Page 15 2026 Animal Stories Lincoln Daily News February 2026 “With the remote-control cars, we had people from Canada,” Vandenberg said. “With the gokarts, we had people from South Dakota come all the way down here to race.” The facility has also hosted weddings and agricultural demonstrations, showcasing its flexibility as an event venue. “We’ve had weddings here as well — country weddings,” she said. “You can dress it up if you really want to make it formal.” Operating the business has been a learning experience, particularly transitioning from Saddlebred horse shows in South Africa to Western riding events in Illinois. “It’s two different worlds,” Vandenberg said. “We learned a new industry to start with, and there’s a lot of people that we got to know.” Although much of the work falls on her shoulders, Vandenberg said her husband plays a key role in preparing the arena surface and assisting with physical labor during events. “My husband…he helps with the cleaning and all the manual stuff,” she said. “When it comes to administration and this stuff, it’s all on me.” Community involvement remains central to the arena’s mission. Events are free for spectators to attend, with optional donations sometimes benefiting charitable causes such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “You can just come in, look,” Vandenberg said. “If you like what you see, stay.” Looking ahead, the arena is preparing to introduce new programming, including Western pleasure shows and a seasonal “Spring Fling” series, which Vandenberg hopes will attract new visitors and expand the facility’s reach. Ultimately, she hopes more people will discover what the property offers — whether for events, meals or simply a welcoming place to spend time. “What I would like them to know about is the fact that the café is here,” she said. “It’s family friendly.” [Sophia Larimore]
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