TheCharmof By Amber Heintzberger
EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITIES
Tere’s something about the equestrian lifestyle that appeals to people, equestrians and non-equestrians alike. Both are thrilled to live close to nature and close to horses, finding it simply good ‘food for the soul.’
tral equestrian center and/or smaller “mini-farms.” Here we will take a look at four equestrian communities to seek the similarities, and the differences, between them. Three Runs Plantation in South Carolina, Portofino in
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North Carolina, The Oaks of Lake City in Florida and Eques- trian Lakes in Kentucky are all examples of this thriving con- cept. All except for Three Runs Plantation feature a common equestrian center and all draw both horse lovers and people who simply enjoy being surrounded by horses. Norwood Thompson, who developed Portofino with his
wife Sandra, says, “We see the barn as an amenity, like some developments include a golf course. Not everyone who lives at Portofino is interested in horses, but maybe they enjoy seeing the horses and it gives them a feeling of living in the country. Sometimes residents stop by the barn just to watch the horses being ridden, and families will bring their chil- dren to the barn to see the horses and feed them carrots.” “Everyone is looking for something unique but the life-
style is the main asset,” explains Brad Dicks, developer and real estate broker for The Oaks of Lake City. “Lake City is right next to Gainesville and nearby there are a lot of people interested in enjoying nature. We have shows and events at the farm, from regional conferences and a national
eal estate developers have long recognized this attraction and thus planned equestrian communities have appeared, typically featuring homes with a cen-
conference for a llama association. You don’t have to be a horse lover; the barn is really an anchor for the community for people who share a common interest.”
Location, Location, Location Typically proximity to a city is a good selling point for equestrian communities, which often attract profession- als who want a convenient commute but enjoy living out- side of the hustle and bustle of city life. That said, there’s a place for everyone, from young families to retirees. Three Runs Plantation is located just outside of charm-
ing Aiken, a small town that attracts horse enthusiasts from around the world for its sandy footing and temper- ate climate. The region offers polo, a steeplechase, major hunter/jumper and dressage shows and numerous horse trials, not to mention a local hunt club and Hitchcock Woods, which has miles of trails open to the public.
Warmbloods Today 57
Photos this page:
threerunsplantation.com
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