PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — An equestrian center in Pinellas Park will have to close its doors, after the owner of the land it sits on decided to put the property up for sale.
What You Need To Know
- Saddle Up Riding Club & Equine Therapy Program closing after 18 years
- Landowner put property up for sale forcing Saddle Up out
- Sippos family founded program to assist special needs people
"Everyone's got a ministry on this Earth," said Saddle Up Riding Club founder Kellie Sippos.
For 18 years, she and her family have made the equestrian center their life's mission. Saddle Up Riding Club assisted people with special needs through its equine therapy program.
"Penny loves to go fast," said Zach Vanderbeck of Clearwater, who won a gold medal at the Special Olympics with his horse Penny.
#NEW After 18 years the Saddle Up Riding Club and its Equine Therapy Program will be closing Tuesday. The Property owner has put the land up for sale. Saturday, trainers, clients and riders will have the chance to say farewell. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/PA9bVfphKA
— Fadia Mayté Patterson M.S. (@FadiaTVNews) August 26, 2021
Christina King is another client of the Equine Therapy Program.
She can usually be found grooming and bonding with her pet horse, Ginger, that her father purchased for her just before they learned of the closing.
"People have come to look at the property, questioning what is going on," Sippos said. "Regardless, we shut down August 31."
Sippos says she couldn't afford to the buy the $1.7 million property, so she was forced to let the center go.
God has the final say so on this one," she said, still hoping for a miracle.
"It was fantastic to see the response from everybody in the community," said Mollie Sippos. "It really warms my heart. We have made such a difference. It's kind of hard to see when you're here. But to see and hear from so money people about how fantastic it was for them, their children, grandchildren, it's just incredible."
Saturday, the horse farm will also be open to allow the community to say farewell.