NCAL Purchases 14-Acre Ryder Brook Horse Farm

North Country Animal League has received a $445,000 gift for the purchase of the neighboring “Ryder Brook” horse farm.

 

Made by an anonymous donor, the gift allows NCAL to secure the 14.3-acre property adjacent to the animal shelter, which includes a 29-stall horse barn, indoor arena, and caretaker’s home for the purpose of future expansion of NCAL’s programs and services. Our plan is to maintain the property as a horse farm while undergoing strategic planning to determine the best future use of the property in keeping with the mission to promote compassionate and responsible relationships between humans and animals. In the short-term, NCAL plans to lease the facility to an established local stable, which will provide private board, training and winter riding opportunities and manage the operations of the barn. NCAL plans to partner with the stable to expand their humane education program and opportunities for local kids in the summer of 2020. 

 

Jesse Goldfine of Horsley Lajoie Goldfine in Stowe donated legal services and Maggie Macdonald and the Smith Macdonald Group of Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate donated real estate services to support NCAL in the transaction. NCAL closed on the property Friday, December 13th.

 

“We have been given an incredible opportunity to secure this property for the animals and our community,” says NCAL Executive Director, Tracy Goldfine. “I am beyond excited about the future potential and growth of our efforts to connect people with animals, including humane education programs, which will allow us to maximize our impact in our community. I look forward to growing our programs thoughtfully, while continuing to respond to the challenges and needs facing homeless or at-risk animals in our community.”

 

The old Ryder Brook horse farm, which was established in the mid-1970’s, is a beloved place to many in the Stowe and Morrisville communities who share in its history. Originally planned as a riding and hunt club community to include 27 2-acre residential lots, the property has been mostly kept as a riding stable with open horse pasture. A few smaller parcels have been subdivided and sold off over the years, but the majority of the original farm has remained intact.