94 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
Architecture
A dream come true barn.
Photo courtesy of Classic Equine
Equipment
Building Dream Barns
C
hristy Schulthess has the perfect career. Over a lifetime
of horse keeping, she’s accumulated a long and always-
growing wish list of stable equipment and accessories.
As the president and COO of Classic Equine Equipment, her
most important responsibility is finding items that fulfill those
wishes, and in a way that meets the Fredericktown, Missouri,
company’s high standard for safety, quality and great looks.
Her mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University
provides a great foundation for the extensive research involved
in determining which products are worthy additions to the Classic
catalog.
“Even when I’m on vacation, I’m always on the lookout for
something that could be applicable in a horse barn,” Christy
explains. Infrared heaters suitable for outdoor use came to
her attention while she was waiting in a restaurant line. After a
thorough check of their suitability for a stable environment, the
heaters are now a popular item in Classic’s growing selection of
barn accessories.
During its 23 years in business, Classic Equine has built a
terrific reputation for stall systems that offer the best in function,
safety, beautiful designs and long-term value. An extensive line
of equipment and accessories is a newer, yet rapidly growing
extension of the company’s solid foundation. Tack room racks
and storage devices, an array of lighting options, fans, flooring,
dollies and carts exemplify the unique items that have enabled
barn builders and remodelers. The company is proud of its ability
to “outfit any room in the barn and provide almost any piece of
equipment,” Christy explains.
Whether a horse owner has hired a contractor or is acting as
their own, the process of identifying all the necessary and/or
desired non-stall components “can be overwhelming,” Christy
observes. “Our intent is to provide convenience to our customers
so they don’t have to search all over the Internet for things that
can be quite difficult to find.”
An oversized dolly is one of Christy’s favorite finds. Designed to
carry hay and other heavy loads, it folds into a compact, space-
saving shape for easy storage. High-velocity basket fans are
another hot item. Sourced from the agriculture industry, they were
used successfully in dairy and pig farming and thus were an ideal
Classic Equine catalog addition as a tried and true ventilation
workhorse in a stable setting. Beautiful wood and brass saddle
racks have become another big hit with customers.
As their offering of equipment and accessories grows, Classic
continues to be the king of high quality stall systems. “A lot of
stall products look similar from a distance,” Christy notes. Beyond
the beautiful looks, the quality that distinguishes Classic Equine’s
products is not always evident to the untrained eye. The rust
prevention built into Classic stalls is a case in point. The company
uses only pre-galvanized steel in its grillwork, stall hardware,
pasture gates and all other components. “The steel we use has
a thin coating of zinc applied at the mill,” she explains. This adds
another layer of rust preventions — along with custom color
choices. The extra steps pay off in the longevity of both good
looks and great function. Stall doors slide smoothly with the touch
of a finger and the original finishes last 10 to 15 years, sometimes
longer. This is the case in settings ranging from small, private
facilities to large, heavy-use public boarding operations and
veterinary hospitals.
The company’s strict commitment to Made-In-America products
is one that pings on patriotic radar screens. Its contribution to the
longevity of Classic’s products is another quality point consumers
won’t see on the surface. “All of our steel products are made
here in Fredericktown, Missouri, ensuring that we have complete
control over the quality of the product,” Christy notes.
Classic Equine’s stall systems come in styles that suit several
budgets, but they’ll never be the cheapest based on price tag
alone. When economics over the products’ long life span are
factored in, however, the upfront costs are a sound investment.
Plus, Classic Equine Equipment is a peace-of-mind provider. The
priorities and needs of the hands-on horse owner are reflected
in everything that carries Classic’s name, from its award-winning
blog to every item — big and small — delivered to customers
across the country.
“Everything we do is built around the safety of the horse, the
functionality of the product, then the beauty of the end result,”
Christy concludes. “We provide a great product, but what we
really see ourselves doing is helping people make their dreams
come true.”
