CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Lutherlyn’s equestrian program hopes to move indoors by the end of the year.

The program is attempting to raise $110,000 to install an indoor riding arena that would allow it to expand its offerings to the community and to help bring in more revenue.

It already has raised $45,000.

Lutherlyn is home to 22 horses, which are used during the summer for lessons and other programs.

Since 2006, horseback riding lessons have taken place in the program’s 100-foot-by-200-foot outdoor arena.

Carla Babcock, equestrian programs director, said, “It’s a good arena, but it’s very weather dependent. We are able to do programs and lessons from April to October depending on the weather.”

Programming also is limited in the fall after daylight-saving time ends and the sun goes down shortly after children get out of school, Babcock said.

The planned building would be an 8,500-square-foot Clear Span construction building in the same area as the current arena, which already has a foundation in place.

The installation would only take one to two weeks, so as soon as the fundraising campaign reaches its goal, the building will be constructed, Babcock said.

It would not have heating or air conditioning, but it would have lights.

Lutherlyn has had horses since the late 1970s when it received a donation of several horses and started incorporating horseback riding with its other programs.

Eventually, it started offering more private and group lessons for children and adults, physical education class for home-schooled children as well as horseback riding for Girl Scout and Boy Scout badges. It started a 4-H club this year.

Riders at Lutherlyn don’t necessarily have to be interested in competing, Babcock said.

“Our mission is to really educate the kids and let them have a place where they can come and horse around and have fun,” she said.

All the horses at Lutherlyn are show horses that are retired from competition and were donated. They are typically 15 to 25 years old, though it does have a couple that are older than 30.

Over time, Lutherlyn has developed the reputation as being a safe haven for older horses.

“We have developed a good situation with the equestrian community. (The older horses) are suitable, they are very patient and very well trained,” Babcock said.

With its 15-miles of trails and 700 total acres, Lutherlyn also is a unique venue for horse competitions. It is the only place in southwestern Pennsylvania that can host three-day events and mini trial events that require a large amount of space.

Babcock is the equestrian program’s only full-time staff member. During the summer, Lutherlyn employs three part-time instructors and enlists volunteers to help take care of the horses.

With an indoor arena, one part-time instructor would stay on later into the fall.

Future additions of staff and programs would be dependent on rider interest, Babcock said.

As of Tuesday, the campaign had collected more than $45,000 toward its goal.

Lutherlyn is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America off Route 422.

It offers a variety of programs for all ages including youth summer camps, retreats, arts and crafts, environmental education and stables.

Donations can be sent to: Lutherlyn, P.O. Box 355, Prospect, PA 16052 or made online at www.lutherlyn.com.