Originally published here at Breedlove Farms
If there’s anything better than enjoying the abundant natural surroundings of North Carolina, it’s enjoying them while on horseback. Whether you’re cantering along a beach in Nags Head or winding through the mountains of the Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina offers equestrians a range of environments where they can settle into communities with their fellow horse lovers and where they will find the amenities they need.
The Mountains
Western North Carolina’s Appalachian range is rife with Equestrian communities and trails that meander through national forest lands. Towns in the area also offer a variety of distractions bound to please those who settle there. Whether you’re enjoying the arts scene in Asheville, listening to a cantata at the Brevard Music Center or just taking a leisurely hike up Grandfather Mountain, you’ll find plenty to do when not tending to your horses. That said, you’ll also find thriving communities where your passion for equestrian pursuits can be nurtured. Here are two wonderful examples:
- Balsam Mountain Preserve: Just 40 minutes from the thriving city of Asheville, Balsam Mountain offers an Equestrian Center with stables, on-site boarding, fenced pastures, a riding arena, and 42 miles of private riding trails. Children and adults can take lessons or go on guided rides. The 4,400-acre community has only 400 homesites and offers an Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, excellent trout fishing, and a summit house with private dining and stunning terraces from which to take in the mountain views.
- The Coves Mountain River Club: This gem set just outside the small town of Lenoir, North Carolina, features the full-service Round Mountain Ranch equestrian center and offers a barn set on the Johns River that has a tack room, padded floors, and fifteen acres of pastures. The true horse-lover can purchase equestrian parcels of up to 30 acres and can employ local assistance to help tend horses. There are 39 miles of riding trails, including 13 well-tended miles that take riders past waterfalls and up gentle inclines that end in beautiful views of the river.
The Cities
While North Carolina has stunning mountains and gorgeous coastlines, if you need something more metropolitan and convenient to urban amenities, you can find equestrian communities available in cities like the thriving metropolis of Charlotte or in the well-know “research triangle” area of Raleigh.
- Cheval: The town of Mint Hill may be small, but it is just outside Charlotte and has been named the safest place to live in North Carolina. The development offers countryside homesites of up to 1.5 acres and access to the well-known Jovi Cheval Equestrian Center. You can ride the trails that wind along Stevens Creek or take a stroll along footpaths that traverse the local parks.
- Portofino: Located in the “research triangle” near Raleigh, Portofinos is 400 acres of horse luxury. While your horse will be pampered in a “state-of-the-art” barn that includes tack rooms, changing rooms, large stalls, hot and cold wash areas, foaling stalls, a kitchen, and even a two-bedroom apartment, you’ll live in a luxurious home set in a community that includes a club area with a cobblestone courtyard and wood fireplace, a swimming pool, and a douglas fir pagoda.
The Coast
The North Carolina coast is lapped by the warm Atlantic waters and varies in topography from the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk to the more developed strands of Wilmington. You can travel back in time to learn more about The Lost Colony in Manteo, surf tasty waves in Nags Head, dive the German u-boat the U-352 off Cape Hatteras, or ride your horse along the beach in Currituck. And, of course, you can find nearby equestrian communities in which to live your horse dreams.
- McClendon Hills: Just West of Fayetteville and about 45 minutes from the beaches of Wilmington, McClendon Hills is a 600-acre gated community that offers mini-farm tracts that range from 2-5 acres, can accommodate a private stable, and are connected by 6.5 miles of bridal trails. The showcase of the community is the 25-acre equestrian facility with boarding stalls, run-in sheds, a lighted arena, and a hilltop arena with show jumps and all-weather footing. Moore County is an active equestrian community that hosts events and competitions, academies, and group outings.
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Written by Ivan Young
