It鈥檚 been 50 years since Thunderbird Show Park opened its doors, and it鈥檚 celebrating by giving back to 50 riders over this summer鈥檚 major events.

As the park in North 91原创 welcomes thousands of riders, from youngsters at their first competition to Olympic- and world-level athletes, 50 of those riders will find all their entry and stabling fees paid for them.

鈥淲e just pick up the tab for them,鈥� said Jane Tidball, board chair and CEO at tbird, as the park is often known.

The average entry is about $800, with some higher for longer or major events, so by the end of the summer, tbird will have given back $50,000, Tidball said. It鈥檚 an appropriate marker for the site鈥檚 50th anniversary.

Tidball noted that a lot of the riders who get chosen in the random draws will also go home with some prize money, as the contests have significant purses attached to them.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to actually pay pretty well to get the best riders in the world,鈥� said Tidball.

Thunderbird Show Park was founded by Tidball鈥檚 parents, George and Diane on a site near 200th Street and 88th Avenue in Walnut Grove.

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After their daughter Kathy had asked for a horse, and the family had acquiesced, they had become more and more involved in the equestrian world and its sports. In the early 1970s, the Tidballs bought 27 acres that would become the first Thunderbird Equestrian Centre.

The site grew quickly, adding facilities (and a Keg Steakhouse 鈥� George Tidball had founded that restaurant chain as well) until the site was packed, Jane recalled.

With no room left to grow, the Tidballs shut down the first version of tbird in 1998, and moved east, to their current site on the corner of 248th Street and 72nd Avenue, where they had 100 acres to fill up with new riding rings, stables, and other facilities.

鈥淚t鈥檚 set up the way we always wanted to on 200th Street,鈥� said Tidball.

Despite all the extra room, even more space is needed. Tbird recently bought more land nearby to expand its space for trailers to park, housing many of the athletes and trainers who come to the shows.

But if recent events are any indication, they鈥檒l still need more space for everyone who wants to come. Jane noted that an upcoming show saw 1,100 stalls sell out in 11 minutes online. A new giant tent purchased from 91原创 Township will help add another 100 stalls this year.

After 50 years, the ownership of tbird remains entirely within the family. Jane and her siblings form the majority of the owners, with the third generation waiting in the wings.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool working with your family,鈥� Jane said. Each of her siblings has some expertise, in building, cooking, or riding, that they bring to the business.

The first half-century of tbird has gone by pretty fast, Jane said.

鈥淚t has flown by, and we have enjoyed every minute of it.鈥�

She said her parents, who passed away some years ago, are the reason it exists, and their philosophy of making it better every season continues to drive the family now.

鈥淭he reason I鈥檓 still working here is keep the legacy of my mom and dad, George and Dianne Tidball,鈥� Jane said.