Groveland Twp.- Beth Bakotic began riding horses at K Farms when she was about 10-years-old. Now, 17 years later, she owns it.
Bakotic and Brian Lynch bought the facility, which they have renamed Amber Way, on May 16.
‘It was a dream, but I never thought it would happen,? says Bakotic. ‘I never imagined in a million years we’d own this place.?
On a warm June morning, the new owners give a tour of the 56-acre horse facility at which boarding, training and hunter-jumper lessons are available.
Bakotic and Lynch have been busy working on improvements, such as repairing footings in the show rings, changing bedding in the stalls and cleaning up the grounds. They have also altered and improved day-to-day operations, including, they say, staff. Amber Way has six employees and retained two trainers? Donna Caston and Lauren Smillie.
Bakotic and Lynch live on the property, as does Mindy Ballinger, an employee with a degree in pre-veterinary animal science, and another full-time caretaker.
Lynch calls the on-site supervision a key element and a big change for the barn.
Another big change will be a summer camp offered this summer for children ages 8 and up. The camp, scheduled from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 7-11, will offer lessons in riding, general horsemanship, first-aid for horses, stall cleaning, and everything involved in caring for a horse. Bakotic and Lynch plan to show horse movies in the clubhouse and have swimming in the lake and pool as part of the camp, which will cost $275 for the week. Next year, they plan to have camps all summer long.
The swimming and clubhouse activities are part of a plan to make a family-friendly facility, Lynch notes.
‘We want to be a true hunt club,? he says. ‘We want families to come out and spend the whole day? hang out and have parties in our clubhouse.?
Future plans include adding amenities no other facility has, says Lynch, like a chipping and putting green and light food service.
‘Everything about it is exciting,? says Bakotic, who was a member of the equestrian team at Purdue University. ‘We have a lot of plans.?
Amber Way will host a Michigan Hunter Jumper Association show July 21-23. The show is free and open to the public.