on October 31, 2020, and on November 1, 2020, the city entered into a one-year agreement with SJ Equestrian to manage the facility and its day-to-day operations. The agreement with SJ Equestrian was extended through October 31, 2023. Since November 1, 2023, City of Lakewood personnel has managed facility operations and maintenance with assistance from Hacienda Sosegado, LLC. providing personnel to manage horse care.