ATHOL - Prompted by a neighbor's complaints, Kootenai County has informed an Athol property owner she must stop hosting community riding events, unless she obtains a permit.

Although Deborah Patrick is now applying for a conditional use permit for a private recreational facility, she insists her activities create no issues.

"I will be blown away if they'd shut something like this down," said Deborah Patrick.

For roughly three years, Patrick has allowed nonprofit Play a Day in Athol to put on riding competitions free of charge at her private outdoor arena, located on her 10-acre parcel on Caribou Road.

Patrick volunteered to host the monthly events that attract up to 150 spectators and riders, she said, because of the opportunity they offer kids and adults to ride for fun and competition.

"I think having kids out here and that is great," said Patrick, who has lived at her home for about a decade. "That's why we live out here."

She didn't pursue a permit, she added, because she figured that was the benefit of living in a remote area.

"I didn't know you couldn't live out here and do what you wanted," she said. "If you can't do this and live out here in Athol, where can you buy property and do that?"

Her neighbor, Karen Hunt, feels different.

Hunt, whose home sits less than a quarter mile from the arena, complained to the county this summer that Patrick's events are too noisy and dusty.

The events aren't appropriate for the remote neighborhood, Hunt added.

"If I wanted to live next to the fairgrounds, I would've lived next to the fairgrounds," said Hunt, who has lived at her home for 15 years.

Hunt worries the stream of horse trailers for events will tear up Caribou Road, which she and other property owners pay to maintain.

Patrick's endeavors are also setting a precedent for other neighbors to follow, she added.

"I pay $80 a week for gas to drive in and out for activities and to access services, so I can live on a quiet place," Hunt said.

The county, which was unaware of Patrick's events prior to the complaint, is requiring a recreational facility permit because of the many activities occurring on the property, said Scott Clark with county Community Development.

He pointed out that Patrick allows limited camping, with guests staying in their own trailers. A portable concession stand is available during events.

"It's quite a diversity of things," Clark said. "It's more than just riding your horses in the back yard."

According to the narrative, events will last between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. No more than 15 will be scheduled a year.

A public hearing is tentatively set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Kootenai County Administration Building, Clark said.

Julie Maguire, president of Play a Day in Athol, said her group has no other option for an outdoor arena to use for free.

"We hosted the Idaho State O-Mok-See at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, and that cost us $500," Maguire said, adding that she and Patrick came to their arrangement after meeting by chance. "A little club like ours could never afford to put a horse show on down there."

The organization's indoor winter facility is too small for the summer events, she added.

The group holds events that include pattern racing, barrel racing, pole bending and training clinics, usually with a $20 participation fee.

Participants range from 5 months old into the 70s, Maguire added.

"It's just a wonderful community project," she said. "Without this, there would be a lot of hometown kids with nowhere to ride, because they don't have the money to travel very far."

Michelle Brinkley, who said she lives less than mile away from Patrick's arena, said she supports the riding events there.

"I sometimes hear talking and stuff when they're doing their roping, but it's not any different than if I was talking to my daughters across the yard," she said. "I think it's great what they do."