Expanding Horizons in Minnesota

The cold Minnesota winter weather could not deter Maggie Kuusisto from holding her driving clinics. Confronted by heavy snow falls and chilly temperatures, Kuusisto was in need of a building that would keep the cold out and also, would provide a relaxing training environment. In the spring of 2000, Kuusisto rode inside a Cover-All® building at the Minnesota State Fair. The experience prompted her to purchase her own Cover-All in 2001. "We originally bought it because I wanted to ride in the Cover-All and I knew it would be a wonderful riding arena, but it's opened up so many other aspects of our business. It has enabled us to start doing clinics inside and we've done a few political agricultural conferences," explains Kuusisto. "In the space of about five days, they erected the entire building. It was a remarkable process. It was a wonderful construction site and I can't think of one glitch. We've been just thrilled from day one."

The abundance of natural light in Cover-All® buildings was a key influencer in Kuusisto's purchase decision. "It's wonderful in Minnesota where it gets colder and a little bit grey during the winter. Every time I come in this building, it's light, airy and makes the winters go shorter. It's a wonderful setting. We have four lights in the arena, which is just amazing because that is still plenty of light for riding. It stays light all evening until the sun goes down and I can ride at 9:00pm. There are no shadows like you get in some of the steel buildings."

The clear-span interior has given Kuusisto more space for training. "We've got plenty of room, even when we've got two wagons going. I don't feel space restrictions. We can usually have about three horses with people ground driving them with absolutely no problem. When we give sleigh rides, people can wait inside."

Cold weather and snow storms are no longer an issue for Kuusisto. "Unless it's really cold, this building is always around 40 degrees. We don't pay a thing for heating and that's miraculous to me. We can schedule clinics now in the late fall or early spring. I feel like I'm outside without the wind or snow."

Adding flexibility to her work environment has enabled Kuusisto's business to grow. "My Cover-All® building has really expanded my horizons. It has been a great addition to my life with horses and to our business," says Kuusisto. "We can do just about anything we want in here. Really, the sky''s the limit."