Equestrian world of Charleston
July 25, 2008 by Steve deGuzman · Leave a Comment
Horses always have been an important part of the Carolina lifestyle and economy. Starting with the wealthy family dynasties such as the Whitneys, Vanderbilts and DuPonts of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, areas like Southern Pines and Asheville, N.C., and Camden and Aiken, S.C., became annual winter destinations.
Entire households, including horses and grooms, would come by rail to enjoy their favorite equestrian sports in the mild climate of the Carolina sandhills. That tradition has continued today, except that it’s not just the super-rich who are coming.
It’s ordinary people who want to enjoy a wonderful lifestyle as year-round residents. Today’s transplants are reaping the rewards of yesterday’s forward-thinking philanthropists who left a legacy of protected open spaces, along with gracious homes and estates.
Information from: http://www.carolinaliving.com/relocating/equestrian_carolinas.asp
Charleston, SC and the surrounding lowcountry areas are home to a thriving equestrian community.
Charleston has everything from fox hunting at historic Middleton Plantation to riding the vast trail of the Francis Marion Forest.
Charleston is also home to some of the nations’s top trainers, horses, and equestrian athletes.
The College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina both have varsity equestrian teams. The University of South Carolina boasts 3 National Championships.
The lowcountry also offers top notch equestrian centers and trainers of all disciplines…Hunters, dressage, eventing, etc…Local equestrians travel the country competing on the national level and many Northern equestrians move their operation down south for the winters.
Charleston and the lowcountry area have a lot to offer the equine enthusiast. From small 5 acre family farms to large scale equestrian complexes, there is something for everyone. Charleston has some truly amazing horse properties with state of the art facilities in exceptional locations.
