mous Equestrian Hills training facility — three indoors and

mous Equestrian Hills training facility — three indoors and 150 horses—in Indiana, then moved to Hilltop Farm in Maryland.

Having done the “commuter marriage thing,” Debbie Craig said, while her husband consulted businesses in New England, she jumped at the Chance to settle in Virginia’s horse country in 1994. They looked long and hard for the perfect property that combined history, beauty, ride-out, rolling terrain and enough land for paddocks, pastures and an eventual dressage training arena.

Walter Craig said, “My kids used to show at the Warrenton and Upperville shows, so I knew the area. We knew Virginia horse country had everything we needed.”

They built up clientele at Lantern Lane, advertising upper-level dressage instruction, quality school horses and a relaxing atmosphere. “But it got too big,” Debbie Craig said. “I hated to have a payroll for what was supposed to be a small, personal business.”

Last year, they sold the old house and bam and 15 acres, reinvesting the profit in the new house and stable. “We’ve downsized,” she said.

When complete, Lantern Lane will feature three suites. Offered are several special overnight and weekend packages that include instruction, lodging, some meals and use of a school horse, or boarding for a personal horse.

“That’s another thing we offer,” Debbie Craig added. ‘People can bring their own horses and come and ride out from here. We’ve got tons of trails.”

Hunter-jumper riders, foxhunters and pleasure riders can use morning sessions to work on improving flatwork and then take to the trail in the afternoon. “The best part is, it’s all custom,” Debbie Craig said. ‘We can design a riding vacation around exactly what you might want to work on.”

Lantern Lane Farm can be reached by calling (540) 9373758, or logging onto www. lantemlanefarm.com.