Fresh start for Quail Haven Farm in Bonsall

The old and weathered barn was surrounded by 50 years of accumulated trash when the Waldmans purchased the 4.6-acre place last June. Today, after 16 dumpsters of rubbish have been removed and the barn remodeled, Quail Haven’s facility renovation is nearly complete.

A lifetime dream has come about through the work of James and Lindy, who together jumped headlong into this pride-of-ownership project. Gone are all the weeds and clutter, and the big red barn and newly constructed riding arenas are teeming with activity.

James Waldman’s horsemanship reaches all the way back to his youth, where he played Steeplechase and was involved with horseracing. More recently, he worked as assistant trainer at San Louis Rey Downs. At present, Lindy works for a veterinarian as a daytime job and handles Quail Haven’s bookwork evenings and weekends.

Susan Conrad was brought in as riding school director, and she works with a wide variety of enthusiasts who seek hunter/jumper training. Since the facility opened officially in January, the number of horses and clients served has tripled. One obvious appeal of the facility is its location along Little Gopher Canyon and Quail Haven’s clean, white-fenced environment.

An added barn is planned for the future, along with a second riding arena. With the horse savvy and enthusiasm apparent here, chances are very good that it won’t be long until this place will be jumping even more, including the horses. “Then,” James asserts, “we’ll get started on remodeling the house!”