A24-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 5, 2003 Welcoming Spring With Open Barn Doors MICHELLE KUNJAPPU Lancaster Farming Staff LITITZ (Lancaster Co.) Even through the precarious weather this winter, construction continued at Flintrock Stables, according to Dan Heller, operations manager at the stables. In spite of the snowy winter and wet spring “one challenge after another” said Heller, the bam was ready to open its doors to equine residents in March. “It’s amazing how well every thing turned out in spite of all of that (weather),” said Rick Haller who, along with Dan Heller, is a one The 50-acre farm includes 14 paddocks for turnout. of a three-way partnership that also includes Daryl Heller. The stables have opened in time to be a part of the upcoming Horse Farms Open House, April 12-13. More information on the open house is included at the end of this report. The stables, a riding and board ing facility, feature a complex with an 80 by 180-foot indoor riding arena. Overlooking the arena is an observation area that will be fitted with a small kitchen and furniture, according to Heller. A connected horse stables also has 28 stalls. Two tack rooms, two wash stalls, an office, and confer ence room are also part of the new facility. Additionally, horse owners can make use of a bathroom and shower. The 50-acre operation includes a sandstone barn built in 1816 and renovated in 2001, providing 12 stalls. The stable requires the labor of two full-time and a number of part time employees. Now that spring has arrived, horse owners will be making more consistent use of the two outdoor arenas. A lighted arena is adjacent to the stone barn, and the new fa cility features an outdoor area with a jump course. Besides the arenas, Dan Heller stands at the bank barn with one of the stable mascots. two miles of cross country trails are available for riders. Boarders and riding students come from nearby areas in Lititz, plus areas such as Lancaster, Her shey, Carlisle, Newburg, Shippens burg, Wyomissing, or Reading. Noel Carman, who lives on site, is the stable manager for the opera tion, making sure that the day's routines are running smoothly and that the boarders “feel very com fortable with their horses care here,” she said. Carman, who began part-time work in March 2000 and moved to full-time work in February, is enjoy- ing living on site with the horses since “I can always keep my eye on everything,” she said. The 24-hour supervision, she believes, is a big plus at the facility. Her job focus is day-to-day horse care, which includes feeding and turnout schedules, however in addi tion Garman teaches western horse manship lessons as well as barrel racing and pole bending. A competitor herself, Garman has received both barrel racing and pole bending world champion titles. One of the highlights of the farm is the large area available for horse turnout, according to Garman. Once construction is completed, 14 paddocks will be available for horses. Lending their expertise to the training program is Jerre and Phyl lis Frankhouser. The couple takes care of teaching the hunt seat pro gram. In addition to giving lessons to riders for education and also for competition they also train horses. Garman and the Frankhousers may give 50 lessons a week, a “pret ty intense lesson program,” accord ing to Dan Heller. Jerre, besides teaching and train ing, also shows horses and is a USA (Turn to Page ASS) The three-way partnership of Flintrock Farms includes, from left, Daryl Heller, Rick Haller, and Dan Heller.
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