Neighbors swapping farmland likely dates back even to colonial days. And the reasons would be endless but often simply because conditions had changed for Farmer A or Farmer B since that original purchase. Such is the recent history of a Renville County farm located between Fairfax and Hector, MN.

It started with the sale of 138 acres of cropland in the early 1980s to Bill Roebke, Hector area farmer. The seller was Mike Schweiss, a struggling dairy farmer at the time but a tinkerer with a remarkable penchant for 'creating' a variety of useful devices and equipment for his neighboring farmers. Part of that creative imagination was something called a "bi-fold" door, which eventually led to this farmer becoming a full-time door builder. In fact once the stanchions were ripped out the old barn became the initial cutting and welding area for these bi-fold doors.

For the past 28 years Bill Roebke has been reselling various parcels of his original 138-acre purchase, ironically to the same party he originally purchased the land from. That would be the Mike Schweiss family to 'make room' for the continually expanding Schweiss door business. And to provide space for a newly-built equestrian stable and training ground. Horses have become a huge new chapter in the lives of the Schweiss ladies.

"The Roebkes and the Schweiss families have been good neighbors since the beginning of time," related Roebke. "But when I bought the cropland from Mike in the 1980's, I certainly didn't;t think I would eventually be selling several parcels back to him."

His first 'resell' was 15 acres for additional manufacturing space. Next was a five-acre patch, and soon a few more parcels. Most recent acquisition was a wooded. 22-acre patch of land owned by Bill's brother, John Roebke. This particular parcel adjoins the north edge of the soon-to-be professional riding academy for Magister Equitum, the Schweiss equestrian facility.

You sense the friendly bantering over these land swaps. Schweiss two years ago mentioned to John Roebke that he'd like to buy that old wooded farmsted. Roebke responded, "Mike, I don't need to sell that parcel. Make me happy."

Apparently the fever of building a first class equestrian facility was not to be denied. "Mike told me he'd pay for all the legal work, the survey to establish boundaries, even the closing of the old well. And I would get the check for the land," Roebke said.

Being an astute CPA (Certified Public Accountant) with a Minneapolis area firm, Roebke simple acknowledged, "Mike, that's fine with me. We started with just a 10-acre patch including some of the woodland. But he convinced me to sell him the entire 22-acres."

At a June 30 visit at the Schweiss equestrian facility, the Roebkes shared their amazement of the renovations taking place on the land they previously owned, "As we dove in, we looked. We remembered what once was," exclaimed Bill Roebke. "We saw what is now happening an we both exclaimed 'Wow'."

And it's only going to get better. John Williams, a professional equestrian course designer from Kentucky is now putting his touches to work. The intent is to have a professionally-designed riding academy that potentially will soon be hosting major horse shows events for riders from across the Midwest and elsewhere.

"It's important to have a variety of topography and that includes open spaces with appropriate jumping and water courses, plus a wooded area as part of the cross country challenges," explained Williams. "A completely open course is a bit sterile and boring. This topography gives you a bit of everything you want."

John Roebke is amazed by what the Schweiss' have created. "Never in my wildest imagination could I visualize what Julie, Mike and their family are now creating," he said. "I remember that 22-acre old farmstead as a junky old box elder grove filled with rocks, rusty cans, old pails, crap iron and a bunch of old beer bottles too. It was a typical 'catch all' dumping place."

"These re-sales of Mike's original farmland back to Mike have just been fun, and intriguing too," Bill Roebke added "When you see your long-time neighbor building a business that keeps on expanding. it was only logical to sell back some land as needed. You want to see this business grow. It employs lots of people. Mike is a catalyst for this area. That's part of what America is all about. And that's been my satisfaction in reselling this land back to Mike."

"The Schweiss girls have been dreaming about this riding facility for years. Today we are seeing this ambition getting into its final stages of preparation," the Roebkes concluded.

"It's fun. It's exciting. The Roebkes have been reliable and fair," said Schweiss. "The economy has been a bit spooky at times so you've got to have some faith and some courage."

Having good products in the marketplace helps too! Schweiss Doors is acknowledged as #1 for both bi-fold and hydraulic doors in world markets.

More expansion down the road? The Roebke brothers simply responded, "Look at Mike's history," Bill Roebke winked, "And if he needs more land I can find another parcel."

On June 30, this magnificent new training course was appropriately dedicated as 'The Roebke Run'.

Stay tuned. There likely will be more chapters (acres) added to this remarkable story about a piece of farmland that keeps exchanging ownership, parcel by parcel.

A family of horse enthusiasts from the area have added to their love for riding...in a big way.

     The Schweiss family, who own and operate the well-known Schweiss Bi-Fold Doors company between Hector and Fairfax, have constructed a state-of-the-art equestrian facility and stable just north of the Bi-Fold Doors plant.
     The large red barn is clearly visible for motorists on Highway 4 passing near the facility.
     The Schweiss Magister Equitum Stables held an open house last Saturday for visitors to take a first-hand look at this majestic facility.
     Construction on the facility began in November of 2006 and took approximately one year to complete.
     The Schweiss' purchased 40 acres of land from Bill and Gail Roebke, Hector, in order to construct the facility. "None of this would have been possible without Bill and Gail," said Brook (Schweiss) Mead, who manages the new facility.
     Mike Schweiss owned the land originally, but sold it to the Roebkes. "In the early 70s, dad (Mike Schweiss) had owned all the land," said Brook. "But he sold it off when he wanted to get out of farming." Mike Schweiss began re-acquiring the land in pieces over the last few years.
     The first part of the Schweiss Magister Equitum Stables is complete with the construction of the stables and riding arena. The next phase is finishing the cross-country course, which consists of building the jumps. The cross-country area sits immediately north of the stable. By next fall, they hope to the facility ready for schooling shows, although they wouldn't be a recognized. "Within five years we are looking at hosting recognized shows," said Brook.
     The stable facility is a heated barn with breathtaking woodwork and architecture with a medieval theme. Indoor stalls line the inside of the spacious barn. Also available are paddock with run-in-shed and pasture boarding. The barn also houses an indoor riding arena that measures 80' x 200' in size.
     "I never thought it would be this big," said Brook. "It's more than I could've imagined."
     The facility also includes a kitchen area/viewing area for owners to watch during training or workouts, a wash stall and a tack room.
     Stabling includes the use of all the facilities. While horses are at Schweiss Magister Equitum Stables, owners are welcome to take advantage of the living quarters which can sleep up to six people. The owners can register for short stays at $300 per horse.
     Schools or training services are available with trainer Kathy McInerny. Owners are also welcome to bring their own trainers to the facility and use any of the facilities, including the cross-country course, outdoor dressage area, stadium and indoor arena.
     The idea for such a facility came from Mike and Julie Schweiss' daughter and Brook's younger sister, Autumn. "She was determined to learn how to jump," said Brook. "We were strictly trail riding. I thought I was all done with the horses. I could handle just trail riding, but when Autumn said she wanted a jumping saddle, I knew she was intense and this was not something that was going to go away. Mom and dad bought the jumping saddle and I did a lot of research on trying to find a trainer."
     The search for a trainer ended up sending Brook and younger sisters Autumn, 14, and Lark, 13, who both attended St. Mary's School in Bird Island, to Maple Lake twice per week, which is a round-trip of four hours. They made the trip for two years.
     "It got to be too much," Brook said. "That's when we decided it was time to build. Dad thought this was a short little phase until he found out 'oh, we can win money at these events and my girls are actually doing quite well.' Once he realized we were bringing blue ribbons home, he realized we were not going to give this up."
     Autumn was the first to start riding and competing in these type events and Lark soon followed. After about six months, Brook also began competing. "I tried it twice and decided that I was going to keep doing it," Brook said.
     Autumn and Lark started training on ponies and Brook on her horse. Autumn later decided on a bigger horse and she continually places in the top 5 or 10 in competitions. She researched and found a unique Akhal-Teke breed. There are only 255 of that breed in the U.S. There are now three owned by the Schweiss family.
     "We do about five or six shows a year," Brook said. "We go all over. The closest is in Anoka. That is the only one in Minnesota." Other stops include Kansas City, Otter Creek in Wheeler, Wisconsin, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Illinois and Kentucky.
     The three Schweiss sisters have found something they are very passionate about. Now they have a place to enjoy that passion, just a few steps away.
     Schweiss Magister Equitum Stables was created with the goal of allowing many horse enthusiasts to enjoy that same passion.
     For more information, contact Brook at brook@bifold.com or (320) 894-8831.

*Originally published in the News-Mirror of Hector, MN