Conference noted::equitation

    It is a stable that is being built on the west side Route 2A/119 in
    Littleton near the Acton Line/Nagog Pond. I have no details as to what
    kind of horse operation this will be. The Consulting Engineers who came
    before the Littleton Conservation Commission, of which I am a member,
    were only concerned with demonstrating that the building was entirely
    outside the 100 ft buffer zone to the wetlands at the back of the
    property, which it is. The only notable feature of the plan that was
    submitted to the Commission was that the leaching field for the septic
    system is way at the other end of the property. This land does not
    "perc", which is why it hasn't been built on before. 

    I was told they are Quarter Horse people.  

    I find it amazing that anyone would put up another big indoor in
    Littleton ctr.  There must be at least 5 big indoors with a 5
    mile radius of this new barn.

  Any update on the new neighbors?

    Construction of this stable was halted for the winter. It is not
    finished yet.

I heard last night that it is scheduled for completion in September 1993

    Hi!!  In case anyone is still wondering about the new farm on 2A
    in littleton......Its called Larkspur Farm.  Its owned by Sarah Cupp
    of Lexington, and will be a boarding farm.  They'll have about 38
    stalls when complete. They have about 15 horses there now.  They'll
    do dressage and huntseat instruction.  Board will be $580/mo.
    
    I couldn't take it anymore!  I had to go find out!!!  
    I had heard so many different rumors!
    
    Caroline
    

    Wasn't sure if anyone had checked it out yet.....but....
    I couldn't take it anymore!  Louisa Pierce and I went to visit
    the new barn on Rt. 2A Littleton.
    
    The name is Larkspur Farm.  Its a boarding farm, and they'll have
    instruction in Dressage and Huntseat. They have 2 of their own
    instructors.  Also beginner lessons....
    
    Its owned by Sarah Cupp of Lexington.  They will have 38 (approx.)
    stalls when complete....there is about 20 stalls now, with 10-15
    horses in already.  The turnout is good...they try keep them out
    all day, if this is the wish of the owner.  Or the small pens are
    for the horses that are required to only be out 2-3 hours.
    The board is $580.  Not bad for having an indoor ring that size!
    
    Thats all we found out from the woman that was there.  
    The barn is breathtaking.....all $1M of it......
    
    I can rest now....................
    Caroline
    

    Re: .0
    
    Are you serious, the board was $580 ???
    
    Tina

    Yes, i'm serious!  Board at some places I know are more than that! They
    tend to be much higher with the indoor rings.....Some place include
    your lessons with the board. (Maplewood) but I didn't ask about that
    here.
    
    I think I'll stay where I'm at....
    
    Caroline
    

    580 a month !?!?!?!?!?
    
    Forgive my shock, but is that the going rate in that area ?? Yikes!!!
     

    
    I'm sure some of this high cost is due to a mortgage, but wow!
    Possibly they offer some good trainers on site?  Upland
    has one of the largest indoor (wooden) arenas and a 220x110 outdoor
    ring.... and her board is just over 1/2 of that......  of course
    her location is definitately not close to the northern sections of
    mass, which littleton covers..... Maybe, that is the going rate for the
    northern part of mass.  I'm just glad I live in the boonies and could
    afford board if I had a horse!  (when I can have one at home is when
    I'll have mine!!) 
    
    Do they have alot of turn out space? for separate turn-outs?  
    
    Nancy

    Hi again,  The turn out is pretty good....its looks like the most in
    one field (they have 3 or 4 LARGE paddocks and about 5 small ones) is
    3 horses....But the barn isn't 1/2 full yet either.
    
    I really couldn't say what the attraction is (to charge 580) because 
    unless you LIKE going around-and around-and around in an indoor....
    there doesn't seem to be many trails to do anything else!  
    
    personally, there ain't nothin' like galloping through fluffy snow!
    ;-)
    
    Caroline
       

    
    The place were I take lessons is 850/month!  So 550 is a deal. 
    But I did hear that a place right down the rode from Lakspear
    is 450.
    
    This place is beautiful!  Everything is 1st class!  The person
    we talked to was very nice and helpful and excited to tell you all
    about the new farm.
    
    But, like Caroline said, there is nothing to do but school your horse.
    you are right on 2A and I can't see crossing 2A to do trails are
    Bobbies Riding ranch (if it will be evern allowed to use them)
    
    Louisa

If there's a wet spring, all the paddocks at this place will become 
swimming pools.  See discussions in a previous note.  If you notice, the
foundation of the barn has been built up a bit from the surrounding turnout
areas. 


BTW,  do you know who will be teaching there?

    
    Took a peek at this place on my way by at lunch today.  Nice set-up,
    nice stalls and indoor ring, but no other place to ride, and it won't
    take long for the paddocks to be torn into massive mudpuddles.
    
    L-

    
    BTW, anyone know who built the building for Ms. Cupp?
    
    

>    BTW, anyone know who built the building for Ms. Cupp?

I believe it's A&B - the same folks that built the new barn/indoor for 
Proctor Hill Farm.

I took a look at it too...  I'd never been it a new barn before in my 
life.  It was quite a shock.  :-)

Skip Billingham is taking care of the jumper lessons and Dressage is
by Leslie Lonergan.  Barn should be nearly full by the beginning of
December and there is another wing that hasn't been made into stalls
yet and is just storage at the moment.