Saying Goodbye to Potomac Horse Center


On May 1, the Potomac Horse Center (PHC) announced that it will close its boarding opera- tions and lesson stable on July 2, 2024. PHC has leased the property from the Maryland- National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion (M-NCPPC) since 1993, but it said that negotiations with M-NCPPC had reached a “tipping point” and the current terms are “unsustainable under current economic condi- tions.” According to its statement, PHC plans to keep teaching lessons through June 16 and on June 17, all assets, including their beloved school horses, will be available for sale. PHC was founded in the late 1950s by F.G.


(Stretch) Harting, Jr. Ever since then PHC has specialized in teaching from the ground up, turning riding newbies into national and inter- national champions. Many students have gradu- ated from their lesson program, instructors pro- gram or attended their camps and horse shows. Since PHC announcement it was closing,


there has been an outpouring of love for PHC, their staff and horses has been great with many sharing their memories on Te Equiery’s Face- book page. Below are just a few of these memo- ries and comments.


Leanne DeNenno – When I was a teenager we traveled from PA because it was one of the first indoor arenas!


Katie Watts - Candy Guyther and I did a week- long summer camp there when we were 15 or 16. I took my horse Trapper. Great experience. www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580


Ginny Howard - Te end of an era.


Amy Pryor - Tat’s where I took lessons, a mil- lion years ago. Sad they are closing.


Sheree Rosenthal Moyer - Heartbreaking! My absolute best childhood memories were formed in that barn. My mom even designed the HM students’ quarters back in the 60s. We spent every free minute at PHC. But, my favorite memory was riding the horses bareback to the lower field for turnout on Sunday nights.


Holly Fletcher Harrington - It’s a blow to the whole horse industry in Montgomery County. Without new riders, the thing we love will fade away and our beautiful open spaces won’t be sustainable. Tis is terrible news.


Phoebe Manders - Very sad! Tis has been a staple in our community for many years.


Claire Lacey - So very sad and a big loss to the community. Tank you PHC for all those years


Vivian Eicke - At this time 50 years ago I was on my Horsemaster course at PHC. I remem- ber riding over the cross country courses, being introduced to dressage under quality instruc- tors. I watched as it shrunk from 1,200 acres to the 40 acres that are left. It breaks my heart to see it go.


Debby Lynn - heartbreaking. I boarded there, worked there, showed there…learned to ride at an establishment in northern Ohio that hired graduates of the PHC back in the 60s when it was a prestigious equine academic school. Tey taught and I learned the BHS way. A treasure lost, although somewhat diminished from its early years, still an invaluable institution.


Kristen Green - Tis makes me incredibly sad. Places like Potomac, Columbia, and Red- demeade are vital in making horseback riding accessible and serve as gateways for the next generation of kids that aren’t born into riding families. Tey are also where many of us first connected with a Toroughbred.


Cindy Fortin - I used to trailer up there once a week for lessons on my horse back in the day. I loved the variety of instructors that came from other countries.


Kim Egan – PHC is where I got back into regular riding after taking time off to go to law school and otherwise become an adult. It was the lesson barn closest to my office in downtown DC. Renee Terselic and her team changed the course of my adult life -- with- out Renee I would never have gotten into fox chasing, and without fox chasing, I would never have gotten back to my eventing roots. Tank you from the bottom of my heart.


THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | JUNE 2024 | 13


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