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The horse arena just south of Madrid is currently for sale.

Horse arena full of history and potential

The 25-acre equestrian property, located at 504 S. Ames Ave., just outside the village limits south of Madrid, boasts a rich history. 

Built in 1979 by Vernon and Sharon Parker, the acreage has had four owners in its four decades, and is eagerly anticipating a new owner. 

“I think a sale to get the arena back to doing some good for the community with public events would be a positive thing for the town.

“When we had our ropings, it affected the restaurants, bars and gas station,” said former owner Steve Hanson of Elsie. 

Current owners Al and Bobbi Proctor converted the offices in the arena to custom-built living quarters. The property is currently listed with Fuller Realty of Ogallala.

A Wyoming couple recently decided to purchase the property to pursue a learning/practice center and a place for equine events, agriculture and community betterment projects. 

To expand their business they were also purchasing the adjoining property, 501 S Ford Ave., which is in the village limits of Madrid. A Madrid ordinance prevents livestock within the village limits, and livestock would not be allowed on the Ford Avenue property without first seeking an exemption from the village board. 

The Proctor’s arena property, is not in the village limits and horses have always been allowed there. 

The Wyoming couple canceled their purchase contracts on both the Ames Avenue and Ford Avenue properties due to financing complications.  

History

Sharon Parker of Grant and her late husband Vernon raised American Paint Horses on the property in the late 20th century. Before building the indoor arena, their children showed horses for 4-H. 

Their daughter, Sandy, got an American Paint Horse, “and that’s what started us in the Paint business,” said Sharon.

After building the arena in 1979, they opened it up for 4-H practices and their children practiced there. Their family traveled the country showing horses. Sandy’s horse was named National Champion Trail Horse in Oklahoma City in 1981. 

One of the Parkers’ horses, My Painted Robin, was inducted into the American Paint Horse Association’s Hall of Fame in March 2015. 

Hanson purchased the property in 1995, adding a roping chute and return alley to the arena. He held public ropings and friends used the arena to hone their team roping skills.

In October 1995, Wheatland High School’s Student Council hosted 39 students from Omaha North’s Student Council to experience life in western Nebraska. 

Hanson, Ken Potts, Greg Pelster, Lynn Flaming and Gene Holm contributed 11 horses and each of the 39 city slickers took the opportunity to ride a horse at the arena. 

Diane Rogers and her daughter Dani Ghrist opened the Southwest Nebraska Equine Center in August 2000. The following February, they hosted a National Barrel Horse Association competition. From Hayes Center to Hershey, cowgirls from 8-years-old to 70 competed.

The Proctors purchased the property in 2005, using it primarily to house their own three draft horses. They moved to the property after building living quarters in 2015. 

Now looking toward retirement in Kansas, the Proctors are anxious to pass on the legacy of Madrid’s horse arena. 

“It’s been a delightful place to live. We’ve made many good friends in the community. We hope the next owners will enjoy it as much as we have,” said the Proctors.

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

308-352-4311 (Phone)

PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140