Residents urge county to restore Bradford County Riding Club after fairgrounds dispute

Multiple residents at the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners meeting urged the board to help restore the Bradford County Riding Club, asking that donated county land be made available so the club can re-establish an arena and youth programming.

Speakers during the public-comment period described the club as a multigenerational, family-oriented organization and said the loss of the riding site forced local riders to travel to other counties. Residents asked for county assistance to secure land, apply for grants, and rebuild an arena for rodeos, youth riding lessons and livestock exhibitions.

“My name is Bayanda Strong…Tonight, I see that you have a letter of support for Roberts Center…to me, it seems like it's a backdoor effort to circumvent a zoning issue,” said Bayanda Strong, who also voiced concern about tax implications in a separate part of her remarks. Strong and others emphasized they wanted a local, safe place where children could ride.

Other speakers included Nikki Carlton, who said her children have ridden since infancy and described the club as “family oriented and safe,” and Louette Smith, who said the club has introduced many children to horses. Kimberly Reinhart noted the club previously generated events that brought visitors to Bradford County and contributed revenue to local charities. Barto Lee, Candy Wall and others also spoke in favor of restoring the club.

County Manager Kornegay responded to several requests, saying he would “get with Mr. Kornegay, our county manager, and talk about it and see what we can what we can find out for you,” and later confirmed he would follow up. No formal action or vote occurred during the meeting; commissioners said staff would review potential uses of the donated land and report back.

Separately during public comment, Paul Steele urged the commission to reconsider a previously authorized design and higher-cost work for the Cypress Run boat ramp on Lake Sampson and recommended using vessel-fund money to clear vegetation and restore the existing channel instead of pursuing a design that might require dredging and difficult permitting.

The public-comment speakers identified themselves and their addresses on comment cards; the board acknowledged their concerns and directed staff to investigate possibilities and report back at a future meeting.