Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Augusta County's "Star B Stables" owner dies

I met Mr. Ellis Dale Bartley about five years ago when I visited Star B Stables in Fishersville. As president of the local home school group, SWAC Husband and I were checking out Star B to line up some horseback riding/hay wagon rides for our organization so we spent the morning with Mr. Bartley.

He was a gentleman in his 70s ... in excellent health ... and he toured us around the farm in his pickup truck. Horses were grazing in the meadows ... trails could be seen in the fields, disappearing into the woods, along the creek ... it was a gorgeous farm and he was proud to share it. His herd of Tennessee Walkers were used for horseback rides, wagon rides ... he even had a sleigh for winter. He drove Santa into town in his horse-and-buggy for the Christmas parade ... he supplied horses for bird dog field trials along the East Coast for 20 years ... provided horseback riding at Shenandoah Acres when it was in business ... and, of course, his home, the Star B Stables, where folks could ride anytime they chose.

He also worked with the SPCA in the rescue and care of area horses.

I saw his obituary in today's Waynesboro News Virginian announcing he had passed away at the age of 81 after being in declining health due to a horse-related accident two years ago. A photo accompanied the obituary of him on a horse ... not your usual obituary photo. And it was striking that this United States Marine Corps veteran passed away on Tuesday ... Veterans Day ... after entering the world on Valentine's Day in 1927.

A memorial service is planned for Friday. Something tells me a horse may be involved somewhere along the way....

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