Wednesday, October 19, 2005

HorsesDaily.com Expands Operations Purchasing Property in Kentucky

Phelps/Hathaway Enterprises Inc. owners of the popular websites established in 1997, HorsesDaily.com, DressageDaily.com and PhelpsPhotos.com, is pleased to announce the purchase of Kentucky property, expanding our locations into "The Horse Capitol of the United States." In addition to our home office in Florida, we recently purchased 127 acres of farm property in south central Kentucky, and will be using the location as our base of operations for our “On the Scene” coverage of summer/fall events. Based in Deleon Springs, Florida, the HorsesDaily.com team covers over 20 equestrian events a year, providing “On the Scene” reporting, photos, marketing services. With the Kentucky Horse Park, USEF, and the new USDF building coming along, we are less than a 2 hour drive from their office locations in Lexington.

We are thrilled to have found this beautiful property, in such a perfect location for our travels, shows, and our families. The property is centrally located and equidistant by 2 hours to Lexington, Louisville, Knoxville and Nashville. East of Bowling Green about 90 miles. The development of the highways in the next 2 years will provide easy access to several airports, as well as driving routes. It is close to the Cumberland Parkway, which is in the process of becoming Interstate Route 66. When completed, Interstate Route 66 will run from Washington DC, cross the United States to Los Angeles. Map linked here.

The property has 50 acres of open fields, divided by woods with trails connecting to each section of the property. The woods lead to Rock Lick Creek, a spring fed creek which runs through the property. The 30x50 building, with 16’ doors, is set up for RV storage, with electricity, water, phones lines and satellite. The property was used for hunting by the previous owner who has an RV storage company. We have everything we need to hook up our “home”, a 33’ Carriage 5th wheel camper. There is virtually no maintenance other than clearing trails for the JJ.’s 4-Wheeler. When we leave for a show, we just unhook, lock up the building, and go.

The region has become a high tech corridor, with new fiber optic technology accessible on back country roads. We have high speed DSL in our building here deep in the country and I still can’t get it for our Florida office 20 miles from Daytona Beach. Here, Duo-County Telephone has DSL Light for $29.95 a month and it is 3 times faster than my costly satellite in our Florida office. With Instant Messenger, I am in touch with our office in Florida as if I were physically there. The peacefulness and solitude of this location balances our busy lives on the road, and allows me to focus on the work at hand.

There are currently no plans to build or develop the property. We have everything we need for the time being to run our lives and our company efficiently. We are still exploring the property and region, and we find something new every day. The falling leaves create a clearly defined road map of the multiple deer trails through the woods connecting 5 separate meadows. The only sounds are the falling leaves and the birds.

I do have a vision: To generate a horse community in this area with farms, events, camps, and breeding operations. This entire region is like the undiscovered pot of gold at the end of the real estate rainbow for people who raise and train and compete horses. There is beautiful affordable property all around us.

This area could be a great option for those being crowded out by high taxes and development. The soil is rich and fertile, and the entire area is breathtaking and beautiful. We have been discovering other properties in the area for the growing list of interested friends and clients.

We are headed back to Florida as soon as we find out what Hurricane Wilma decides to do, to prepare for the 2006 winter season of Dressage in Florida. But for now, we will watch the leaves turn daily, as I take “computer breaks” from my new Kentucky office.

Mary Phelps/Hathaway