The Bar P Ranch, LLC. was purchased in December 2016 by the Armstrong Family from Springville, Indiana. Alan and Sharon Armstrong and their three daughters, Amy Spires, Ashley Armstrong, and Allison Deckard, and their families are continuing the tradition of The Bar P Ranch that Charlie and Esther Parton started in January 1965. We have owned a family cattle and grain farm in both Monroe and Lawrence Counties for seven generations. We have shown and rode horses since we could walk.
Alan and Sharon reside in Springville, IN. They are both graduates of Indiana University and have retired from education with 43 years of teaching our youth in the Monroe and Lawrence county communities. Alan has continued his success with the family farm, Armstrong Land and Cattle Company, LLC and Standish Farm Supply, LLC. With over 400 cow/ calf pairs and 600 feeder calves, Alan keeps busy on the family farm enjoying what he loves most. Alan has rented the land from Charlie and Esther Parton and the Bar P Ranch for the last 15 years. Therefore, we will continue to have fresh feeder cattle available at the Ranch for people to work and enjoy. Sharon continues to keep busy with our event venue, The Loft At Walnut Hill Farm, LLC. If you come to the Bar P Ranch and Alan is around, you may get to hear more tales about Charlie Parton and continue Charlie’s tradition of storytelling!
Cam and Amy Spires reside in Springville, IN with their two boys, Caden (9) and Casen (5). Cam is an educator at the West Washington School Corporation. Amy is an outpatient physical therapist at IU Health Paoli. Amy and Cam also own A-1 Excavating, LLC. Amy was a 10-year 4-H member and continues to show on the AQHA circuit in amateur events in both the western, hunt seat, and all-around disciplines. Amy also enjoys traveling around the United States showing our 2 year olds at AQHA furturies. Caden and Casen have continued the tradition of enjoying the farm. Caden will show in his first year of 4-H with a horse and pony, swine, and beef cattle projects this summer. Caden and Casen love to compete in four-wheeler races, basketball, and baseball.
Heath Prince and Ashley Armstrong reside in Springville, IN with their two children, Olivia (5) and Garrett (3). Heath is a business planner at General Motors in Bedford, IN. Dr. Ashley is the owner and veterinarian at Regional Veterinary Services, LLC., a large animal veterinary clinic. Heath and Ashley also are part owners of The Loft At Walnut Hill Farm, LLC. and pitch in there whenever they can. Ashley was a 10-year 4-H member and continues to show on the AQHA circuit in amateur events in hunter under saddle and all-around disciplines. Olivia loves gymnastics and playing soccer. She is also following in her mommy’s footsteps by showing in lead line at the quarter horse shows and now in mini 4-H. Garrett absolutely loves animals and doing gymnastics like his big sister.
Levi and Alli Deckard reside in Bloomington, IN with their daughter, Ayla (1). Levi is the manager at Standish Farm Supply, LLC. Alli is a dental hygentist at Dr. Allen Linnemeier’s office in Bloomington. Alli was a 10-year 4-H member and continues to show on the AQHA circuit when she can in western and all-around events. Alli excels in showmanship at halter and qualified for The World Show in 2011. Levi was a 10-year 4-H member as well. Levi and his family raise and show pigs at Deckard Show Pigs and Alli loves to help with the show pigs.
We all have many memories at the Bar P Ranch that we cherish and would like to continue the tradition. Just a few of our fondest memories growing up around the Bar P Ranch include going to Charlie and Esther’s every summer for 4-H horse and pony clinics, going on trail rides after a long day of instruction, playing in the creek and swimming in their pool, and showing at open shows and POA shows. We remember the original barn and the girls and boys bunkhouses that we got to spend the night in during camps. I remember learning to tie a horse up in the aisle way, going through a trail pattern, and playing Red Rover on horses. Who could forget Esther’s cooking and her pies, Charlie’s stories about Soxy and Esther playing roller derby, and their love and support of the horse industry and the people surrounding them. Charlie and Esther were always so welcoming to everyone and we hope to continue their love of the Bar P Ranch to our youth for years to come!