Spirit's Promise Equine Rescue to relocate upstate, owner says, citing issues with Riverhead Town

A Riverhead horse rescue is planning to relocate upstate after a town zoning crackdown forced the cancellation of fundraisers and events at the Sound Avenue farm.

Marisa Striano, who owns Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation, said she made the decision after events, including a popular line dancing program, were hampered by town zoning enforcement. Striano confirmed that she intends to close the farm at the end of the year and relocate with the animals 245 miles away, to a 236-acre farm in Delanson, a village west of Albany, in March

In 2010, Striano founded the rescue as a sanctuary for her horses Spirit and Joker. Today, the 17 horses at the ranch include ex-show horses and police and other workhorses. Cows, pigs and ducks also live on the 4.5-acre farm.

“We called it a ‘401(hay),’ ” Striano, 62, said. “We’re giving retirement to horses … A lot of these lesson barns unfortunately choose auction, which subsequently leads to slaughter.”

The Town of Riverhead recently clamped down on the events at the rescue in response to complaints, officials said.

The organization announced Sept. 1 that it would shut down weekly line dancing classes and other events over the zoning issues, hindering its ability to raise funds for the rescue.

The ranch became much more than a safe haven for animals. After falling from a horse in 2012 and advised not to ride by her doctor, Striano became certified in equine-based life coaching and wanted to help others at her farm. The center has hosted therapy groups and sessions for veterans, children with autism and bereavement groups through East End Hospice.

Striano also hosted weekly line dancing classes, monthly barn dances, children’s parties and weddings in a barn at the site that dates to the 1800s. The events provided crucial fundraising for the nonprofit, which costs about $27,000 a month to cover operations for staff, insurance and animal feed, she said.

Town crackdown

In April, code enforcement officers issued 13 tickets to Striano for violations including no building permit, no certificate of occupancy and non-permitted uses, according to Riverhead Town Attorney Erik Howard. The violations are related to construction, including a deck and other renovations, done without permits, he said.

Hosting commercial events is not allowed in the residential zoning district where the property lies, Howard said.

“One of the issues with hosting dancing classes and weddings is that the barn as a structure classification is not rated/approved for large assembly uses due to lack of safety features such as fire protection, egress, sanitary,” Howard said in an email.

People from across Long Island sought the venue out for line dancing. The lessons were held in a real barn, which made for an authentic experience, said Sherry Turpin, of Wading River, who coordinated the program.

“It does feel a little like 'Footloose' at times," she said in an interview.

Turpin said “there was not a lot of warning” before the town ramped up enforcement efforts.

"We’ve been dancing there for a decade and no one has ever bothered us,” she said.

Winding down operations

Striano said horses and humans have an ancient bond and the animals put people at ease. “Horses have an empathic way of mirroring back to you who you are,” she explained.

Turpin and line dancing instructor Jenn Demeo, of Sound Beach, scrambled to find new locations for classes at legion halls and community centers on the East End.

Angela Byrns, a social worker and children’s bereavement coordinator at East End Hospice, hosted the final session of a six-week bereavement course at the ranch on Thursday.

One of the final activities helps conceptualize grief as participants envision walking over a bridge. The act is designed to symbolize the grieving process.

“It’s very powerful because there are times where the horses won’t move, and people realize they’re stuck,” Byrns said. “There are a lot of ‘aha’ moments.”

Striano listed the property for $1.7 million in October. It includes a three-bedroom home, round pen and 20-stall barn.

Farm tours are still planned on Sundays through the end of the year.

She said the town’s regulatory hurdles and an ongoing legal battle with a neighboring golf course led her to the decision to move.

Court documents show Striano is locked in a dispute over ownership of a property line that extends to Long Island Sound with Friar’s Head Golf Club. The case is pending.

“I feel like I’m not welcome here anymore,” Striano said. “I just can’t fight with anybody anymore.”