BY ERIN BROWN
When pulling up the tree-lined winding drive to JuRo Horse Sables in Mt. Juliet, the first thing you will notice is certainly the “rustic” look, to put it mildly. You see a pond to your right, maybe some guineas running across the path and horses grazing in a pasture. This is the place I’ve loved most for riding over the past 18 years of my life, ever since my Uncle Jeff gave me a certificate to the stables for a Christmas gift one year. What better gift for a horse-obsessed 11 year old girl??!
This is why Wilson Living decided to use JuRo Horse Stables as the location for our shoot. We wanted the contrast of beautiful jewelry and clothing, with the downhome feel of the stables and surrounding landscape. Owner Sarah, who started the stable in 1989 with her partner Roger, asked me rather than interviewing her, to interview the guides, who are all volunteers. It strikes me as each guide separately labels the work with the animals as “therapeutic to the soul”.
The guides are not all what I would describe as typical “horse people”. The two I’m interviewing today: I’ve never met. One is Louis. This New York native is in his early 60’s. Louis was president of Hush Puppies shoe wear in the late 90’s – at the height of the brand’s popularity. He’s a quick wit, professorial-looking type with small round glasses and a twisty mustache, which only adds to his intelligent character and clearly non-Tennessee accent.
Then there is Carla, a dark haired beauty. She is a 31 year old mother of two, with piercing blue eyes. Carla too, is a transplant, originally hailing from Detroit. She and her husband moved to Tennessee for his design business with country music stars.
You can sense the jovial relationship between the two, through the kind-hearted bantering, which is infectious. It makes me want to
be part of this fun-loving close-knit crew. When I ask how they came to work at this small barn, they both had similar stories. Originally each were simply customers with a love for horses and a need to connect to something in their new living environment. It was the tranquility that drew them, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, once so familiar. They are just two of the ten experienced volunteers on staff at JuRo.
Aside from the trusted guides to assist you, what JuRo can offer is a wide range of activities for experienced and non. Everything from daytime trail rides, to moonlight riding for a pair or group, children’s summer horse camp, and special needs lessons. All horses are suited to the rider; whether choosing a horse for a child or elderly individual, a skittish first-time rider or someone with more expertise looking for an enjoyable fast-paced ride, the many winding trails and nature overlooks can satiate everyone’s tastes.
A special thanks to Hampton Inn of Lebanon for accommodations, Publix for food service, and Nashville Luxury Limousines for transportation on the shoot.
A special thanks to Dillard’s Department Store and Ann Taylor at The Mall at Green Hills
Hair & Makeup: Asante Salon & Spa, Lebanon, 547 1638, Jennie Ho man and Kim Bush
Hair & Makeup: Aqua Bella Salon & Spa, Mt. Juliet, 7547311, Ashlie Moore and Misha Harkovich
Hair: Hello Beautiful Salon, Lebanon, 443 1794, Angel Dingler
Hair: Synergy Salon, Nashville, 419 5186, Brian Elliot
Makeup: The Beauty Boutique Skincare & Cosmetics, Lebanon, 547 4468, Misty Kennedy and Toni-Ann Christian
Makeup: The Lett Center, Lebanon, 443 0901, Karen Harrison
Makeup: The Skincare Clinic, Lebanon, 449 3009, Katie Mitchell
Wardrobe Stylist for Shoot and Personal Styling: I Dress People., 519 0379, Erin Turner Brown
