The Equine Element: Private Communities with Equestrian Facilities
by Mary Burman, An EquestrianMag Special Feature by Mary Burman

I remember the long, tedious drive from my parents’ home to the barn where my equine pal, Clyde, was boarded.  It was difficult for my busy parents to drive the 30+ miles to the barn on a daily basis, so I didn’t have as much saddle time during early adolescence as I would have liked. A few years later, we moved to an equestrian minded community in Northern Colorado.  My mom smiled as she gazed out the kitchen window at Clyde grazing happily, and I now had access to miles of bridal paths, a common area, and an outdoor arena. I had found my equine element.

It was not only the beautiful natural surroundings and convenient facilities, but also the instant sense of community that attracted my family and many others like us to an equestrian community. The proximity of nearby hunting opportunities and a country club was a huge draw for my father and brother, who would rather ride inside a Mustang than atop one. Although our community didn’t combine the amenities of a fishing club, country club, equestrian center, all on property, many private communities are becoming more all-inclusive in a recreational sense. Most importantly, they are including the equine element along with golf, spa, and other amenities that are compelling city-dwellers to jettison the hustle and bustle and find solitude in these havens for horse lovers. 

Spring Island, a 3,000 acre private island community in the South Carolina low-country, 25 minutes from Hilton Head and Beaufort, is home to a growing equestrian community.  The equestrian center includes a 24 stall barn surrounded by 15 lush grass paddocks.   Board includes care, feed, and blanketing.  Two outdoor arenas can be enjoyed year-round due to the balmy low country climate, one for hunters and jumpers and dressage riders, and the other for beginners and pleasure riders.  Members’ riding styles vary from eventing to western pleasure, with everything in between; however, fox hunting remains the most popular activity.  Spring Island’s award winning Equestrian manager, Melanie Donabedian and her assistant, Britta Blodgett give lessons, maintain and provide club horses for trail rides, and organize events and clinics, such as costumed Halloween rides through the woods, themed picnics on the bonnie shore, and an upcoming eventing clinic with Irish Hunter Jumpers and clinician, Scott Taylor.       

 “There is such a wide variety of involvement and commitment on the island that it allows each person to really make the equestrian center what they want,” Blodgett said,  “We are definitely not about creating a snobbish or elitist atmosphere.  We have champion competitors who ride here every day, and also grand children of members who take lessons for one week out of the summer when they visit.”   

Members can also take advantage of the award winning Arnold Palmer designed 18 hole golf course, phenomenal fishing, the tennis center, spa and fitness classes, a hike led by the naturalist in residence, or a choose from a plethora of other activities. But perhaps the most compelling thing about Spring Island is the idyllic natural setting.  Nearly half of the island’s 3,000 acres is dedicated to nature preserves and open space, owned and managed by the Spring Island Trust, a non-profit entity created to ensure that the land remains protected and untouched.  Equestrians of all ages spend afternoons challenging themselves on the cross-country jumping courses, galloping through open fields, and exploring more than 35 miles of meandering bridal paths that wander through live oak forests and enchanting marsh lands.

Spring Island is only one of many thriving equestrian communities. Others are popping up around the country every year and each seems to offer a little different flavor of the equine element than the next.

Las Campanas -Santa Fe, NM

Amid the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on 4,700 acres dotted with juniper trees lies Las Campanas , a Lyle Anderson master planned community that includes one of the most spectacular equestrian centers in the west.  Facilities include a 90 stall barn, indoor and outdoor arenas, a reining pen, and a regulation dressage court.  With over 300 days of sunshine to enjoy the 68,000 acres of public open space and the backdrop of mountain peaks, Las Campanas is the envy of many horse enthusiasts.

Santa Lucia Preserve -Carmel, CA

Near Carmel by the Sea, the 20,000 acre Santa Lucia Preserve combines expansive natural beauty with an intimate sense of community.  18,000 acres of the preserve are held in trust for recreation, environmental research and wildlife habitat.  The equestrian center is family oriented and includes a 12 stall barn, several sheltered paddocks, two arenas, including a regulation dressage arena, a round pen, and a track.   Again, all forms of riding are accommodated, but here young riders can learn western heritage and the cowboy traditions of trick riding and roping from the expert Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls.

Upland Farm - Minnetrista, MO

Upland Farm is Minnesota’s first master planned equestrian community.  With only 13 home sites, all sharing ownership of the original 171-acre farmstead and state-of-the-art Equestrian Center, it is a very intimate, community-centered development, and a love of horses is the common thread.  Located just 30, minutes from downtown Minneapolis, each estate owner will be deeded two stalls in the new million dollar equestrian center.  The new equestrian center also includes an indoor and outdoor arena. 

There are many things to take into account when selecting a home or a second home, but a private community with an equestrian element provides an instant group of like-minded peers, countless activities, usually a support staff if you need to board your horse, and a happy, healthy environment for horse and rider alike.