Looking for a Few Good Club Members
Hummingbird Nest Ranch Announces a New Private Club Membership Opportunity

"Everyone deserves one really good idea". That what's David Saperstein said as we toured Hummingbird Nest Ranch, his 125 acre state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Simi Valley in March. Saperstein's "really good idea", or in his case, his "really good billion-dollar idea", came to him as he was stuck in traffic one day and decided that radio stations needed a syndicated traffic reporting service and that he was the perfect person to do it. In 1978, he founded Metro Networks and later sold the company to Westwood One for $1.25 billion in stocks. So it might be said, that Hummingbird Nest Ranch is the ranch that traffic built.

But traffic, or any form of congestion, is a world away once you're behind the gates of this exclusive compound, for which Saperstein now has yet another good idea.

"I'd like to find 10 to 15 families who'd like to come make this their private country club", he said, adding that the idea came to him once again while he was cooling his heels—this time at an equestrian event while watching his former wife and kids ride. "It seems no matter how nice the event, there was never enough space for the dads to sit and watch".

"But, we can do that", said Saperstein whose 17,000-square-foot clubhouse would be the cornerstone from which club members could meet, plan functions, sit out on the deck and read or watch the kids ride. And if a club member wanted to invite family and friends to stay on—perhaps spend the weekend or more—they could enjoy one of five different guest houses or plan for a dinner party at the clubhouse, where they could order up a gourmet meal or plan for a festive function for up to 2,000 people. The clubhouse includes both private and public dining areas, and there is always enough room in the kitchen for another chef. The kitchen has a Meister Bonnet stove imported from France, one of only three in the country, that allows for up to six chefs to cook at one time.

Saperstein employs a staff of nearly 50 people, most of whom he appears to know by first name, including his original builder Craig Bennett, who built Fleur de Lys, his 45,000-square-foot estate in Beverly Hills, along with his other homes in Malibu, Vail, Colorado and Houston, Texas. "I continue to find new projects for him", said Saperstein.

He is meticulous about details and is an ardent environmentalist. As we traveled around the ranch in his electric golf cart, he was obviously proud to point out that the landscaping is all done in native plants by gardener Peter Fletcher, with whom he stops to chat and offer up a few ideas of his own concerning the latest plantings.

When Saperstein first started to build the ranch in 2004, he insisted on the development of a solar-power system to power 100% of the ranch's utilities. He said that it's not so much that it saves money as that it gives him peace of mind.

For the last year and a half Saperstein has been busy envisioning his plans for a private equestrian club at the ranch, and along with resident barn manager and trainer Sarah Scott he has designed a list of services that will make equine ownership virtually turnkey for club members.

Scott said they are looking for families with young riders, adult amateurs or trainers with an exclusive clientele who desire a private facility, far away from the paparazzi while still offering own helipad.

"We have a lot to offer here", she explained. The ranch includes an international grand prix field with several banks, water jumps, double liverpool and a grob along with a Derby Field with several natural obstacles and a larger grob area, plus a 250- by 300-foot sand arena with Nike footing, access to trails and more than 20 green turnouts and room for up to 60 horses.

There are three barns on the property that include automatic fly misting systems, hot and cold running water, large cross ties and emergency lighting as well as individual heaters and fans. The larger of the three barns, a 25,000-square-foot facility, features a laundry facility and a large centralized tack room and fully equipped kitchen, along with a video monitoring system that provides 24/7 security.

Surveying his property from the clubhouse's top floor, which overlooks both jumping arenas and offers a sweeping view of the Santa Susana Mountains at the ranch's perimeter, Saperstein said, "I always loved this place. From the time we first started to build it, I thought it was a good idea. Now I just want to share it".

For more information about Hummingbird Nest Ranch, visit www.hummingbirdnestranch.com.