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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Science of Wine fundraiser planned Highland Games return to Wimer May 2 Klamath Tribes hope to gain USFS lands Since You Asked: New turf is in the budget Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Central Point garage fire believed caused by electrical issues Medford mushroom grow suspect facing federal child porn charges Serial killer's squalor Man arrested for stealing keys, truck, fuel from Lithia car lot Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Needs improvement SWAT students track progress of stream restoration efforts Students participate in fuel reduction effort at Ruch School New funding formula awards universities for graduating more students Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Environment Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" State News US Rep. Newhouse proposes ending protection for wolves Judge proposes Oregon bakery pay $135,000 to lesbian couple Oregon House committee OKs more background checks on firearm sales Search for missing plane, pilot in Oregon enters third day Cheetah, dog are fast friends Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Maurice "Zeke" Ziegler Phillip Stevens Larry E. Dameron Marie Melvina Besette-Hull James Emmett Boozer Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Cavemen dominate at Newland Classic South Medford's Moore pitches two no-hitters MLS plans to expand beyond 24 teams Oregon wins distance medley relay at Penn Relays Harden, Howard power Houston past Dallas Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon wins distance medley relay at Penn Relays SOU's Neal fifth, Reitman seventh in CC multis Aspiring Duck quarterback bucks the odds Marshall stays with Ducks to get better Eckert, Beavers take series from Arizona Pro Sports MLS plans to expand beyond 24 teams Harden, Howard power Houston past Dallas Swafford, Weekley lead weather-struck Zurich Timbers, Sounders to resume fiery 40-year rivalry Lillard looks for turnaround at home Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Travel boosting Oregon economy more than ever Blog: Weekend Impossible Business briefs Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan Frontier Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Real Estate News New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, April 25 Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Matthew T. Mangino: Faulty hair analysis has far-reaching implications Granlund cartoon: Paging Dr. Oz Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Editorials Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Our View: Public's right to film police should be protected Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 25 Letters to the Editor, April 24 Letters to the Editor, April 23 Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Columns Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Dana Milbank: The right's new claim: same-sex marriage is deadly Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Anniversary: Bobbie and Don Mills celebrate 60 years together Anniversary: Wayne and Shirley Tinnin celebrate 50 years together Community blog: Jackson County Votes to Pay Wildlife Services: the War on Wildlife continues ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Food Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Community blog: Oregon Breweries to grow or seriously to grow? The joy of true wasabi Season Stepp: Veggie treat hidden deep inside artichokes Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Home and Garden Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Health Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Moment in Time presents 'Viejo con Nuevo' Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Reader Review: 'Birdman' for the birds Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Movie review: ‘Age of Adaline’ is sweet but a little sloppy Dining Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Klamath Tribes hope to gain USFS lands ... Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation ... Medford mushroom grow suspect facing federal child porn charges ... Klamath Tribes hope to gain USFS lands ... Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation ... Medford mushroom grow suspect facing federal child porn charges ... Dollars & Horse Sense Open-air arena adds new dimension to Central Point equine ranch Kim Samitore dreamed big when she envisioned building an indoor arena on her family's Central Point horse ranch off Old Stage Road. Comment By GREG STILES MailTribune.com By GREG STILES Posted Mar. 1, 2009 at 12:01 AM By GREG STILES Posted Mar. 1, 2009 at 12:01 AM More information --> River Valley Ranch is at 1657 Old Stage Road between Central Point and Jacksonville. It provides horse-boarding, lessons, training, clinics, weekly rides, equine massage and more. For informatio... » Read more X More information River Valley Ranch is at 1657 Old Stage Road between Central Point and Jacksonville. It provides horse-boarding, lessons, training, clinics, weekly rides, equine massage and more. For information, go to www.rvrequine.com or www.conscioushorsemanship.com or call 541-951-9026. » Social News Kim Samitore dreamed big when she envisioned building an indoor arena on her family's Central Point horse ranch off Old Stage Road. Five years, two births and a lot of persistence later, Samitore and her husband, Matt, have seen the project come to fruition on the 55-acre River Valley Ranch they share with her parents, Jim and Carol DeKorte. "Five years ago when our family bought the property, I said I'll have an indoor arena," Samitore said Saturday, while showing off the newest element of the horse-boarding, instruction and training facility. "It was an expensive project and came in over budget." Still, she's not complaining about the end result, a 72-by-122-foot indoor arena that gives her year-round training capability. "I used to have to shut down around Thanksgiving and then wait to open until late February or March," Samitore said. Now, she has the quintessential all-year training ground. That was evidenced Friday when a group of 14 4-H riders came calling after they were turned away from their usual workout grounds at the Jackson County Expo. "She said you can ride here as long as you clean up afterwards," said Stacia Neilson, a Scenic Middle School eighth-grader. River Valley Ranch is almost a home away from home for Neilson and Cayla Stone, both 4-H riders, who care for and clean up after the horses boarding in the neighboring red barn. "This is where the horses live and where they are every day, so they're more relaxed," Stone said. "At the Expo, the horses get a little excited. A bush over there might be a mountain lion to them, or a garbage can might scare them because they're not used to it." Working with the horses, Neilson and Stone have learned equine quirks and personalities. "They know if we know if they're on their best behavior or not when other people are around," Neilson said. Whether it's because the price of horses has fallen in recent months or girls will simply find a way to ride a horse, the 4-H club has grown. Stone's pasture pet, Coco, acquired for $1,000 a couple of years ago, should now fetch more on the open market because of its training. Horse economic dynamics vary from locale to locale. In this area, the demand has dwindled. "Even though the price is low, people still aren't buying," Samitore said. "There are a lot of horses that are really, really cheap. Then they jump to about $6,500 and there's not much in between." Horses that have typically ranged between $2,500 and $5,000 aren't available. "What people ideally want is an 8-year-old gelding, 15 hands tall and bomb proof — nothing bothers them and they're not spooked," Samitore said. "They want to pay $1,500 for them. I could sell a horse like that all the time, but they're hard to come by." The sales price, however, is just the down payment when it comes to horses. "It costs $100 to $200 every month just to keep one at your own house," said Samitore, who charges $265 monthly for horse boarding and maintenance, excluding vet and trimming care. "You certainly can't maintain a horse monthly for what you spend on a car." Nonetheless, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Jackson County has the second-highest horse population in the state behind Clackamas County, with nearly 5,200 head as of 2007. That number, however, may decline in the near future. "This is the time of year when sales pick up," said Carol Dombrowsky, a lifetime member of the Jackson County Horseman's Association. "But a lot of breeders have not bred their mares this year, because there is no market." While youngsters rode and older folks admired the new arena, she wondered whether equine owners will continue showing their horses because of the associated costs. "I was concerned we wouldn't have entries last year at a show we put on at the Expo, but we got 85," Dombrowsky said. Samitore plans to put on a show at the Estramado Arena on Galls Creek outside Gold Hill later this year. "The cost of getting to shows is a little cheaper because of gas," Dombrowsky said. "But so many things can happen." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [email protected]. By GREG STILES MailTribune.com By GREG STILES Posted Mar. 1, 2009 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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