Couple launches equestrian business

When the equine partner in your life requires a safe home, Mitch and Karen Elliott's Cross Creek Stables near downtown Sisters offers clean, affordable indoor stalls, spacious paddocks and outdoor boarding.

The Elliotts recently leased the home and facility from longtime horse trainer and three-day eventer Karen O'Neal, who relocated her farm and horse operations to Spokane, Washington. Cross Creek's 10-acre setup includes a 10-stall barn, 14 outdoor turnouts, 200-by-80-foot indoor riding arena, hot walker and two indoor grooming areas with hot and cold water.

"We took over the equestrian business back in March," said Mitch. "They wanted to be closer to family and she's in a nice new facility there. We wish her great success in the future. Where the O'Neals basically ran this as an English jumper barn, we hope to continue with the English riding crowd but also integrate a Western trail and pleasure horse business inclusive of all."

Mitch, a police office at Black Butte Ranch, has been in Sisters for 37 years.

"I grew up about 500 yards from this very house," he said. "I had many years of horse experience as a kid and sort of stepped away from it for a while. When Karen and I got married eight years ago I got back into it. She's really the main horse person at the farm, I'm just the maintenance man who drives the big green tractor."

His wife, Karen, was raised down in the Willamette Valley surrounded by horses, and arrived in Sisters 12 years ago.

"I've been riding and teaching all my life, I didn't do much showing but prefer a horse lifestyle and all the rewards it brings," she said.

"This is the reason we took on this business and project. It's not about the money but more about the quality of life," said Mitch. "To have fun and give people an option to board and train horses locally. We love the horse community and want this to become a relaxing hub for equestrians of all disciplines. We saw a need to have this facility stay open and are looking forward to a great successful summer."

The barn is available for individuals who want to come in and tune their horses up, or people looking for some quick trail riding, training and lessons.

"We have an eventing jump course set up out back and we'll be keeping that," Karen explained. "And we'll have a fun Western obstacle course combined with all the English jumps. There's a creek and a water hazard and trees to go in and out of, and that will be expanded through the summer to include almost anything you can run across on the trail."

Group and private lessons will be offered on request for any style or level.

"As trainers go, right now we have Aubyn Geser from here in Sisters, who trained under Karen O'Neal for nine years," said Karen. "She has done training level eventers, advanced dressage, equitation and some Western. Aubyn and I will be hosting the Summer Kid's Camp here for the Sisters Park & Rec starting the end of June. We also have Erica Spencer, an English instructor who does a little jumping and dressage. Erica focuses on equitation and dressage, works with sensitive horses and is very responsive to their comfort."

The Elliotts are planning an open house for their new stables some time this summer.

Cross Creek Stables is located at 16075 Perit Huntington Rd. in Sisters. For questions on rates or a tour of the facilities call 541-549-6003 or 541-948-7790.