El2-Boarder & Trainer, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 12, 2002 Rabold Shares Horse Pleasure Through Carriage Rides LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor NEWMANSTOWN (Lebanon Co.) Ruth Ann Rabold grew up helping her dad with horses. The Myerstown farmer used horses in plowing demonstrations and circus parades. Ruth Ann showed horses and competed in barrel racing. After her marriage to Donald Rabold, Ruth Ann lived without horses for four years, but her heart yearned to handle a horse again. So much so that she pur chased a bridle on impulse and hid it in a closet. When her husband was search ing for something, his hand groped the bridle, and he asked, “What’s all this strap stuff?” He did not share her love for horses, but he conceded to her wish, and Ruth Ann soon had a horse for trail riding and show ing. Horses brought Ruth Ann so much pleasure that she wanted to share them even more with oth ers. For years she harbored a se cret desire to provide horse and carriage rides for weddings, par ties, proms, and other affairs. That meant loading the horses and carriages on a truck to trans port them to the site specified by clients. It was a hefty job. Her husband said that if she wanted to do it, she could, but not to ex pect any help from him. “He was busy with his heavy construction work, and he doesn’t enjoy horses,” Ruth Ann said. So she learned to drive truck to transport her horse to shows. “Not many women were doing that 25-30 years ago,” Ruth Ann said. “Today my husband often helps me by driving the truck. He’ll even hook up the horse and carriage,” Ruth Ann said. The couple had three children, who are now adults and have provided them with five grand children. Somewhere along the way, Ruth Ann purchased sever al miniature horses and donkeys for her grandchildren. Soon she was taking the miniature animals to birthday parties. Ruth Ann had purchased a Paint draft horse from her fa ther’s stock that was disbursed after his death. “I like Paint because it is un usual. Draft horses are normally solid colored. You can cross a draft horse and a Paint and hope to get a Paint, but it is never guaranteed,” she said. According to Ruth Ann, Paint ed breeds are in vogue among horse people now, but the “hot” colors go in cycles. Ruth Ann provides horses and carriages to match formal or western themes. She enjoys deco rating the carriages to comple ment the colors of the bridal party. She also dresses in a white or black suit with a top hat for formal affairs, in gowns for those with a renaissance flavor, and in a cowgirl hat and clothing for western occasions. We Ship New & Used UPS Saddles HmwCi. Saddle & Tack Repair Ph. 610-286-7949 Fax 286-0044 HOURS; file 23 1 mi E of Churchtown Monday 8-6 2368 Mam Street Tues Thurs Fn 8-5 Sat 8-3 Narvon PA 17555 Closed Wed and Sun. 21 ACRE HORSE FACILITY 25 Stall Barn Large Indoor and Outdoor Arenas - SgE l ytyjaaaaLrwwff ***** Exceptional equine boarding and training facil ity set in the scenic foothills of the Blue Mountain. Great location, close to Rt. 309 & 895. This 160 x 108 bam features a 70 x 140 indoor arena, with large viewing lounge, office, kitchen, etc. A 36 x 160 main bam with 25 tongue and groove box stalls, two tack rooms, wash stall, and extensive hay storage. Also a 21 x 70 addition with six portable stalls. Other features include three large fenced pastures, 36 x 18 run-in bam, 50 ft. round pen and 235 x 110 outdoor arena with lighting, excellent foot ing and announcer’s stand. The land is an excel lent mix of pasture, wooded areas, stream and picturesque pond. Build the house of your dreams on a spectacular hill top setting with beautiful views in every direction. A well planned equestrian property m a beautiful, quiet, mountain setting. $425,000 Call for brochure or check our website for additional information W r new Pennsylvania Vj M realty, me. j Farms, Country Estates, end Historic Properties Rt. I, Box 123, New Ringgold, PA 17960 570-386-5000 or 610-398-2559 Specializing in Farm Real Estate Since 1974 Ruth Ann Rabold, dressed in black hat and tails, uses horse and carriage to transport a bridal couple to the reception. “I like meeting people and going to different (Turn to Page El 3) Schuylkill County, PA If - -i J www.newpennrealty.com NERO is an amazingly beautiful, versatile, elegant stallion. His K temperament and confirmation - and P come in a variety of colors! After all, |i you can’t ride color! Mountain ■ Horses have a gentle disposition and Sale. Riding Lessons and Training Available. Chesterfield South 1130 Pine Grove Rd., Fredericksburg, PA., 17026 (717)-865-7097 or (717)-865-5861. Website: www.nicarry.com E-mail: Inicarry ©earthlink.net Also Dealer for Herbal and Natural Supplements. A | ▼ i tt •t]
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