#CavalleriaLife

Owned by renowned forensic criminologist, Dr. Laura Pettler, Cavalleria Rusticana is made up of 17 lush acres of gentle sloping green pastures and woodlands in Waxhaw Horse Country. A large, free flowing creek makes up the rear perimeter of the property, which is nestled 1/2 mile from the main road. No traffic, no vehicles, just peace, tranquility, and the sounds of nature. Cavalleria’s pond is stocked with bass, brim, cat fish, crappie, and turtles can be spotted during the season. It is not uncommon to awaken to wild ducks, deer, owls, hawks, egrets, and great blue herons on their daily tours around the property.

Cavalleria has a perimeter riding and hiking trail that runs 3/4 of a mile along the entire 17 acre perimeter of the property with access to approximately 100 surrounding acres of neighboring fields and woodlands of which we enjoy. We love bon fires, pond-side and poolside meals, swimming in the summer, riding, walking, hiking, fishing, and other activities all right here at home with our horses and dogs.

Why the name Cavalleria Rusticana?

Laura wanted to name the farm something that represented who she is while reflecting her horses and dogs as well. Simply speaking, cavalleria (ca-VALL like "hall"-er-eee-ya like "galleria) is the Italian word for horse and chivalry and rusticana is the Italian word for rustic. Laura loved the the two-word combination because of her love for old world high quality rustic architecture, furniture, and art coupled with her obsession with the magnificent ancient European and specifically, the Italian cultures. Interestingly, another direct translation of cavalleria is calvary. Knights or cavalieri rode baroque horses, a chivalrous, agile, yet big-bodied horse that originated during the Middle-Ages. 

And if its ties to Laura’s passion for old world breeds were not enough to convince her that Cavalleria Rusticana was the perfect name for my farm, what makes the name even more perfect is that, “Cavalleria Rusticana” is a one act opera penned from an 19th century short story about a young man’s valiant plight to win back his first love after he returns from war. Laura is a musician, so naming the farm after a piece of music was incredibly natural and comfortable for her. And finally, the opera was first performed in Rome in 1890, which Laura’s favorite place in the world...enterna Roma citta (Rome forever). Considering all of the above, Cavalleria Rusticana or “Rustic Chivalry” was the perfect name for Laura’s farm.