Sandhills Equestrian Magazine Sept. 2023

A young rider on the way to the top

Schooling Shows

A great opportunity to compete and have fun

Polocrosse in the Pines

Action, tailgating & champion players right here in NC

Brynn Garrett

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13

6:00 - 10:00 PM

Cocktail Attire $85 single ticket • $150 two tickets

Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Craps, Silent Auction, Raffles and Best Dressed Awards, Hors D’Oeuvres and Open Bar

Village Pine Venue

1628 McCaskill Rd.

Carthage, NC 28327

Shuttle service from Southern Pines to Event provided by Sandhills Trolley Company

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Publisher

Sandhills EQM, LLC

Layout and Design

Sandhills EQM, LLC

Contributors

Ray Owen

Jan Leitschuh

Mary McCashin

Cassidy Oeltjen

Rachel King

Greg Girard

Emily Coleman

Tom Shea

Shawn Mcmillan

Moore County Hist. Assoc.

Lisa Miyamoto

Jason Jackson

Paul Dunn

Cassidy Oeltjen

Ines Ritter

Jennie Acklin

Advertising & Subscriptions

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Cover

Brynn Garrett Photographed by Lisa Miyamoto

Makana Photography

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Hello Sandhills Equestrians!

Welcome to the second issue of our equestrian magazine! This issue is our back to school edition - schooling shows, how-to articles and informational articles so we can all learn something.

Our premiere issue was warmly received by this community - thank you to everyone who picked up a copy. Our publication’s vision of uniting all of the equestrian disciplines and breeds, creating a hub for Sandhills equestrians to stay informed and to gain knowledge is off to a great start.

Sandhills Equestrian Magazine is published monthly in print and digitally on our website. Follow us on our social media pages and enjoy new information. Register for our emails and giveaways at sandhillseqm.com. Please share the news about Sandhills Equestrian Magazine with your fellow equestrians!

Thank you for reading our magazine. Thank you to our advertisers who support our magazine.

Schooling outside the ring! .

Not all riders have access to an arena. Does that mean flatwork and dressage are just not an option? Quite the opposite! Trails and the outdoors offer many great opportunities to train and practice various exercises. And it can also keep your horse from getting bored and sour if they are always working in the arena.

Rachel King

USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, USPC Examiner

Rachel is a Dressage and Eventing Trainer and Coach located in Southern Pines NC. She has evented through the Preliminary Level, is a USPC A graduate and has successfully shown at FEI Grand Prix Dressage on an OTTB.

Trails, dirt roads and easements

Riding on trails or easements is an excellent opportunity to integrate lateral exercises. You can leg yield to

tree, you can gradually spiral in and out with the tree as your reference point. Challenge yourself and see how close to the tree you can get while maintaining a balanced gait in both the walk, trot and canter, or use trees to practice walk and canter pirouettes.

Weaving around multiple trees can help the rider and the horse learn how to change the bend. Going from tree to tree will encourage the horse to focus more—as they don’t know which direction you will turn next— making it hard for them to anticipate and requiring them to pay attention to their rider.

to ride alternating leg-yields between them one day. Then, the next day, I would alternate shoulder-in and haunches-in (switching after each tree). I have also used the trees to ride transitions at each tree to test if my horse was listening, paying attention and reacting to my aids on the spot, much like letters in a dressage arena. Sometimes this also included cantering/flying changes and being sure I could get the lead I requested.

Hills and uneven ground

the left and right, back and forth down the path, ensuring that your horse listens to your leg aids on both sides. You can do the same thing with the shoulder-in and haunches-in.

Practicing this on an easement between horse properties can be especially helpful as the fences can be used as rails and help the rider and horse visually. The easements can be used for some upper-level movements, such as zig-zags, counting strides and judging your distance and stride length. If pasture fences are not available or if you want the challenge of doing the exercises without the fence, you can use the edge of the path or dirt road as the “rail” of your arena to mimic the long side of the ring.

Trees and other obstacles

Trees make good obstacles to help teach your horse how to bend better, giving the rider a helpful visual. If you have a lot of room around the

One of my favorite places to practice was an area with a mostly straight line of trees. These trees allowed me

Hills are great for building strength and conditioning, as well as testing a horse’s balance and riding on uneven terrain. Mixed footing will improve your horse’s proprioception. Many riders believe that roots and uneven ground are an issue and can make a horse trip and get them injured. The truth, however, is that horses use the feedback they get from walking on uneven and different surfaces to improve their proprioception and therefore their overall balance and coordination. Over time, they become more secure in their steps and more confident as they navigate different types of footing and learn to recover quicker in case they trip.

Integrating hills in the horses’ training has many benefits no matter what stage of training your horse is in.

Do what?

It is also helpful in conditioning their tendons and their ligaments. Hill work can be a great tool for transitions within the gait. I like to ask my horse to go slower or more collected going downhill and then ask my horse to take a bigger step or lengthen a little as they go up the hill. Even at the walk, asking the horse to stretch down with their neck and actively march up the hill is a helpful tool and easy on their legs. Similar to Cavaletti work (which strengthens the thoracic sling and is responsible for much of vertical and horizontal balance in the horse), hill work in any gait is a valuable tool to build a horse’s topline, improve their balance and help with issues such as weak stifles or a tense back.

Open fields

Large, flat, open areas are great for training horses for many reasons. Horses tend to be more forward out of the arena and out in the open or on trails. If you have a horse who is a bit behind the leg, you can use this extra energy to your advantage. Harness that energy and practice transitions and lengthenings at the trot and canter. Large fields can also be helpful for any exercise requiring more space than a 20-meter circle, such as cantering an unbalanced or young horse.

Water

Riding out on trails and in the woods can offer the opportunity to cross water, such as creeks and puddles. Being able to ride through and expose a horse to water is essential. Show horses of any kind should not be phased by a puddle in the show ring, nor should any horse show adverse behavior when suddenly encountering water. I like to practice going through the water while out on the trail as much as possible, as it is an excellent opportunity to get the horses used to it without any pressure.

Crossing puddles without hesitation should be part of any horses training.

Training outside the ring is great for any discipline of riding.

The Hunter Trial Field in Southern Pines NC, offers a great opportunity to train on hills and with natural obstacles.

Colic Season! Fall Management for Feeding Equines

As the days become shorter this fall, managing equine nutrition becomes trickier. Mysterious colic, deaths, chokes and loss in weight can happen on beautiful Carolina fall days. So, how do we stop these unnecessary vet bills? The solution is a lot easier than you think.

Agood fall day may begin with a temperature of 35 F and climb into the 70s by the afternoon. If a horse eats breakfast at 7:00 a.m., he may be rolling on the ground in pain at 3:00 p.m. The previous morning may have been 52 F, and that 17-degree difference at the previous breakfast time will cause the horse to not drink water. I have seen this scenario happen numerous times every November in my 40-plus years.

I have produced horse feed for seven veterinarians over the years.

Paul G. Dunn Manager at Mule

City

Without exception, they all wanted extra salt in their custom feeds. What do they know that others do not? The solution is to add 1 tablespoon of table salt to your horse’s feed the night before a colder morning. This will encourage the horse to drink extra water at night so that it is hydrated for the next morning’s feeding. If you put too much salt in the feed, the horse will not eat it, so be sure to correctly measure the salt you are adding. (Salt blocks make great paperweights!)

If you are feeding a pelleted-only

Specialty Feeds, Benson NC.

Paul has a B.S. in Animal Science from N.C. State University and has 42 years of experience being responsible for custom and commercial nutrition of approximately 5,000 equines in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

mix, consider changing to a mix that contains 20 percent crimped grain or beet pulp shreds (not pelleted beet pulp). This will encourage a horse to slowly chew his food versus shoveling the feed, which will help to prevent choking.

Contamination

Contaminated feed can also lead to unnecessary vet bills. Food can become contaminated by water, rodents, insects, mold, etc., at any

Greystone Farm

time. Not only can rain affect feed and hay if they’re not properly stored but also condensation can develop from drastic changes in temperature on fall days causing mold to develop. Rodents and insects will begin to look for warmer shelter among feed and hay storage, leaving behind their excretions. Smell and visually inspect any feed and forage before feeding it to your horse to ensure that it is safe. Watch your horse eat and if they are not eating their feed take it away and inspect it for any quality issues.

I hope these tips will help you enjoy this fall with your healthy equine partner!

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TACK TRUNK

Product of the month!

The Kroop’s Sunglasses for riders quickly became our favorite! The stylish lightweight riding sunglasses fit perfectly under your riding helmet, without interfering and getting in the way. The non-slip nose pieces make them stay in place and even when posting or when jumping. We took them out and about, had different riders wear them and the results were all the same ... Big thumbs up. Kroop’s riders sunglasses come in many different styles and color variations including the lenses. What makes them even more special, they are made right here in North Carolina!

Visit their website at www.kroops.com

What is a Fluff monkey you wonder?

It’s a fun and great way to do the following:

• Buff your riding boots

• Buff your saddle

• Accessorize your backpack

• Attach to your hair

• Trade with friends

Each Fluff Monkey is handmade, ruggedly crafted, and ready to use immediately.

So, you need a new saddlenow what?

It is arguably one of the worst fears among equestrians to be told our saddle does not fit. Some would rather have a root canal without anesthesia than have to find a new saddle. The process of finding the correct saddle can be overwhelming with the number of brands on the market. So how do we navigate this challenging endeavor? Whether you are shopping new or second-hand, understanding the saddle industry is beneficial to the shopping process.

Saddle shopping can be frustrating and confusing because every manufacturer on the market is trying to solve the same problem. Additionally, this is an industry that has no regulations or protections for the end users, so we are faced with an overwhelming variety of products with the same use while manufacturers are all loudly fighting to be better than the other guy.

Did you ever wonder how your horse is narrow in one brand and wide in another? This is because saddle makers all have their own patterns for saddle design. Saddles are like jeans— in some brands, you may need to go up or down a size to find the right fit while other brands won’t fit no matter the size. When each manufacturer has their own designs to solve a specific fitting issue, there is no universal sizing system that sizes a horse to be “X” tree size and a rider to be “Y” seat size. Saddle fitting is about matching shapes, so be open to testing a different seat size, or a different block shape, angle or size to find the right fit.

Another important part of saddle shopping is understanding the materials used in saddle design. Material performance is key in deciding what is best for the health and well-being of your horse. Not all saddle materials perform the same way nor are they designed for all back

shapes or disciplines. Some internet sleuthing on a saddle company’s web page can help you determine what kinds of materials a saddler uses before contemplating a purchase. For instance, some manufacturers choose a carbon fiber tree over a laminated beechwood, wool-flocked panels or foam, and still others use air panels. While each material was chosen with intention, the performance and function of the materials should both be considered for the longevity of a saddle.

A well-fit saddle for horse and rider is nonnegotiable in my opinion, and I do not recommend anyone investing in a saddle that does not work equally for both. A saddle is a big investment to make such a concession when there are so many options. In my personal and professional experience, the right saddle feels like home and will open doors to all your goals.

Janell Cameron

Certified Saddle Fitter

Janell Cameron is a certified Master Saddler’s Saddle Fitter working in North Carolina since 2014. Janell enjoys her horse Rookie, and travels to the Sandhills region frequently.

Weymouth Equestrians

Putting the “WE” in Weymouth Center

by Ray Owen

Weymouth Equestrians (WE) is a new program at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Offered in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills, this free afterschool program provides experiences for underserved teens at Weymouth’s horse facility. Eliminating the cost barrier makes such activities accessible for all young people, as Weymouth seeks to reinvent its purpose to serve the community with relevance and inclusion while celebrating its equestrian heritage.

The program consists of fall and spring sessions over the course of the school year, two or three days a week and three hours a day. The children learn all aspects of horse care: grooming, feeding, vet and farrier visits, caring for a barn and cleaning tack and horse safety. As much as anything, they get to have fun while

acquiring life skills. Weymouth handles liability and safety requirements and provides all necessary resources.

The Boys & Girls Club provides transportation from its central Southern Pines location. The kids finish their homework at the club, grab a hot meal, then head for the newly remodeled barn at Weymouth. “We’re always looking for new ways to assist our members to learn and grow while having fun,” says Steve Kastner, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club. “The relationship with Weymouth provides an excellent opportunity to introduce equestrian skills. Our services promote and enhance the development of children by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.”

The program was sparked by Ashley Van Camp, a Southern Pines native who grew up riding. She is a Weymouth trustee and chef/owner at Ashten’s

Restaurant. Van Camp understood both the benefits and challenges of the equestrian world. Her dream was to create a sustainable program that would operate from the center’s historic barn. She found support through the Weymouth board and community, and her dream has come to life.

The story of Weymouth and its equestrian heritage is widely known. The center is the former home of writer James Boyd and his wife Katherine, and it was a gathering place for nationally prominent authors in the 1920s and 30s. The Boyd family founded the Moore County Hounds in the winter of 1914, insisting that the sport should belong to the town. So, in the early days, anyone who wished to hunt was invited to join, proper dress or not, including farmers in bib overalls riding horses more accustomed to plowing than jumping fences.

Kelly Dobert is the director of Weymouth Equestrians and her expertise and leadership have put the program on solid footing to provide a positive learning experience. She aims to teach kids responsibility alongside half-ton teachers: two older equines, one 25 and the other 31.

“Horsemanship is not just riding, it involves teamwork and accountability,” she says. “I love that the kids are so open to learning. Most of them are 11 and their lives are ahead of them. This opportunity helps them make informed decisions moving forward.”

“I started with horses around 40 years ago and I was in a free lunch program as a kid. I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum. To be able to give back and to see the kids blossom is so very gratifying. I’m looking forward to having the kids learn about carriage driving, fox hunting, show jumpers, cowboys, reining, team penning and obstacle challenges—all kinds of disciplines—to expose them so that they know what’s out there.” In addition to basic care of horses, a program goal is for participants to learn

how a horse’s mind works. “I educate the kids about the fact that they’re prey animals,” says Dobert. “They have eyes on the side of their heads and look at them from two separate directions. This is an important first step in helping the kids understand how a horse might react when approached.

“I let them know that the horse very much tries to match our breathing. They’re very good that way. If we are hyper and anxious, then the horse thinks there’s something wrong and they have to match our breath. But if we relax, take a deep breath and calm ourselves down, the horse calms down as well.”

Dobert hopes that lessons learned will bolster confidence and self-esteem. “In the end, it’s all about changing lives and helping to provide great futures,” she says. “We’ve had a great deal of help from the community—financial and in-kind donations of supplies. We welcome donated funds, goods and volunteers. Weymouth Equestrians counts on community support.”

Four Ways to Support

Weymouth Equestrians

1.

Donations of safe and useable tack and barn supplies can be dropped off at the Weymouth Barn, 555 East Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address.

2.

Monetary donations can be made online at weymouthcenter.org. Please MAKE SURE you write Weymouth Equestrians in the memo line.

3.

Monetary donations by check can be mailed to Weymouth Center, 555 E. Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines, NC, 28387. Again, please MAKE SURE to write Weymouth Equestrians in the memo line.

4.

Volunteer days at the Weymouth Barn. Volunteers are asked to come to the barn anytime between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 and Oct. 26. A light dinner will be served to all volunteers at 6:30 p.m.

From the leftKelly Dobert, Ashley VanCamp Katie Wyatt (Executive Director)

Part two: Trees. Shade or shady?

No matter the season, trees can provide a wonderful backdrop to any ride. But the beauty of a tree-shaded trail or the rustling of tree leaves in a pasture can also present some dangers to a horse. Some varieties can cause health issues in horses and may even be fatal if their leaves or fruits are ingested. The second part of our Series will take a closer look into what trees may be a hazzard ard and how to protect your horses from potential harm.

Black cherry, chokecherry and fire cherry

also encompasses peach and plum trees. The leaves, bark and pits of cherry trees contain the toxin cyanide, which can be deadly if ingested in large enough quantities. For this reason, many experts recommend removing cherry trees from horse areas altogether.

a professional tree service to eliminate the risk of cyanide poisoning, which in the most severe cases can result in death when ingested. Your horses will thank you for it.

These trees, for instance, all belong to the esteemed Prunus family, which

While it may be tempting to simply fence off the trees or try to keep horses away from them, this is not a foolproof solution. Horses are curious animals and may still find a way to access the trees, putting themselves at risk. If you have cherry trees in your horse’s pasture or turnout area, it is important to take action to protect your animals. Consider having the trees removed by

Tom Shea

It is important to note that horses usually only resort to munching on leaves if they are feeling hungry or bored. Horses have a discerning palate and prefer to graze on grass and hay, but if they are not getting enough sustenance or stimulation, they may turn to the leaves of nearby trees. So, if you see a horse nibbling on some foliage, it might be time to check their diet and ensure they get the proper nutrition and mental stimulation they need.

continued on p.19

Extension Agent, Agriculture - Livestock, Field Crops, Moore County. Tom comes from a background in small ruminants and beef cattle focusing on pasture management and sustainability. He is also an avid horseman, specializing in moving livestock on horseback and practices roping .

While oak trees are known for their majestic beauty and are a staple in many landscapes, they also produce toxins tannins and gallotannins. These toxins can seriously affect your horse’s health, particularly when ingested in large amounts. One of the most concerning effects of oak toxins is the damage they can cause on the kidneys, potentially leading to a range of other health problems. Additionally, oak toxins can cause impaction colic, a condition that can be extremely painful and even life-threatening for your horse.

To protect your horse from the dangers of oak toxins, be vigilant about their environment. Keep an eye out for oak trees in your horse’s pasture or grazing areas, and take steps to prevent your horse from ingesting any oak leaves or acorns. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure your horse stays healthy and happy for years to come. Just like cherry tree leaves, horses have a selective palate when it comes to acorns. Most horses tend to munch on acorns only when they feel peckish or need a distraction from their mundane routine.

a toxin that can cause serious health problems—including damage to their red blood cells—and even death, in horses, cows and other grazing animals. The best way to prevent poisoning from red maple leaves is to remove the trees from pasture areas altogether. This may seem like a

drastic step, but it is the most effective way to ensure the safety of your animals. If removing the trees is not an option, it is important to keep a close eye on your animals and remove any fallen leaves from their grazing areas. The leaves become toxic when they are damaged or begin to wilt. You will notice the edge of the leaves become red or yellow in the fall. The underside of the leaf will have a silver sheen. Symptoms occur when horses consume leaves or bark from the red maple tree. One of the most common symptoms of red maple poisoning is lethargy. If your horse seems unusually tired or sluggish, it could be a sign that something is wrong. It is common for symptoms to remain undetected for up to four days.

Keep an eye out for oak trees in your horse’s pasture or grazing areas, and take steps to prevent your horse from ingesting any oak leaves or acorns.

Black walnut

Know the Symptoms in your horse!

Lack of coordination

Agitation

Labored breathing

Salivation

Urination

Defecation

Body trembles or shaking

Dilated pupils

Death

The primary danger of black walnut trees is not from being consumed but rather from shavings containing black walnut wood. Even the tiniest traces of black walnut shavings may cause laminitis. Like with the other trees, removal is the best option, but be sure to minimize any traces of the black walnut tree left on the soil after removing it. Walnuts, if left to sit on the ground, can quickly become moldy, posing potential health problems for our equine companions, especially horses with limited grazing or bored horses. Mold, a common occurrence in damp environments, can produce toxins that are harmful when ingested. To safeguard our horses, it is essential to promptly remove any fallen walnuts from their grazing areas.

If

Loss of appetite

Excess salivation

Foaming at mouth

Blood in urine or manure

Frequent urination

Manure dark in color

Constipation leading to diarrhea

Colic-type pain

Slow or irregular heart rate

Depression

Lack of appetite

Lethargy

Weakness

Colic

Fever

Abdominal discomfort

Blue, yellow or brown mucous membranes

Loss of appetite

Lethargy

Colic

Diarrhea

Elevated temperature

Pale mucous membranes

Mouth sores

Watery eyes

Malaise

Depression

Edema in the neck and abdomen

Liver and kidney failure

Respiratory distress

Dark red to brown urine

laminitis

Labored breathing

Unable to rise

Increased heart rate

Increased respiratory rates

Abortion in mares

Kidney failure

Sudden death

Laminitis

Jaundice

If you suspect that your horse may have ingested or come in contact with any toxic plants or bark, it is important to seek veterinary care right away.

From ponies & tricks to Championships

Brynn Garrett’s successful riding career is just getting started

by Ray Owen Photos: Lisa Miyamoto

Brynn Garrett, an 11-year-old being raised on Windsor Farm in Linden, North Carolina, was born to ride. Established by her family in 1992, the farm is a Saddlebred breeding, sales and training facility that spans more than 200 acres. The daughter of Taryn and Brian Garrett, a secondgeneration equine veterinarian, Brynn is poised and mature beyond her years. Growing up like she did, she was comfortable at shows from the start. She watched her mom compete and observed her family’s horses with trainers, so the horse world has always been a natural environment for her.

Calling Brynn upand-coming might be an understatement in light of her winnings this season: JD Massey

Classic (Clemson, SC) AHHS Youth

Medallion Road

Pony Under Saddle Champion (April 2023); Bonnie Blue

National (Lexington, VA) Road Pony

Under Saddle

Grand Champion (May 2023); Devon National Horse Show

(Devon, PA) Road Pony Under Saddle Grand Champion (June 2023); and Asheville (Asheville, NC) AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony Under Saddle Grand Champion (July 2023).

The young champion was a tour de force at Devon this past June with her pony, Heartland Janie, winning $250 in the Roadster Pony Under Saddle class, claiming top prize the following day with a $500 win in the Roadster Pony Under Saddle Championship. “I compete, win prizes and money,”

she says. “One time, I got cash when I came out of the ring and that felt really good.”

Her equestrian interests are diverse, mostly hunter ponies, and she launched her riding career with numerous wins. In August 2021, as an 8-year-old, she tackled her initial USEF Pony Finals as one of the youngest competitors in the country. In preparation for the Pony Finals, she participated in her first Pony Derby at Tryon in the Small Green Pony Hunters, showing against much older children in May 2021.

Among her earliest memories are of her pony Mini Boy. “My mom got him when she was pregnant with me,” says Brynn in the sweetest voice. “He’s an 11-year-old, dark bay miniature. I started riding him when I was 2 and jumping when I was 4. Mini Boy can jump very high, jumps in hand with you, and can drive. I love him and he loves me.”

Pony Finals 2023, Brynn Garrett and Odyssey Cassiopeia showing in the Small Pony division. Photo: Shawn Mcmillan.

They did everything together from the time she could walk, so she truly grew up with Mini Boy. When Brynn’s family bought him, he was a feral little thing that hadn’t been handled. So, her mother took him everywhere and got him used to the world. Following her mother’s lead, Brynn helped put a saddle on the mini for the first time and was the first to ride. She’d hold him for the farrier, feed and groom him. Truly dedicated, one time he had this really bad eye injury and she had to treat him every two to three hours.

Now, her 6-year-old sister, Brystol, gets to enjoy all the effort she put into the making of this perfectly trained miniature. “My sister takes him to horse shows and rides around for fun,” she says. “Brystol loves ponies just like me. I helped teach her and she rides almost as good as me.”

Having a miniature horse helped Brynn and her sister understand the importance of knowing where your feet are, paying attention to the horse’s ears and so on. The children are very safety-conscious and they learned a lot by watching their parents. They wear helmets and vests whenever they ride—they always have and always will.

Many of Brynn’s friends are equestrians and a bit older, and this is true for so many beginners. Much of what she’s about is taking care of horses, grooming or playing with them. “I ride every day,” she explains. “We have a lot of hunter show ponies at home. My mom taught me how to train them and I trained my pony. It’s long days and hard work, but working with my family is what I really enjoy doing.”

Brynn’s mom, Taryn, shows hunter/ jumpers. She’s from Austin, Texas, and studied equine business at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, North Carolina. She met her husband, Brian, while in graduate school at East

farm and horses encompass their life. Their Windsor Farm, dedicated to producing top-quality horses, gave Brynn the perfect start—fortifying her work ethic and love of the sport.

“The first thing, Brynn needs to get a job to afford all this,” says Taryn. “To keep the cost down we do all the work ourselves, basically at home. Brynn helps pack the trailer for shows, cleans tack and stalls, helps unbraid the horses, gives them baths, and she’s up with me at 4 a.m. to feed. It’s very important for me to teach my kids to do all of it.”

“I didn’t have all the opportunities that Brynn has,” Taryn continues. “My parents were not horse people. I went to a horse camp for one week and became absolutely obsessed. My parents thought I’d move on, but I wouldn’t stop talking about it. The barn had a pony for sale, so I begged my mom and she sold her life insurance to buy the pony. It turned out to be an awful pony, it cribbed, but I couldn’t have been happier. I had to

saddle, my parents would pay half and I had to figure out how to pay for the other half.”

It was different for Brynn’s father, Brian, who grew up with horses. He began riding at the age of 4 and his first class was at age 5. He won at shows across the country with a half-Hackney and half-American Saddlebred pony named Ever N Ever, with the pair beating even the best five-gaited ponies in the industry.

“Last Christmas, we bought Brynn Heartland Janie,” says Taryn. “My husband bought her as a surprise. Brynn just got on and off they went. It’s a whole new discipline but it was like she’d been doing it her whole life. She’s shown four times and won every time. She went to Devon and you have to qualify to go, so it’s a huge deal. It just came out of nowhere, this whole other show focus. It’s so new for us.”

“The pony stays in Charlotte because that’s where she was with the trainer before we brought her. We decided

Brynne and Roadster

Pony Heartland Janie at the Bonnie Blue National

Photo SCB photography

to leave her with the same people because she’s happy there and the old owners are at that barn. I can’t get Brynn over there a lot because we have the farm here with all the horses. So, I’ll take her this weekend to ride before the next horse show.”

As for her future, it’s hard to imagine Brynn doing anything that doesn’t involve horses. Maybe she’ll be a veterinarian like her dad, run a farm or be a professional rider—the sky’s the limit. Without a doubt, she is someone to be watched.

Right: Brynn Garrett on her Hunter pony Odyssey Cassiopeia who was bred by local Welsh Pony Breeder Deborah Branson.

Bottom: Brynn and her younger sister Brystol training Mini Boy.

Much more than just a school horse

by Emily Coleman

We all have a special place in our hearts for that one school horse. The one that taught us valuable lessons. I’m a timid once-a-week lesson rider. I enjoy watching others have fun with their horses. Now I’m having fun with Ellie, my favorite school horse.

Eleventh Hour, Eleanor, Ellie, Smelly, Ellie Belly—she’s had many names. She’s a big bay mare with a kind eye. Most importantly, she gives me confidence. Caitlin Romeo’s instruction and Ellie’s school horse quirks have transformed me.

At first, I found Ellie intimidating. She’s bigger and has more suspension than any previous horse I’ve been on. Rewind to when I was a dumb teenager, I had a scary fall while cantering. The baggage and fear still haunt me. Fast forward to the present day and Caitlin restarted me from the beginning.

I find it hard getting Ellie to move forward, in front of my leg. Just go forward. Go. Forward. GO! “Trot now Emily,” Caitlin often said. But that is when anxiety would take over. My brain would think, “kick her,” but my body wouldn’t respond. I would awkwardly kick and try not to pull back on the reins at the same time. Ellie would graciously pick up a trot and Caitlin would praise me with “Good ride, Emily.”

Caitlin’s methodical teaching gives me a strong base to stand on. We started cantering on the lunge. I sat there like a blob while Caitlin gave directions. The anxiety still made it hard to follow the movement of the horse. Like all good school horses, Ellie isn’t perfect. Her canter can be compared to a washing

machine—especially with a nervous, unbalanced rider that can’t support her.

Caitlin also gave me mantras to combat the cantering anxiety. “Legs, seat, hands” and “Look at me”, and “Butt down, chest up” are some of them. Eventually, they clicked, and I started riding. Every single transition increased my bravery. Every single time I master a skill, Ellie pushes me to the next one. I never feel ready for the next step. Caitlin and Ellie intuitively know when it’s time.

All too fast, I was off the lunge and attempting 20-meter circles on my own. Boy, it’s harder when you must steer and not grip with your thigh and look where you’re going. Yup, all the basic skills. I loved to grip with my thigh. We call it my emergency brake!

Ellie is smart and knows listening to the emergency brake means less work for her. There was a rough patch where I would ask for a canter, put on the emergency brake, she would trot, and the anxiety spiked. I was weak and all the transitions threw me around.

Growth is paired with accomplishment. Riding once a week can make improving slow, but it can also snowball, increasing quickly. Soon we weren’t counting canter strides or circles. We were just cantering! After one fantastic lesson I celebrated, “I’m the bestest scaredy cat adult amateur!” Ellie has fixed my fear! I still get nervous but Ellie has my back.

At a War Horse Event, cheering for a friend, I was reminded that I want to event. I never got a

chance as a kid. Setting goals isn’t one of my strong points. The War Horse Event Series seemed obtainable because I am mentally and physically stronger now. It became easy to envision Ellie and I trotting around in a USEA starter dressage test, so we went for it. It was exciting to have friends cheer for me. Ellie was wonderful. She’s a wise school horse and is the partner I need. And, bonus! Ellie likes me as much as I like her.

The judges’ comments were amusing. They caught all of Ellie’s shortcomings. Bending to the right is hard. Sometimes her free walk becomes lateral. She can be hard to pick back up and I always miss the center line.

On paper, it was a disaster! I had errors in both tests. Ellie resembled a giraffe for our trot circles. Her canter was lateral, counter bent and had multiple wrong leads. Ellie’s school horse imperfections were on display but no matter what, Ellie’s still the wise school horse and the partner I need. And it was still a triumphant moment coming home with a blue and red ribbon. I was hooked and wanted to do it again.

The “terrible” tests are my best accomplishments. I wasn’t nervous. I stuck to Caitlin’s plan. I did get her in front of my leg. Truthfully, Ellie’s style meant cantering most of my

trot circle. I heard Caitlin’s mantra of “Just ride, Emily.” I rode with determination and Ellie gave me her absolute best.

We’re taking the summer off from showing, but I can’t wait to get back out there. Maybe we will ride a combined test next year. Ellie Belly is consistently imperfect. But flaws and all, she’s my perfect school horse and my best friend. Cheers to all the school horses helping students learn, meet their goals and so much more.

Emily & Ellie

The Sandhill’s Schooling Show Evolution

by Cassidy Oeltjen

The abundance of schooling shows in the Sandhills is one of the horsing world’s worst-kept secrets. With prime opportunities to develop horses and riders alike, competitors from around the country have been trekking to the area for decades, many making it their permanent home.

Gone (mostly) are the days of being able to hack through the Foundation to a show, and some of the facilities of yesteryear now sport new development among the shadows of overgrown bank complexes. But the need for schooling shows has not diminished.

Maybe it’s a green horse needing to test its show legs off property or an inexperienced rider needing to learn the path through show nerves. Maybe it’s an experienced pair who need to warm up before their season kicks off or, perhaps, they need to try a new equipment setup before setting out on a recognized course.

The strong schooling show contingent in the area is largely regulated by one of the largest group member

organizations (GMO) in the country— the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association (NCDCTA). This means that, while some of the rules may not be adhered to (like attire), the show will still be run under the guidance of a governing organization. This allows all competitors to be judged by licensed judges and gives riders the option to pick and choose which show might be best for their situation—from superbeginner friendly to the standards of nationally recognized competitions (without the additional costs associated

with recognized shows). The last decade has seen a huge evolution in the schooling show calendar. Popular locations, like the pleasant parking under the pecans at Foxtrack Training Center and the traditional courses of Tamarack, leave only the memories of galloping around the unique facilities. But new facilities and management have resulted in fresh competition opportunities, and the abundance of enthusiasm shown by Sandhills residents means that the established shows are thriving and the emerging shows are building a strong base of support.

Some of the calendar’s transformation can be attributed to the popular War Horse Event Series (WHES) at the Carolina Horse Park (CHP).

The series began as multiple schooling shows taking place throughout the year, focusing on the lower levels of the sport. Nine years ago, organizers developed the starter shows into a cumulative series with big prizes, big prize money and

a big show feel. The series finale features thousands of dollars in prize money and literal bucketloads of prizes. Top finishers regularly have to use wheelbarrows to transport their winnings.

The series frequently draws 300-plus horses from several states, sells out stabling within days of entries opening, and has expanded to running two show jumping rings, and two cross-country courses (concurrently) to get every competitor completed before sundown. The organizers are even expanding the concept, partnering with Feather Creek Farm in Oklahoma to bring the success of the series to their two events.

While the hustle and high energy of WHES may not suit every horse and rider, there are plenty of other nearby competitions.

Nearly walking distance from CHP is the wonderfully quaint Heather Ridge Farm, home to the accomplished horsewomen and mother/daughter duo, Kris Hamilton and Heather Boyer. Competing at Heather Ridge feels like a Thanksgiving dinner of close horse friends that happens to

include dressage, jumping, and possibly a rescue animal to pass on the way to the competition ring.

Heather Ridge is home to the wildly popular Picnics and Ponies Series of schooling shows. Most of them take place midweek and feature Western dressage, traditional dressage, combined tests and full events. There are even options for bareback and classes where riders can have leads, assistance and other kinds of creative help.

“We want people to figure out how to enter a show, learn what times are, and even if it’s not your day, we have a Whoopsie Award [for those unplanned dismounts],” says Boyer. “We have classes for those getting their toes wet and, if you don’t see what you are looking for, we will try and make a class for you. We want memories to be made and knowledge to be shared.”

Just a breath further from CHP are the Sandhill’s starter shows at Rollins

The Heather Ridge “Whoopsie Ribbon”

One on one with the judge. Schooling shows can provide valuable feedback in preparation for rated shows in a less stressful environment

Grove. The shows are managed by Carrie Everhart who relocated to the area after years of producing successful schooling competitions in Eastern North Carolina. This series allows green competitors to experience a variety of competition disciplines from eventing to Western in a low-key and low-pressure atmosphere.

Whitney Weston, who owns and runs Valkyrie Sporthorses, a riding school in the area, uses the series to expose her young students to the competition ring. “We coach students for the first time up to seasoned competitors going towards national awards,” she says. “We love Carrie’s [starter series] shows for those looking to dip toes in for the first time in a simple and fun format.”

Closer to the Foundation are two events reminiscent of old-school Sandhills: Buckhorn and Moonslip Farm.

Bridget Gibbons, owner of Buckhorn Farm, says she has felt the love of the Sandhills since relocating. “Having horse shows in the Sandhills is very satisfying because the community is so supportive,” she says. “The local shows that we do at Buckhorn Farm rely heavily on volunteers and we can’t say enough how much we appreciate them.”

HEATHER RIDGE FARM

2023 Recognized

Wednesday September 13

NCDCTA Recognized

Saturday October 28

Buckhorn Farm relocated its operation from the Triangle area down to Youngs Road, bringing with it a successful dressage and combined training schooling show series. These shows are bustling with two dressage rings, a grass show jumping ring and the convenience of a local food truck serving up lunch. They feature courses that reward forward riding and yearend awards that recognize consistent competitors. Heather

NCDCTA Recognized

Wednesday November 22 (HRF Championship Show)

2024 HRF Picnics & Ponies Show Series

Saturday December 16

Memories in the making! Celebrating a completed Century ride at the Buckhorn Schooling Show

Sun Bleached Coat, Rubbed Tail, Missing Mane!

Tips to keep your summer worn horse show ready!

Trying to keep your horses looking their best during the summer months can be a huge struggle. Some horses, however, make it much more difficult if they are prone to things such as rubbing out their manes and tails or getting a sun-bleached coat.

If you are someone who likes to take their horse to shows in the summer, dealing with these issues is an added element to what can already be a stressful time.

Although we can’t always solve these issues, with a little prevention and

innovation, we can ensure that our horses are looking their best when all eyes are on them.

The most important thing when it comes to a horse’s coat looking its best is to start by preventing them from becoming sun-bleached in the first place. While this is not always possible, there are several things that you can start with to help keep their coats looking shiny and dark.

Sweat is enemy number one to bleaching a horse’s coat. Always make sure that after a ride or anytime they

Christina Curiale

FEI Groom

sweat that you are rinsing all of the sweat out of their coats, paying very close attention to their faces and the top of their heads. If your horse is not very hot or sweaty, maybe just a little cleaning where the tack was sitting will be sufficient. Rubbing alcohol or witch hazel is an excellent option to help break down the sweat before grooming. Just spray a little into their coat, rub it in well with a towel and allow it to dry before currying.

Adjusting your horse’s turnout schedule in the summer isn’t possible for every horse but may be the best

Christina is the groom to 5* eventer Will Faudree. She grew up in British Columbia, Canada and moved to Southern Pines in 2012. Christina has travelled the world with Will Faudree and his Eventing horses keeping his horses show ready for many National and International competitions

option for preventing coat bleaching. Keeping your horse in and under a fan during the day will not only prevent them from sweating but help keep them looking their best. A lightcolored sheet, such as a fly sheet, is also a great idea if your horse can’t be kept out of the sun all day.

Sometimes, you can do all of these things and your horse may still end up bleaching out during the hot summer months. While there are not many options once bleaching has occurred, there are products, such as Exhibitor’s Quick Black or Quick Color, which can help enhance your horse’s natural color.

After ensuring that our horse’s coat is looking its best, the next issue to focus on is the condition of their manes and tails. For some, having to worry about braiding can be stressful enough if your horse hasn’t rubbed out part of their mane or tail. If they are missing hair, it can sometimes feel impossible to turn them out the way you want but there are a few things you can do to have them looking in tip-top shape.

If you have a very important show in the future, allowing the hair to grow back and not worrying about braiding is the best option. If there is just a small portion of thinning hair at the

base of their mane, it is usually best to avoid braiding so that you are not pulling out any extra hair. If this is not an option, braiding the thinning hair at the last moment and only leaving it in as long as is needed is your second best choice.

The longer the braids are in, the more opportunity there is for more hair loss. If you must braid your horse in advance, only braid the part of the mane that is the fullest and not rubbed out. A horse that is prone to rubbing its mane or tail will only become itchier the longer the braids stay in. So, if your horse is prone to rubbing, don’t leave them braided overnight.

There are lots of products to help combat itching and rubbing manes and tails. Things like having a good deworming program and always ensuring all soap is thoroughly washed out when bathing are very good places to start. A product such as MTG can also help relieve some itching and encourage hair growth when used regularly.

Dealing with summer skin and coat issues for our horses can be a huge pain, but there are options to help them feel and look their best when we are taking them to a show. With a little work and elbow grease, any horse can show up sparkling on show day!

Polocrosse in the Pines

by Mary McCashin

There’s not a soul that doesn’t love the infamous Pretty Woman scene of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere “stomping the divots” as they laugh. On Sept. 16, 2023, Polocrosse in the Pines will allow local equestrians to participate in such an event at The Pinehurst Harness Track.

Photos: Jason Jackson

This fundraising event will be taking place as the players come together from across the country to practice for the 2024 Polocrosse World Cup, which will be held in South Africa next July. The event not only benefits the USA World Cup Polocrosse Team, but also The O’Neal School. The captain of the women’s team, Kat Liner, attended The O’Neal School, so it only seemed fitting to involve their Parents’ Association in the benefit. The president of the O’Neal Parents’ Association is Christina Baker, who is also a local equestrian and involved with the Carolina Polocrosse Club.

The World Cup team was already scheduled to convene in Pinehurst to practice in September, so several equestrians, including Baker and Liner, decided to turn the event into a fundraiser.

“Tailgating is huge down here—they are events that people go all out for. We took the idea from our Blessing of the Hounds event in November. We’d sell tailgating spots and let the social aspect take a prominent role.”

As of August, three of the four team sponsors have been locked in, and organizers are considering renting bleachers for the growing ticket sales.

“Polocrosse is pretty popular in our area. All equestrians, whether they

ride hunters or fox hunt or whatever, enjoy supporting other equestrian activities and endeavors. It allows that community to come together for a good cause.”

So what exactly is polocrosse? In 1938, polocrosse was developed in Sydney, Australia, by Edward and Marjory Hirst. The sport was inspired by an old polo exercise in England, which they learned from an article titled Polo La Crosse. Later, in 1939, Alf Pitty demonstrated the sport at the Ingleburn Sports Ground in Sydney.

Polocrosse is a ball sport played on horseback with a racket similar to a lacrosse stick and a soft rubber ball about four inches in diameter. Most polocrosse events are played tournament style. At the highest levels, the teams are divided into men’s

goalpost of the opposing team. At the end of the match, the team with the larger number of strikes wins. While achieving this, the players must stay outside a semicircle, marked on the center of the post with a diameter of 10 meters. Unlike polo, players are only allowed one horse unless there is an injury. All breeds are welcome, although horses normally remain under 16 hands in size (a hand being equivalent to four inches). All the players are required to wear helmets during play to ensure safety and are also required to use coronet boots and protective bandages for their horses.

and women’s teams, although most tournaments play with an “open” format where teams can be made up of both men and women.

The goal is to gather maximum points by striking the rubber ball inside the

The International Polocrosse Council (IPC) is the governing body for polocrosse events, with the World Cup occurring every four years. The USA World Cup Team is comprised of eight players from North Carolina (Carolina Club), Texas (Lone Star Club), Alabama (Tennessee Valley Club), and Maryland. The average age of the players is mid30s. Liner is the youngest player at 24. Most of the players have played in at least one other World Cup Event, which was previously held in Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. When the team flies to South Africa in 2024, it is the responsibility of the home team to provide players with horses—18 horses per team for 18 teams, plus officials.

When the team gathers in Pinehurst, everyone who can travel with their horse will bring their own, otherwise, horses will be provided for teammates traveling from farther away.

“We are all pretty spread out across the country so it’s hard for us to get together,” says Liner. “This will be the first organized event with all the players in attendance. It might be our only chance to practice as a true team before the World Cup. We will have two men’s teams and two women’s teams. You have to play the best to be the best so this is going to be great practice for us all. It’s all nice to be able to build some team comradery before we all land in a foreign country together.”

The September event stands to be beneficial to everyone, including The O’Neal School. The Parents’ Association is in charge of things that might not normally be accounted for in the school budget, like resurfacing the tennis courts, teacher appreciation or certain clubs at the school that need financial support. As an O’Neal alumnus, the owner of James Creek Cider House will be there as a vendor to help support the Parents’

Association and the polocrosse team. The benefit will be run by volunteers, mainly from the Carolina Polocrosse Club. They’ll be in charge of walking horses, goaltending, keeping score, running various booths, parking and more. “We are still looking for more volunteers and encourage anyone interested to reach out. The more the merrier!

“We’re thankful there’s not going to be a ton of overhead because the event was already happening, so we just amped it up to a benefit event. We’re hoping for a huge success, as well as spreading the knowledge about polocrosse and its presence worldwide. People are already impressed with what the local players can do on their horses, so for spectators to be able to view the sport on a higher level … well, that’s just super cool to us.”

Attendees can also look forward to a pony kissing booth with local therapy pony Mr. Waffles, a hat contest and the infamous stomping of the divots midway through the event. No word on whether we can expect an appearance from Richard Gere, however.

Polocrosse in the Pines

will be held Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Pinehurst Harness Track. Admission is free and parking is $10 per vehicle (for those not purchasing a tailgate spot or a sponsorship).

Gates open at 9 a.m. For information on the event or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Christina Baker at 910.485.5200.

Feats repurposed

Artist Cassidy Oeltjen

by Mary McCashin

Almost any equestrian has that box in storage filled with horse show ribbons. Perhaps they’re strewn around your trailer or hanging dusty in your tack room … we all have them. While some may hold memories or farms long since turned into housing developments, or that horse we never forgot, we hold onto them. We hold onto the ponies that taught us how to ride, the event we never thought we’d win and the horse we lost too soon. Those ribbons each have their own story to go with them.

Instead of being like most of us and packing those awards in dusty memory boxes, Cassidy Oeltjen decided to find a way to repurpose her show ribbons. She wanted to share the ribbons in a way that was unconventional and artistic.

“It all started at the beginning of COVID,” Oeltjen says. “I was cleaning out our house, because we all had the time to do those things, and I found all my old ribbons from when I was a kid. They were packed away in a box and I figured that was true of almost every horse person. My mom is an artist and so I always grew up around art. So, I decided to see what I could turn the old ribbons into.”

Oeltjen started with hats. She worked on ways to embellish simple straw hats into walking art with a dash of color. She says: “People could wear them to events, horse races,

wherever. I could make them very fancy or simple. Then I dabbled in stock ties. I was trying all these different things and then I asked myself, ‘What would happen if I cut them up and painted with the ribbons rather than with paint?’

As soon as she started, Oeltjen felt she was onto something different. And she was elated when a prominent eventer asked her to create a piece. But when seeing the art piece in person, the client rather harshly commented how it looked as though it was something a preschooler would do in a cutand-paste group.

“I’m not going to lie, that hurt. Art is something you either appreciate or you don’t, and she very clearly did not appreciate it. I stopped making things for a while because it was such a blow to my confidence.”

Thankfully, Michelle Frazier, who was on the board of The Carolina Horse Park at the time, reached out to Oeltjen and commissioned a piece. “She told me what she wanted, and that she had all her old ribbons. I wouldn’t even give her a price on the piece. I felt lost regarding my abilities, so I told her to pay me what she felt was fair when I was done.”

All it took was one very appreciative Frazier for Oeltjen to get her groove back. Though her day-today job is teaching lessons and running horse shows, her ribbon preservation art business keeps growing.

“It’s mostly been word of mouth. I have a website and a small shop on it, but usually someone tells someone else and the work keeps rolling in. I’ve done a lot of art with ribbons from dog shows—dog people have been very into it! I also have some repeat customers who want things other than horses, which have been fun. I got to do an intricate zebra. That was a cool way to use memories from horse show ribbons in a way that matched the motif of their home. Things like that are really special to me.”

Indeed, Oeltjen says doing animals other than horses has allowed her to stretch herself artistically. “I know the structure of a horse so well that when I do another animal I have to rely on a different part of my brain to get it done. It pushes me to be better and keeps challenging myself.”

This creative outlet has also allowed Oeltjen to make artwork beyond ribbons. She paints flaps on old saddles, turns helmets into tiny custom art murals and shoots watered-down paint out of syringes, all with the idea of repurposing materials and using things differently to help express herself even more.

Growing up, Oeltjen enjoyed watching her mom make porcelain pieces and custom chaps and purposes. She says it was those moments that are the foundation of her love for art. “I used to love to watch her work as a kid, and still do as an adult. Our art is very different, but I love that we can share it.”

For more information about Oeltjen’s art or to order a custom piece, visit studio-trouvaille.com. Don’t let those good memories pile up.

SEPTEMBER

September 2-3

Sat-Sun

Cooldown Dressage

Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

Sat-Sun

Labor of Love I+II

Hunt Horse Complex, 4 601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

September 8-10

Fri-Sun

Five Points HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Saturday

Triton Show

2521 Baptist Rd, Durham, NC 27703

September 13

Wed

HRF D/CT/HT/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376

September 16-17

Saturday Buckhorn D/CT

Buckhorn Farm, 434 Youngs Rd, Vass, NC 28394

Sat-Sun

Harvest Moon

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Rd, Raeford, NC 28376

Sunday

Portofino Dressage & CT

Portofino Horse Stables, 213 Portofino Drive, Clayton, NC 27527

Saturday Polocrosse in the Pines

Pinehurst Harness Track

Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

September 22-24

Fri-Sat SATP Early Fall C

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Sept 30-Oct 1

Sat-Sun Triangle Farms Fall Fling Indoors C Triangle Derby Finals. Hunt Horse Complex, 4 601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun Pinehurst Fall Dressage Pinehurst Harness Track, Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

OCTOBER

October 1st

MCH Informal Hunt Season starts

October 4-8

Wed-Sun NC State Fair H/J AA Hunt Horse Complex, 4 601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun, WHES October HT Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

October 14-15

Sat-Sun SATP FALL NCHJA C Show

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford

Sunday Buckhorn D/CT Buckhorn Farm, 434 Youngs Rd, Vass, NC 28394, USA

October 21- 22

Sat-Sun NCHJA C Finals

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford

October 27- 29

Fri-Sun SATP Haunted Classic Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford

Saturday HRF D/CT/HT/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376

Hunt Boxes & Barndominiums

By Audrey Wiggins

Local Equestrian Property Specialist with: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyle Property and Partners

As a Realtor who specializes in selling Equestrian Properties, I have shown and listed all types and styles of horse farms with varying amenities. In the Sandhills, it is common to see the unique ‘Hunt Box’ or ‘Barndominium’ style construction which typically combine the human and horse living quarters. Most buyers and sellers use the terms interchangeably, and while there are similarities there are definite differences and reasons that horse farm buyers prefer this style to the more traditional layout of a single family home with detached horse facilities.

The term ‘Hunt Box’ originates back to the late 1700’s and is tied directly to the sport of Fox Hunting. The hunt box or ‘hunting box’ referred to the smallish, quaint cottages that the English Aristocracy, or their guests, would stay in while on a Fox Hunt. Often, these cottages were generally located on large estates as temporary living spaces separate from the Manor House and usually offered attached accommodations for the horses as well. We see a large variety of architecture related to the hunt box with living quarters that are above or attached to the accommodations of our equine friends. Specific details to design often offer a central living space with higher ceilings, exposed beams and large windows with two story views. In today’s real estate world, a Hunt Box is associated with a residential dwelling that is attached in some fashion to a barn used for horses. 300 years later, they are still very popular as primary residences, secondary residences or guest accommodations on equestrian or farm type properties.

The term ‘Barndominium’ is credited to real estate developer Karl Nilsen who used it in 1989 to reference a planned equestrian type community, but the design incorporates a metal pole barn or portable metal barn-type structures that are partially or fully constructed as residential dwellings. An existing barn of any type that has been converted to residential dwelling space is also considered a Barndominium. The architectural popularity of these structures, with their expansive open-floor layout and high ceilings, was rejuvenated by the show Fixer Upper in 2016 when Joanna Gaines referred to a metal building being converted to a residential dwelling as a ‘Barndominium’.

The primary difference between the two is the inclusion of the Horse and the architectural design. A barndominium can offer equine accommodations, but just as likely could offer other types of unfinished spaces - workshops, garage bays, other livestock housing. Functionality and cost come into play as well, as both designs offer lower construction costs and a convenient & efficient way to care for your animals, which can be a factor for those who are looking to buy or build. Both options offer a lifestyle for those who wish to be ‘close’ to what they are passionate about!

Most important factor if you are buying, building or selling these unique properties is to hire professionals that are familiar with these types of structures and can adequately advise maintenance, condition and structural considerations. If you are in the market to buy or sell an equestrian property, give me a call and let’s find the horse farm or property that fits your lifestyle!

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“It’s Showtime”

Photo by Jason Jackson

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