By Judi Kent Pyrah

Photo By Sweet

In 1988 we bought this run-down Farmhouse with a few stables and outbuildings with about 3 acres of gardens and paddock, sitting 900 ft up on the Hambleton Hills between Thirsk to the west and Helmsley to the east , a gloriously beautiful National Park Area in North Yorkshire. Only 20 mins from the A1 and 20 mins to York by train, 30mins from Tees Side Airport, 1hr Leeds/Bradford and easy access to any major motorway to anywhere. Our only problem ? A 1in 4 Sutton Bank with a hair-pin bend half-way up! Travelling from or getting home to our private little haven from many locations around the world, was only a problem if it was snowing and we get it all, or a traffic problem on the bank! (Av. 4 per wk.).But its much improved now and we`re quite blase in the horsebox!

After various building and refurbishment projects and the aquisition of more land over the years, we were finally in a position to start the" Stud" in 1999; adding more stables as we grew to accommodate our 22 horses. There are 7 post and railed paddocks, enclosed` weather proof` stable areas , shower room, outdoor menage , grooms` cottage and mobile home , lab/workshop, feed /tack /rug rooms and of course studios, one each! 2005 should see our indoor school eventually rise and prove invaluable, for not only winter training/excercise and conditioning, but to assist with our increasing workload - backing and riding our own home bred youngsters - at last!

We have both worked in varied situations ,experiencing many different aspects of life for many years away from out home county N. Yorkshire. We are both professional Artists. Alan, who specialises in Wildlife art has been painting for over 40 years and has travelled the World studying and painting; leading specialised bird /safaris/ teaching trips as well as exhibiting and touring and always promoting & working for conservation and highlighting the endangered species through his art. ( Read about Alan & Judi in the articles section click here )

My career started painting portraits and pets and horses until all I really wanted to paint were my beloved horses.

Many supporting jobs and 10 years as a restauranter/hotelier with my ex husband and then productive publishing contracts in Canada and America, exhibitions etc and now, still painting, but now mostly my all time dream horse, the Arabian, possibly the most beautiful creature on the planet . My painting career has opened many doors allowing me to see so many beautiful and special horses of many different breeds and disciplines around the world.

I have been passionate about horses all my life and even as a child used every opportunity to be with them. I didn`t own my own `til I was 33 but had worked as a groom in hunting, polo, dressage and private yards, while fearlessly excercising other peoples horses and ponies whenever possible. Years later when the opportunity came to really get to grips with my then favourite Thoroughbreds while living here in the glorious hills of Yorkshire again, my ambition was still to one day event. I had some good horses but never finding one in my price range good enough at all three disciplines. The only one that did hated my horsesbox and being on her own.!!??

However, after having my 3rd (and last) child at 40 and my painting career thriving, Alan thought I`d better face up to my responsibilities and give up risking life and limb over cross country fences.To be honest my nerve was definitely wobbly.