Looking for a new home
:
“Who will save my riding school?”
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Photo: Müller
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Krefeld / District of Viersen Three years ago a riding school from Krefeld had to move to Gefrather Land. Now she is fighting for survival again.
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“I am a fighter by nature,” Carolin Hell defies the avalanche of misfortune that is rolling towards her, “I am not willing to give up my existence. Also for the sake of my students. ”
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Thus, “Caro”, as all young people and children are allowed to call the riding instructor, looks full of determination, but also a little wistfully over her idyllic riding stable in the middle of the field between Kempen and Grefrath.
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Only three years ago, the economist with 20 ponies and horses and all her riding students in tow, moved here from a farm in Krefeld. Renovated, expanded and gained more students; there are now around 100. “And now we have to leave again,” complains Caro desperately, “and we don’t know where to go.”
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The owner of the farm has announced his own needs. Finding a new home for the students and horses is extremely difficult.
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The boss has already looked at a number of possible properties in the area around Krefeld and the district of Viersen. And the banks have certified that they have a good and successful concept for their riding school, as well as a financial cushion. She also always paid her rent on time.
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“But we still haven’t found a new home,” she says sullenly. Sometimes she is outraged by the reasons for this: “One owner did not want children on his farm, others indicated that they did not trust a woman to run a riding school of this size.” Carolin Hell is also disappointed with the banks. “Because of the Corona crisis, in which private loans faltered, they asked me to have 50 percent equity”. Some attractive offers were simply too expensive.
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After half a year of unsuccessful efforts, Carolin Hell bursts out: “Somebody has to be found to save this school here.” Be it the owner of a homestead or an investor. Be it that she can lease or buy a farm.
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“We have such a warm solidarity here,” she fears for the future of the community that has emerged from adults, young people and children, some of whom come from far away. “Even three to five year olds learn how to lovingly handle ponies with us”. They are not allowed to ride themselves because their spine is still too soft. At the age of six they take long lessons, always one-to-one, so that “Caro” can take care of every child. For the same reason, she limits the older groups to four riders. That is their concept.
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At the moment, however, the lessons are idle. Because of the corona shutdown. “But that is the least of our worries now,” says Caro gloomily into the future. “When my students start teaching again, I don’t want to have to tell them that we have to close in the new year.” Because the riding school has become a part of the family, especially for the children. And for Caro it’s something more.
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www.reitschule-team-caro.de
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