With days on the road consisting of training sessions and intense competition around the world, Olympian Reed Kessler and her parents, riders Murray and Teri Kessler, enjoy switching gears when they return to their home base at Kessler Show Stable in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Kesslers relocated from New York to this 150-acre property in Kentucky in the spring of 2012, after spending two years searching for the right facility.

For Reed and her developing string of international and national equine partners, the well-located facility means she can relax every so often, but also focus on the details of her training program, from workouts in the gym to working the horses.

As Murray explains,  “With obvious benefits for the horses, quality of life as well as financial benefits, it was easy to buy into the possibilities of moving. It took us two years to find the right place.” Relocating from New York to Kentucky also meant an easier commute for Murray, who works in North Carolina.

Pristine yet practical, the property is a former racehorse facility. It was purchased with fabulous fenced-in pastures, several barns, a beautiful main residence, a historic guest cabin and employee housing on the other side of the property.  The Kesslers painted, built on a large tack room, laid paver aisles, added a large arena with ESI footing and a derby field that emulates Spruce Meadows. The transformation turned it into an ideal spot for horses and riders to gear up as well as wind down.

“The horses feel like they are in their natural setting, you can see it in their expression.  They playfully gallop around – notice a pasture of foals across the road, stop and sigh.  They belong here, “ Teri says with a sense of satisfaction.

Steeped in history, the surrounding area is home to farms that have fathered famous racehorses such as Seattle Slew. Three farms down the road is Colombian show jumper Daniel Bluman’s place, and Spy Coast Farm’s primary breeding facility is less than a mile away.  Teri notes, “Lexington is full of promise for sport horses.  There’s a very sophisticated infrastructure built around the race horse industry, veterinary hospitals, therapeutic care, experienced farm developers and managers, feed suppliers – its all here. And the home to several special events in our niche– Pony Finals, NAJYRC, the National Horse Show, along with the USEF and USHJA.”

The family agreed that Lexington is ideal for horses, the city is horse-friendly and they love being close to the Kentucky Horse Park.  “We’ve already had friends stop by, stay as guests, share the facility with us.  It’s a nice benefit to have a peaceful place for people to enjoy,” Murray says.

Teri adds, “Yes it’s about the sport, about the horses.  But really it’s about the dream.  Both Reed and I are still just a couple horse-crazy girls.”

And what horse-crazy girl doesn’t dream about lush green pastures, beautiful barns, fabulous fields, jumps, a stable full of talented horses and the chance to ride all day long? 

More photos on page 55 of the Dec/Jan H&S!