Deborah Renfroe Craig was born and raised in Atlanta,
Georgia. Upon graduating from high school, Debbie attended
Meredith Manor
School of Horsemanship in West Virginia. Originally entering school as a
western major, it was the experience of Meredith Manor that opened up the
world of dressage for Debbie. Before settling on a career in dressage,
Debbie gained experience showing and training horses in western riding and
reining, hunter-jumper, and low levels of eventing.
The driving force in Debbie's equestrian career
has always been to be an excellent instructor and a sympathetic and
knowledgeable trainer. Meredith Manor gave her a good foundation in stable
management, teaching and training. The last thirty years have been totally
dedicated to continuing her education in order to fulfill that goal.
From 1985 to 1991, Debbie and her husband,
Walter, operated Equestrian Hills, a large training facility in Indiana. It
grew from an eighteen-stall barn to a one hundred and fifty-stall facility.
They provided instruction and training for dressage, jumping and eventing
riders in the Indianapolis area.
In 1995, Debbie and her husband opened Lantern
Lane Farm so that riders could enjoy a training center that would perpetuate
the growth of classical riding and give riders a fun place to learn and
vacation. Revamping an 1840's colonial house, creating gardens and a
friendly place for horses to live, the Craigs have created an environment
where equestrians are comfortable to immerse themselves in riding, rest and
relaxation.
In the spring of 2005, Lantern Lane Farm experienced a new metamorphosis. The charming 1840's house and 15 acres was sold to the James and Karen Klooster family. Debbie and Walter retained 10 acres and built a new plantation style bed and breakfast designed to take care of modern requests from guest and a new eight stall barn. The Klooster family will assist in accommodating and caring for guest horses and horses in training, making their paddock and fields available for turnout.
Debbie currently conducts riding clinics at
the farm, administers and teaches the riding vacation program, supervises
and teaches the local lesson program, and conducts dressage clinics.
