09/09/2026
Yes, another deep reflection post. šŗšø
This photo probably doesnāt mean a lot to most people, but to us, it means EVERYTHING!
Itās such a great reminder that our barn is the happy place of so many children and adults. Itās another reminder that everything we do is worth it. It fills our hearts every time we step foot in that barn. There is just something about this place that is hard to explain.
This barn is good for the soul. ā¤ļø
I know that many barn owners can relate to what it takes to operate a well-run barn. Sometimes you walk into the barn and immediately see everything that needs to get done. You see the things that need fixing, the things that could be better, the things you want to improve, and the endless list of things that come with operating a busy farm and lesson program. Not including taking wonderful care of every animal here.
Sometimes it can feel overwhelming.
But tonight, I was reminded of WHY we are here and WHY we love what we do.
No matter what hoops we are jumping through behind the scenes, itās all worth it.
Most people donāt know that we have been battling for the past two years just to have our barn and our program approved. The amount of rules, regulations, requirements, meetings, and hoops we have had to jump through has been incredibly tough and exhausting. Most would have given up, but stepping foot in that barn and seeing the smiles, the laughter, chatting with the parents and kids, our adult riders being in the saddle learning new things. It's all worth it. Every bit of it is worth it.
At our original CUP meeting, we filled every seat in the building with our students and their families. They came because they believed in what Carley was building. Many of them stood up and shared what our barn does for their children and their families. They shared the impact this program has had on their lives.
We will never, ever be able to thank everyone who showed up for us that night.
That night meant more to us than people will ever know.
Today, we have a fully approved CUP to operate.
But getting here came with two years of attorney fees involving three attorneys and three different law firms. Each attorney and firm had their own specialty, and each one helped us navigate a different part of this process.
There were SO many hoops to jump through. Things that no one should have to deal with.
We had to do things to our barn that I honestly have not seen required at 95% of the farms in our county... or at many farms anywhere around the state or even out of state for that matter.
There were times when we wondered if it would ever be finished. To be honest, we're still not sure what else they will throw at us! This is the very reason why you see very little new commercially approved barns within the state. It's not easily attainable. It's really sad, because all of these farms across the state are refuge for so many people. We need every single equestrian program in our county and around the state. There's not enough, we all do so much good for our communities, that we should all be supported and welcomed with open arms. We understand life and safety rules! Those are absolutely needed! But if everyone knew all the other ridiculous things they try to make us do, it infuriates me!
There were times when it felt like every time we crossed one hurdle, another one appeared.
But we kept going.
And we did it.
We now have our approval, and we are looking forward to something we have dreamed about for a long time ā our second barn, which will be going up in the spring of 2027!
This new barn has also been a journey. Once again, we have had a lot of hoops to jump through because of all the state codes and requirements.
But when we look at what we are building, we know it will all be worth it.
This will be a full-steel barn with a 200' x 80' indoor riding arena specifically for our students. It will have 6 cross ties, a large 30' x 20' heated observation room, and two handicap-accessible bathrooms.
Our CUP has fully approved this new barn, along with another large outdoor riding arena and additional paddocks.
We cannot WAIT for 2027!
Are we bummed that we missed the cutoff to get our barn put up this year? Absolutely. After everything we went through with the Town and County regulations, we simply ran out of time to get it done this year.
But weāre choosing to look forward.
2027 will be our year! ā¤ļø
And in the meantime, I am so incredibly proud of the program that my daughter, Carley, has built.
It just keeps getting better and better.
We continue to learn. We continue to improve. We continue to grow. And we continue to figure out how we can make this program even better for our students and their families.
We are so excited about what the future holds and about having more space to grow our program and make it even greater.
If you would have asked me a couple of years ago if we would be employing 11 instructors and personally owning 30 horses, I probably would have laughed.
Seriously.
I never could have imagined that this is where we would be.
Many people told us that Carley wouldnāt make it. They told her that farms are costly. That they are an incredible amount of work. That running a horse business is difficult.
And some people told her that this was simply a āpipe dream.ā
Well, Iām here to say that I am SO incredibly proud of my daughter.
She believed in herself when other people didnāt.
She kept going when things were hard.
She continued building when people questioned whether she could do it.
And now, to see her business approved for a second barn and to see so many other people have faith in what she is doing is absolutely everything to me.
I know some people will assume that we are paying for this new barn venture.
We absolutely are not.
This is all Carley.
This is her business. Her vision. Her dream. Her hard work. Her dedication.
And honestly, watching her build this from the ground up has been one of the greatest things I have ever witnessed.
But while this is Carleyās business, none of this would be possible without all of YOU.
Every student who walks through our doors.
Every parent who trusts us with their child.
Every instructor who pours their heart into teaching.
Every family who continues to support us.
Every person who has shared a post, told a friend about us, cheered us on, showed up to a meeting, encouraged Carley, or simply believed in what she was building.
You are part of this story.
From the absolute bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.
This is just the beginning. ā¤ļø
Tonight, I was called to see if I could bring more ribbons down to the barn.
This photo was taken at 7:15 p.m.
And as I stood there looking around, I started thinking about how far we have come.
Those ribbons represent so much more than ribbons.
They represent students who have worked hard.
They represent early mornings, late nights, lessons, practices, horse shows, successes, disappointments, tears, smiles, and countless hours spent learning and growing.
They represent children who have gained confidence.
Adults who have found a place that makes them happy.
Students who have found their people.
Families who have found a community.
And they represent a barn that has become so much more than a building.
There are now 150+ students coming in and out of our barn every single week, and that is with us only being open for lessons five days a week.
When I stop and think about that, it blows my mind.
Thank you all, we deeply love each and every one of you!
To the past, to the present, and to the future! We're blessed!!
šš¼š“šŗšø
