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QuentinRidingClub
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QuentinRidingClub
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A LITTLE HISTORY
Nestled in the lush Pennsylvania "Dutch" farmlands
are the estates of families whose forbearers owned the mines, ore pits and furnaces that produced artillery, shot and stoves for Washington's army. In 1972, storm waters of Hurricane Agnes flooded the mines, which were closed after two centuries of productivity. Some of the mansions of the founders' families are gone or were converted to other uses, and piece by piece, their orchards, pastures and croplands have yielded to suburban sprawl. But one parcel has become a unique recreation center, Quentin Riding Club.
To this farm the Coleman's imported America's first Hackney
horses, the fine carriage animals that moved England's aristocracy in the
mid-nineteenth century. The farm included stables with box stall doors made
from 3-inch oak. Hinges were made from wrought iron and latches were formed
from recessed brass. Mountain spring water was piped to each stall and to
hand-hewn stone watering troughs. There were blacksmith shops, carriage
sheds, isolation barns for mares in foal, tack rooms, grooms' offices and small
animal shelters, all surrounding an 18-room home occupied by the manager and
including a detached office building for the business staff of the Estates.
Local businessmen purchased the facility for their prize steeds in 1934 and
later enrolled social members to help defray the operating costs.
Today, approximately 400 social members, eight major horse
shows, and many special catered groups enjoy fine dining in the Clubhouse and
share the unique atmosphere afforded by the show grounds and horse facilities.
Quentin Riding Club's clubhouse and grounds are ideally
suited for special events, wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners,
anniversary celebrations, birthday celebrations, office parties and more.
Clubhouse catering facilities can accommodate 125 persons
for inside private parties, with additional space for 30 to 40 persons in the
rustic Bit & Spur Room and room for 70 on our beautiful seasonal outdoor
deck. The Club grounds are also available for dog shows, craft shows, antique
shows, auctions, and many more activities.
Call (717) 273-1151 for information about our facilities
and menus, or come visit us at the corner of Routes 72 and 419, four miles
south of Lebanon, in Quentin, Pennsylvania.
Services of prominent horsemen are available year-'round,
but Clubhouse membership is required for boarding, schooling, or instruction.
Although the Clubhouse is a private facility, visitors are welcome to inspect
the grounds. At a modest cost, temporary or emergency stabling is available
to non-members and transients, except during large shows when space may not
be available.
If you are interested in joining Quentin Riding Club, "the
showplace grounds of the east coast," with its beautiful tree-shaded
lawns, please contact the club office at the number and address at the top of
the page, or ask one of the proud members, who would be more than happy to
help you. Our menus, horse show
schedule and list of club activities are available upon request.
