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]