BarnBiz n’ Bits

With great pride FCP would like to introduce our customer and friend Greg Boothe, Fire Captain for Orange County Fire Authority and member of the Clydesdale Breeders of the United States.

Captain Boothe had a dream and FCP was selected in making it a reality. “Looking at it in draft form is one thing, seeing it built is quite another,” said Greg about the beautiful twelve-stall raised center aisle barn which now stands where he once had only a vision.

Gavilan Springs, a small community nestled in the hills south of Lake Matthews is home to many an FCP barn. It was with neighbors recommendations Greg confidently based his decision to hire FCP for the job at hand. Likened to the teamwork required for leading a firefighting crew, Greg was impressed and praised the FCP team as “friendly, respectful, knowledgeable and professional.”

During the months between concept and completion, FCP team members had a unique opportunity to become friends with Greg. As he eagerly answered our incessant questions about the fire department he shared a few narratives of his own from a career now spanning thirty-one years in the public’s service.

From dog rescues to tales of cats in the tree tops, Greg’s love for animals was evident as he relayed the story of “Buckwheat” a poor horse who found herself down a steep embankment after rolling under a fence. While taking command of the scene Captain Boothe knew the struggling 21 year old mare needed more than the firefighters could provide. A newly commissioned helicopter waited on the tarmac while Captain Boothe moved heaven and earth for authorizations needed to air lift Buckwheat to safety. There was only one small problem… the helicopter was not intended for animal rescues and had no harness on board! Captain Boothe made provisions to cargo nets securing Buckwheat’s fate. On a wing and prayer she gently floated across the canyons of Santiago, landing in a nearby Tustin field. With the help of animal control officers and her veterinarian, Buckwheat was coaxed to stand. While Firefighters from Station 43 praised her heroism she gladly accepted their treats of carrots and apples!

In a most heartfelt letter Greg expressed, “The barn you built for me exceeded my expectations and came out better than I had imagined. I am quite proud of it and “thank you” for all your efforts.”

Captain Boothe, we at FCP extend our gratitude for the opportunity to have been your barn builder of choice. For not only are you considered a valued customer, you are a wonderful friend. Thank you for the hours of conversation and fire department education. And lastly, for the laughter shared in your incredible stories, for they will be remembered always.

“HAPPY TRAILS”

To You, Tuff and Sister Christian

Best Wishes
The FCP Team

Knights Tale Farm

Not far from the Pacific Ocean the picturesque community of DeLuz lies within the greater Fallbrook area. Gently rolling hills, lush groves, ancient oak trees and equestrian properties are a among this landscapes highlights.

It was here that Dottie & Werner Holzer relocated from Colorado to build their retirement ranch.

Their historic property was settled by the Stoner family in the 1870’s. The original dwelling was lost to fire in 1949. However, the rock fireplace remains as a reminder of the land they share today.

The barn and pastures are separated by a seasonal creek which lends to the ranch’s natural ambience. Satin the family donkey along with her 23 year old companion Cisco spend their leisure hours grazing along the waters edge.

It was Dottie’s love and concerns for her animals which brought them to FCP. With unique challenges in mind, the barns design was met with great enthusiasm. Custom “critter” pens were manufactured to keep her beloved goats and sheep safe from neighboring wildlife. From the wagging tails welcoming committee to the wide eyed and curious sheep named Rosie… the serenity Dottie & Werner have created for their animal family is evident.

We at FCP would like to thank you for this incredible opportunity to be a part of such wonderment. Our best wishes to you always!

Proudly Owned by Bill and Nan Bensyl

FCP congratulates Bill and Nan Bensyl on their new farm and custom FCP barn! Having just been completed, the barn is home to a full stable of Arabian mares and their foals.

Blue Star Farm is located on five acres in the beautiful equestrian community of La Cresta in Murrieta, California. Blue Star Farm is named to honor Bill’s dad and his five brothers, all of whom served in the military during World War II. During this time, his Grandmother had six blue stars in her living room window as recognition of her sacrifice as a mother and wife to the war effort. What is especially wonderful is the fact that all six went to war and all six returned safely home.

Having recently retired, Bill and Nan are fulfilling their dream of owning and riding the beautiful Arabians that grace their farm.

With a Tuscan influence, Blue Star Farm boasts a magnificent setting. The enchanting stable with custom tile roof and heavy wood beam arbors provides an inviting ambience to its old world charm. The European architecture continues inside with nine elegant stalls. A lavish tack room complete with laundry, bathroom, and office space is located between the foaling stalls with peek windows for watching the foals as they miraculously come into the world. Utility areas and an apartment compliment the myriad of details found in this spectacular barn.

Bill’s relationship with FCP is evident in his review: “FCP was very helpful on the design, and extremely effective in adjusting to changes as they came up. They maintained a high sense of quality from start to finish and remained true to the overall vision of our project. With the mares settled in their new home, we are delighted that everything works so well. The addition of three new foals confirmed our new barn’s potential.”

FCP is proud and honored to have been a partner in the development of Blue Star Farm. Our staff wishes Bill and Nan continued success and happiness with their Arabian horse farm!

To create the barn of your dreams, contact the professionals at FCP to design your facility, from concept to completion.

Nancy Chapman – Somis, California

Congratulations to Nancy Chapman on her new ranch and custom Metal Barn! Nancy’s facility went from concept to completion in just a few short months and as you can see from the photographs; “completion” passed all her expectations!

Sierra Vista Ranch is nestled on 22 acres surrounded by citrus trees and tall oaks in Somis, California. The ranch boasts a generous facility, consisting of large pastures, an L-shaped FCP barn with expansive size stalls, wide aisle ways, enormous tack room, hot walker, hay barn and deluxe wash and groom areas. Careful planning and creative design resulted in a cost effective solution to providing ample usable space for both horse and handler.

Shawn Hays is the resident trainer and he and Nancy’s mission is to provide top quality horse care, along with lesson and training programs that enable both horse and rider to reach their maximum potential. Competitive emphasis is placed by American Quarter Horse Association focusing on Trail, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Western Riding, Pleasure, and Hunt Seat Equitation.

Stuart Wilson, FCP Project Manager for Nancy’s project, states, “Nancy knew what she wanted and it was a lot of fun exchanging ideas back and forth. Because of Nancy and Shawn’s attention to detail, horses boarding at Sierra Vista Ranch receive the highest quality in attention”.

Nancy lives and breathes horses - her passion for horses began as a young girl on her grandparent’s farm in the south. Nancy dreamed about owning a ranch and building her own barn for as long as she can remember. She tells us that her FCP barn truly is a dream come true because it’s based on ideas that came to her during the last 45 years of “noodling”.

Nancy not only works full time and travels all over the world as a C.P.A. and Financial Adviser for the Entertainment Industry – but she is also extensively involved in showing quarter horses nationally. Her success at the shows has enabled her to qualify for and compete at the AQHA Bayer Select World Show Finals that are held each summer in Amarillo, TX. In recent years, she finished in the top ten in numerous events on her now retired favorite mare “Barpassing Thru” (aka Jetta) and on her up and coming young horse, “Zippos Kat Man Do” (aka Teddy).

Again, we salute Nancy Chapman and Sierra Vista Ranch as FCP’s Barn of the Month and we encourage you to contact her for a tour of her facility (she loves to show it off) and see what FCP can do for you.