Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CLARENDON May 12, 2018
A popular riding stable has found a new home in the Pontiac, with the owner returning to a location that has a lot of history for her own career.
The GELAM Riding Stable has re-opened at a new location, and owner Ginger Finan celebrated the occasion with an open house on Saturday.
“This was the location my horse was at when I was in high school,” said Finan. “It’s been about 10 years without horses on the property but having them back has revitalized the business. I think the previous owner would be happy.”
Finan explained that Cathy Lapointe, the previous owner, had passed away in a car crash in 2006.
While looking to expand her business, and attract a new customer base, the opportunity to move from Hwy. 148 to C950 Route 303 North arose. Having all the space she was looking for, plus the option to house horses indoors and much more, it was too good to pass up.
Finan explained that the new location has many improvements from the previous, with two rings on the property, as well as stalls for indoor boarding. With more indoor space available, the tacking process can be done inside and there will be a chance for kids at her summer camps to escape the heat during lunch and some activities.
“It’s going to save us energy, and the horse’s energy, too,” said Finan.
Plus, being closer to Otter Lake, she’s hoping to offer her riding services to a new crowd, like the cottagers in the area.
“I really feel like this is good for my business,” continued Finan.
With her upcoming summer camps, she was proud to say that there were only a few spots left in the three weeks that the camps are offered. She believes and was backed up by some of her students at the open house, that her style of teaching is what makes the difference and keeps her customers attached to her stable.
“We have a laid-back style of teaching, that takes the pressure off of the kids,” said Finan. “I’m proud of the way we teach. We’re about a lot of fun and support.”
It’s a style that she looks to teach to her own competition team, who she says she builds off both their skill and attitude towards teammates and competitors.
She was also excited to share that with the new property, she hopes to start hosting her own competitions.
“For the first time ever, my booth has electricity for announcing,” she added
With the two rings, she can have one designated for practicing and the other for competing, smoothing out the whole process.
GELAM saw many guests during the open house, which ran in the afternoon on Saturday, including a combination of her previous students and some of Lapointe’s, too.
The stable specializes in English and Western saddles and teaches in both French and English.
