Our Story

Ken and Madeline (Deanie) Pittkin have owned and operated Penmerryl for over 30 years. They built it into what it is today, and they are happy to continue to call it home in their retirement. They are also glad to not have to mow the grass anymore.

Meet the Management

How We Began

Blair and Laura’s journey started in Asheville, NC, in 2016 when Laura moved there from Austin, TX. Both working at Eurosport Asheville, a BMW and KTM motorcycle shop, they bonded over their shared passions for motorcycles, dogs, and food. This friendship eventually blossomed into a romance.

Upon learning of Ken and Deanie’s plans to retire, Blair and Laura saw an opportunity to merge their love for motorcycles and the farm. They envisioned Penmerryl Farm becoming a motorcycle-friendly haven in the Shenandoah Valley, offering facilities for motorcycle camping and events, and a gathering place for industry friends. Simultaneously, they aimed to uphold the farm’s equestrian traditions, reigniting Laura’s lifelong passion for horses. The prospect of returning to her equestrian roots was a significant draw for her, having spent six years away from Penmerryl. Recognizing the natural synergy between the horse and motorcycle worlds, they decided to embrace both interests, creating a unique vacation destination. Although it was a tough decision leaving behind friends, family, and security in Asheville, they took the leap and arrived at Penmerryl in June 2019 to embark on this exciting new chapter.

Meet the Owners

Ken and Deanie Pittkin have had an extraordinary life filled with adventure. They originally met in Deanie’s hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland when Ken moved there from London. Ken was in the midst of building a sailboat, and their meeting led to an 8-year expedition living on boats, exploring the world, and mostly staying afloat.

Their story continued with marriage, wonderful children (says the one of them writing this), and the purchase of a hotel in England. During this time, Ken developed a passion for horse riding. They eventually relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where they continued sailing and Ken decorated his notebooks with doodles of ponies. Eventually a quest for a summer home brought them to Virginia, where they unexpectedly discovered Penmerryl Farm, a picturesque property that captured their hearts. Over the years, they transformed the farm into a beautiful destination for travelers. Now, after more than 30 years, they are always on the lookout for new adventures while continuing to call Penmerryl home.

Meet the Rest of the Team/Family

penmerryl masseuse standing by table

Lydia Pittkin

Hometown: Greenville, VA

A little about me: I’ve been a licensed massage therapist since 2014. Before being employed at the family farm, I spent time working at resort spas and a chiropractor’s office. I’m a fitness and nutrition enthusiast and CrossFit coach in Staunton, VA.

How I came to work at Penmerryl Farm: I was born in Florida. As a baby my family moved me to a horse farm in Virginia. That pretty much leads us to now.

What I do in my spare time: I love biking and hiking the property with my rescue dogs.

Meet the Neighbors

Mini Donks – Seamus, Murphy and Finnegan

Hometown: Greenville, VA

A little about us: Like our larger friends, we love treats. In fact, if you don’t bring us treats, we will probably mostly ignore you.

How I came to work at Penmerryl Farm: Someone saw us at a livestock auction and felt sorry for us. They called Deanie and gave her a sob story. Here we are!

What We do in our spare time: We pretty much just hang out in the pasture at the bottom of hill below the tavern. Sometimes we scare the crap out of horses that see us and can’t figure out what we are. We have almost gotten Laura run over by a freaked out horse at least three times. So that’s fun.

Penmerryl’s Twist & Turn

Alias: Twist, Twister, Twisterman

Twist is the last remaining evidence of Penmerryl’s Irish Draught breeding program. He was born on the property is 1997, and he has slowly worked his way up to CEO.

He’s retired.

He had an injury a while back so he sometimes looks broken, but we assure you he is pain free, just awkward.

He enjoys snacks, telling his pasture mates what to do, and sleeping flat out in the field so neighbors and guests think that he’s dead and call us to report the sad news.

Arden

Arden is quite possibly the sweetest horse you will ever meet. He loves people. He wants to come home and watch tv on the couch with you. He was supposed to be a dog, but someone put him in the wrong file.

Leo

Leo is slightly neurotic in the barn, but we’ve discovered he chills out quite a bit if he can just hang in his field. He is what one would call a follower. Put him in a paddock with any confident horse and he goes full stage 5 clinger before you can get his halter off. He is now a minion, waiting for instructions. For the last while he is specifically Twist’s minion, but it’s not really a loyalty thing. If we move him, he’ll just be someone else’s minion. He’s actually pretty lovable, just lacks independence.

Hank

This one time, Ken decided to go to a big trail horse sale at the Virginia Horse Center. Deanie very clearly told him he should not, under any circumstances, buy a horse there. So that’s how we got Hank.

Willis

Willis is a very cute field buddy. He mostly just hangs out and eats. He might stop over for a treat; he might not. He’s not playing hard to get. He just doesn’t care overly much.

Kosava

Kosava was the horse Laura got as her riding horse after Twist got injured. She has a type. He looks like someone just shrank Twist down a bit and gave him crappy Thoroughbred feet and a spazzier personality. Some days he might fall asleep as you’re leading him past moving motorcycles. Other days he thinks dirt is scary. He’s quirky and we love him.

Eddie

Eddie gives unicorn in the sunset vibes. He’s a sweetie and loves a snack and some attention. He is what we call an “easy-keeper”. Sometimes, especially when the grass is coming in green and rich, he can begin to look pregnant. But he’s a boy. Just fat.

Furry Friends

BOOK NOW

Join us for your next getaway