by :
Saddle Ridge
Sebring,FL- March 17, 2008 - Saddle Ridge, an all-natural and eco-friendly equestrian home community near the quaint Florida town of Sebring, has added Mary Ann Simonds to its team of "green" experts. Simonds is a professional equine and equestrian consultant who has worked in the equestrian industry for the last 25 years.
Simonds' experience ranges from sustainable development and strategic planning to eco-tourism and equine behavior. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming, majoring in Wildlife Biology and Equine Ecology, she earned her Master's Degree at John F. Kennedy University in Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, specializing in Organizational Development and Leadership.
"I have been waiting for this day," commented Simonds, "when a visionary developer sees the amazing potential for integrating an equestrian community with a sustainable development. Congratulations! This truly will be a landmark project, attracting intelligent and ecologically aware equestrians. I am excited to be a part of this team and share my expertise as an ecological equestrian consultant."
Simonds has worked from the West Coast to Florida with land use agencies and organizations integrating habitat conservation, sustainability and equestrian issues.
She serves on a number of Advisory Boards for government agencies, as well as conservation and equestrian organizations, and has been instrumental in the development of protection ordinances, creative zoning, and inter-disciplinary networks for sustainable development and land use planning.
"We are thrilled to have Mary Ann on board at Saddle Ridge," stated Janie Coffey, an agent for the development. "She has extensive experience with facility design, wildlife protection, and equine management. These are critical issues for Saddle Ridge to address while building a truly green and well-preserved equestrian environment."
Saddle Ridge is exceedingly committed to constructing an environmentally conscious, deed-restricted development; therefore, additional consultants have collaborated with Saddle Ridge to ensure that the land conservation, building methods, and horse-keeping practices coincide with a green lifestyle. Gregory J. Sawka of the Southeast Soil & Environmental Service Inc. recently teamed with Saddle Ridge as a soil consultant and engineer. Through composite samples, he has performed tests to examine the suitability of the soil for horse grazing.
Construction at Saddle Ridge is currently underway, and this professionally planned facility is composed of 1,200 acres. Because the layout has been designed to preserve the natural state of the land and ensure privacy for its residents, only 96 parcels are available for purchase. At this time, Saddle Ridge is pleased to provide new customers with a limited time offer. The development is offering a select number of 10 acre parcels, a 3,000 square foot custom home and a three-stall barn for $690,000.
Residents will be able to custom build houses in the Florida-cracker bungalow style that incorporates elements to make them compliant with green standards.