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RAINBOW SADDLE CLUB HISTORY 

In 1948 several horse enthusiasts and fanciers gathered together at the Northfield High School and from this first meeting, the beginnings of what is now Rainbow Saddle Club began.  Back then, not only Northfield area people were included and involved, but also families from the Faribault area.  From this time on, monthly meetings were held, and the Rainbow Saddle Club has been alive and thriving to this day.  In 1975 the club’s membership totaled 75 families.  Today the roster totals approximately 60 family and individual memberships from this area and from such communities as Faribault, Owatonna, Prior Lake, Shakopee and Hampton.

From the very start of this club, the Rainbow Saddle Club has been very family oriented.  It was organized back in 1948 for the purpose of promoting fun and sociability for people interested in horses.  Examples of social activities in the past were potluck suppers which were held at members’ homes or at the Northfield Community Center in the winter.  Whenever special programs were held, neighboring clubs were always invited ¾ thus continually establishing ties with horse people of surrounding areas.  In the earlier days of the saddle club, the Jesse James bank raid reenactments was cast by Rainbow Saddle Club riders.

In 1960, under the leadership of then president Don Kimber, the possibility of acquiring land was discussed and investigated.  Prior to this point, the saddle club conducted horse shows (or Jamborees, as they were called back then)  on Carleton College property along side of the lake.  After many hours of research, the property south of Northfield was acquired from Lee Sargeant in 1961 when Bert Reese was president.  Much dirt-moving was done to make it into an amphitheater type setting that was enjoyed by many horse exhibitors for many years.

In January 1997, the saddle club property was sold to Independent School District 659 in order that a new school building and campus may be constructed on that site in the very near future.

Prior to the sale of the arena, club members began a rigorous campaign of searching for a new arena site.  It was then and still is the strong opinion that owning real property and maintaining and conducting an arena facility is vital to the survival of this club.

The saddle club entered into an agreement to purchase 10 acres from the late Walt and Lois Graff, and the club again built a new arena west of Northfield on MN Highway 19.  Many horse shows, both closed and open, are enjoyed by our present members at this facility, and the new Rainbow Arena has become well known as one of the best outdoor horse show facilities in the state.

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