A new equestrian center has opened in Bucksport, with room for boarding, training, arena rental and private lessons along with future plans to rehome former thoroughbred racehorses.
Quarry Ridge LLC is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for owner Lana Hoertz, and a revival of an equestrian property that she’s seen unrealized potential in for years. It also brings new resources for horse owners, enthusiasts and potential riders in the area.
“I have a vision, and we’re going to make it happen,” Hoertz said.
She boarded one of her own horses years ago at the 471 Millvale Road property, which has since changed hands several times, and always saw opportunity there that past owners weren’t able to invest in. When the 42-acre site went up for sale in September, Hoertz was ready to acquire the property and bring it to life.
The work was cut out for her. It was last occupied by Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary, where the state seized more than two dozen neglected dogs and reported six had died in 2024. Then-owner Ellisha Krutuleski was charged with several counts of animal cruelty, which were dropped when she died in September.
Since the fall, Hoertz, her significant other and other helpers have been busy starting over at the property by clearing overgrowth, mowing, cleaning, renovating buildings and fixing up the onsite space where the couple now live.
While it’s been an adjustment building up Quarry Ridge around her full time job as a physician assistant at Waldo County General Hospital, she said, it’s worth it.
The property features a sizable indoor arena, an eight-stall barn and another small barn. The indoor arena has been tilled up with new footings and sand, new lights have been installed, stalls redone and ground broken for a new outdoor arena.
In the spring, fencing will be redone, additional riding trails cut and jumps added outside.
This week, Hoertz is also meeting with instructors who could offer private riding lessons there.
She expects to be able to board at least 15 horses in addition to her own seven former thoroughbred racehorses that she has helped adjust to life off the track.
In the future, Hoertz hopes to bring more of these horses to the Bucksport barn from other states with thoroughbred racing, like Kentucky and Florida, and to work with them so they can be rehomed for second careers as family horses or in dressage riding. The state currently has a limited number of venues where horses are sold, according to Hoertz.
Thoroughbred horses leave the racing life rideable, but it takes time and work with a trainer to help them adjust from what Hoertz described as a very regimented life of an extreme athlete to simply being a horse.
“They’re really special,” she said. “Being able to provide them with a second life, so to speak … I find it rewarding.”
Being around the animals is deeply therapeutic to Hoertz, a lifelong horse lover and longtime backyard rider. Forming a relationship with them is a unique partnership compared to other animals, she said, and spending time together takes her worries away.
“I can’t imagine life without them,” she said.