Sultana Stables started as a dream of Gary and Ruth Ann Gray's in the late 1960's. The young couple started taking riding lessons at a hunter jumper barn. The barn housed nearly fifty horses but the Grays were drawn to one in particular. An Arabian gelding named Reis Zariff++. The couple fell in love with the horse and the proud breed.

Gary and Ruth Ann were both school teachers in New Jersey suburbia, just starting their careers. They dreamed of building a farm where people could get together, ride, learn and enjoy themselves. The bought land and built in Greendell, Sussex County, New Jersey.

The farm was named after Ruth Ann and out of respect for the Arabian breed- "Sultana", which means the wife of the Sultan in Arabic. The Grays spent 25 years running a successful training and breeding facility that housed many breeds including Champion Arabians, Saddlebreds, Morgans and Pintos. They were the first horse farm in New Jersey to own a stallion in syndicate and the first to breed National Show Horses.

As Gary and Ruth Ann developed a business together, they also raised three daughters. Each of the girls grew to love the horse world. The girls grew up training and showing horses year round. Each was active in 4-H and local horse clubs. They learned sportsmanship, teamwork and a passion for learning and teaching.

In 1992, Ruth Ann and the girls took over training and management of the farm after Gary died suddenly. They worked the farm and planned for the future. They changed the focus of the farm from training and breeding to training and lessons. The girls developed a booming lessons business that included several state, regional and National Champion youth riders. They reinvented an established business and made a plan for the future.

The girls knew for their success to continue, they would need to go work for some of the top trainers in the country to further their own knowledge and experience. The family sold the farm in New Jersey. Each of the girls spent time away from the family to develop their own skills. They worked with well respected trainers such as Cathy Vincent, Mary Trowbridge, Gordon Potts, Tommy Garland, Liz Bentley and Tom Scott.

In 1999, the entire family joined in Delaware and developed a business at Sandy Hill Arabians in Georgetown. In 2000, the Grays bought land in Greenwood, Sussex County, Delaware. They thought someone was trying to tell them this was the piece for them, having grown up in Greendell, Sussex County, NJ!

The Grays are, once again, all together at their own farm. Each brings their unique skills to the table to offer superior services to the public. Ruth Ann, an eighth grade math teacher and Longaberger Basket advisor, is Sultana's heart and soul. She helps manage the business end of the barn as well as competing in adult amateur. Ruth Ann has to her credit a top ten in Amateur Park. She has won Regional championships in Western, English and Country English pleasure.

Jennifer and her husband Daniel have two young daughters. Jennifer works a flexible schedule as a sales associate for a clothing store. This gives her time to manage the barn and continue her own riding. Prior to a short break to start her own family, Jennifer was a highly accomplished youth rider. She won three top tens and a Reserve National Championship in her last year at Youth Nationals.

Jamie always knew she would be a horse trainer. She started with many years of 4-H, horse judging, hundreds of horse shows and even more lessons. Jamie's passion for training and riding has been a constant in her life. She is a talented young woman with many aspirations for her career in the horse industry. Jamie is excited about her new facility and looks forward to working with clients who share her love and passion for the sport. Jamie has trained regional champions in Park, Western, English, Hunter and Halter. Jamie was nominated and earned the Arabian Horse Associations award, "Top 30 under 30" Look for her article in the Modern Arabian Horse Magazine.

Jody started giving riding lessons at the age of 17 in New Jersey. She has trained many riders of varying ages and ability levels. After a childhood of outstanding riding instructors or her own, Jody has taken what she had learned and added her own distinct style in her riding lessons. Her riding lessons are tough, ask any of her riders. However, they are also fun, effective and unlike any lesson most people have had before. Jody teaches 6,7and 8 grade middle school students. She uses her professional training in education to enhance her skills as a riding instructor.

Please feel free to call or stop by to see the farm and meet the girls. Certainly, it will be easy for you to see why this family is unique and why this farm is just what you were looking for.

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