Join the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) on November 28 for the annual Holiday Barn Tour Sponsored by Morton Buildings. Barking Fox Farm in Tryon will be among the Tryon areas equestrian sites joining the annual Holiday Barn Tour.

If you missed Barking Fox Farm on the first FENCE Holiday Barn Tour in 2003, here is your chance to see it. If you did get a chance to see it in 2003, just wait until you see all the improvements.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephens began work on their barn in 1997 after moving to the area from Georgia.&bsp; Their elegant main barn was stick built to their own design on 43 acres, along with a smaller barn to the rear which has now been completed.

The eleven stalls have a granite dust base covered with shavings, housing several of the Stephens own horses. The barn also houses a fully-equipped apartment displaying paintings by Mrs. Stephens.

New to Barking Fox Farm are two beautifully decorated guest cottages adjacent to the barn. In between the barn and apartments is a small patio with a sitting room to relax after a long day of riding.&bsp; Just completed is a riding arena.

Barking Fox Farm is home to seven horses, five dogs and four cats. One horse that you will see on the tour is Pearl. Pearl is a seventeen hand, Percheron (French Draft Horse). Pearls owner is the Stephens son, Billy, who enjoys riding her in the ring or on the trails.

Activities at Barking Fox Farm includes a jumping demo at 9 a.m., Joan MacIntyre will display art, the Humane Society will be on hand with animals in search of their forever homes, and Expressions Florist will have a free raffle to give a way an arrangement just in time for the holidays.

Other barns on this years self-guided tour are Green Creek Miniature Farm, Freer Farm, Silver Moon Ranch, Follow Your Bliss Farm in Green Creek; Norden Farm and Bickford Farm in Campobello.&bsp; Activities during the day include hands on Polo demos at Norden Farm, Carriage Driving demo at Green Creek Miniature Farm, Wellness talks with a vet at Freer Farm, as well as lunch at Motlow Creek Gardens.

Proceeds from the FENCE Holiday Barn tour are for the benefit of FENCEs nature education and outdoor recreation programs. Tickets may be ordered by calling 828-859-9021 or by visiting www.fence.org. Tickets are available in Tryon directly from FENCE, as well as at The Book Shelf,&bsp; Down To Earth Garden Center in Tryon; in Landrum at The Farm House, The Hay Rack; and in Saluda at the Purple Onion.