PATTI CARTER and DENISE FRANKLIN

 

Patti Carter and Denise Franklin have been friends for 28 years.  Most Hanover residents have seen them directing bus and vehicular traffic at Liberty Middle and Patrick Henry High Schools in the mornings and afternoons.  But it’s their love of horses that originally brought them together.  Their paths crossed in 1979 when they worked together breeding, breaking and training race horses.  They continued their friendship through marriage and children, and they are both still working with horses.  Patti owns Painted Horse Farm, where she gives English riding lessons and goes to horse shows on the weekends.  Denise still works with and conditions race horses.  “In fact,” says Patti, “I take race horse rejects from Denise.”   That’s true friendship. 

 

PATTI CARTER and

DENISE FRANKLIN

 

Why do you love Ashland/Hanover?

PATTI:  I love the rural living, Hanover tomatoes and friendly people.  I also love the quaint town of Ashland.  As a teenager, I remember going to the “five and dime” and later the Stage Coach Restaurant.  Anyone who has lived in Hanover for a long time remembers the Stage Coach.

DENISE:  Everyone is so nice and friendly.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

PATTI:  Going to my Aunt’s house in Speed, North Carolina, where it was truly “country” with horses everywhere.  At age 10, I got my first pony for Christmas named “Flicka” after the show “My Friend, Flicka.”

DENISE:  Spending the summer with my grandparents in Henrico County riding ponies and swimming.

What is your favorite childhood cartoon?

PATTI:  Well, I’m not sure about childhood cartoon, but I do love “The Powerpuff Girls.” 

DENISE:  Bugs Bunny and Friends.

Where is your favorite vacation spot/activity?

PATTI:  My favorite activity is fox hunting.

DENISE:  I love being at home with my family.  My favorite vacation spot is in the mountains for some R & R.

Where do you work?

PATTI:  I work as a Hanover County traffic guard (Liberty Middle School), and I own Painted Horse Farm in Beaverdam.

DENISE:  I work as a traffic guard for Hanover County (Patrick Henry High School), and I condition race horses at Eagle Point Farm. 

I also own Edgemont Stables.

Who is your favorite author or what is your favorite book?

PATTI:  I love Rachel Ray’s cookbooks.

DENISE:  My favorite author JK Rowlings.

What or who are you most proud of?

PATTI:  I’m most proud of my business, which I’ve been building for 12 years.  I’ve seen many of my riding students grow up.  Some of them are in their 20s.  One of my former students is a jockey and is traveling all over the place.

DENISE:  My three children.

Are you a “cat” person or a “dog” person?

PATTI and DENISE:  Both.

What brought you to Hanover?

PATTI:  My parents brought us to Hanover in 1974. 

DENISE:  I've lived here all of my life.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

PATTI:  Fox hunting in Ireland.

DENISE: Ireland.

 

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