The Arena was completed in May 2025 thanks to a generous donation by Bonnie Stromberg in honor of her beloved thoroughbred Krems Valley who passed away in 2024. There is a memorial to Krems posted in the display billboard adjacent to the Arena. The billboard also holds a history of the property and a memorial tribute donated by Bonnie to horses that have passed at the Sanctuary.
The Arena was always a flurry of activity during the summer months when land donor Helen Johnson held her weekly riding camps. Kids came from far and near and many were repeat students over the years that grew up with Helen. Helen was an accomplished equestrian and trainer. We are pleased that due to Bonnie’s generosity we will be able to continue training & working horses at the same spot where Helen trained. Currently we do not have a riding program but hope to enhance our facility at some point in the future. The majority of our horses are full time pensioners.
There are many people that assisted in rehabbing and rebuilding the arena. It is now much larger and wider than the original and will be able to accommodate full jumps. Besides Bonnie paying the material costs to rehab and enlarge this arena, many volunteers dedicated countless hours including Rich, Sarah, Steven, Jeremiah, Paul, Kate, Sierra & Phil. Bliss purchased the much needed harrow and bought & installed the solar lights encircling the arena.
Many blackberries were sacrificed in order to open up the entire area as well as along the road leading to the main house. More blackberries were removed to open up an adjacent pasture and fence it. All blackberries encircling the front yard of the ranch house were removed as well. Rich donated and planted a row of old growth lilacs at the rear end of the arena. We also planted bulbs all along our fence line at the arena so we will have a riot of color next spring and every spring thereafter.
Thank you Bonnie Stromberg for making it possible for the Neigh Savers’ Sanctuary to showcase this beautiful jewel right at our front entrance for all to see.
