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If you live in Rockingham County, you've probably heard about the proposed horse park. (More here.)

Well, now the state House of Representatives are well aware of the project as well.

The House was working on its budget today, and the Appropriations Committee spent something like 10 hours today making tweaks and tucks. Our story begins at the end of this marathon when Rep. Nelson Cole brings in something like the 77th amendment of the day.

To listen while you read, click here to listen to the 10 minutes or so of committee discussion and vote.

As it was originally drafted, the budget included $3.34 million to build a horse barn at the Hunt Horse Complex at the state fair grounds in Raleigh.

Cole's amendment takes that money and moves it down I-40, up Rt. 29 and up to the "Upper Piedmont Agricultural Research Station."

The what now?

Regular readers will recall the ongoing tug-of-war involving Ag Commissioner, Steve Troxler, NC State and a cast of thousands. Those research stations are spread across the state, some managed by the Ag Department, some by the universities.

Well, the "Upper Piedmont Agricultural Research Station" is in Rockingham County, right next to Chinqa Penn.

Already, NCA&T conducts some research there.

Why mention A&T?

Glad you asked.

As it turns out, economic developers in Rockingham County have dreamed up a big horse show complex as a way to spur development in the area. At the same time, A&T's equestrian program has had designs on a new facility.

So the economic developers and the A&T folks realize they're working toward similar agendas.

Back to the Appropriations meeting.

Cole's amendment sends the $3.34 million to A&T. The equine program gets to build a big barn and other horse-related items at the research station, which now looks a bit more relevant. To boot, Rockingham's "Horse Park of the South" gets a jump start.

"They will be a joint but separate venture," Cole said.

The Appropriations Committee passed the amendment on a voice vote.

Again, click here to listen to the 10 minutes or so of committee discussion and vote.

You might think that Wake County representatives might have an issue with the change.

You'd be right.

"That barn belongs at the Hunt Horse Complex," Rep. Grier Martin said after the meeting. While Rockingham County deserves its horse complex, he said, it shouldn't come at the Hunt Horse Complex's expense.

Martin and Cole left the meeting room and walked back over to the legislative building together. It seemed like they might try to reach some sort of détente.

Cole's take is that Wake County doesn't necessarily need more state investment.

"My question is, what do they need in Raleigh to generate economic development," Cole said. "We've got to rebuild our (Rockingham County's) economy ... All the prosperity in North Carolina is along the interstates."

In the mean time, at least for the moment, Rockingham County and the Triad can claim an odd sort of budget victory in what is definitely an odd sort of budget.

Immediate questions that need answering: What happens to land that the county has already bought for the complex? Will the Cole amendment survive tomorrow's House floor session or will Grier nab the money back? And what will happen when the Senate gets in the picture?