by Heather B. Hayes
For Virginia Business
Jennifer Donovan and Michael Donovan own Equestrian Services LLC, a small firm in Charlottesville.
Sure, it would be nice to have a few acres with a couple of horses grazing in the front paddock, but, honestly, who has the time for all that barn work? A better solution might be to follow the example of golfers, who live next door to their hobby but let someone else do the work.
That’s the concept behind the sudden success of Equestrian Services LLC, a small firm in Charlottesville that has tripled its business during the past 18 months by working with developers to design residential neighborhoods that feature community barns, paddocks, trails, green spaces and other horsy amenities.
“People really want the lifestyle, but they want it in a way that is affordable and lets them enjoy the horses,” says Jennifer Donovan, a lifelong horsewoman. She owns the company with her husband, Michael, who previously worked in landscape design and construction. “A lot of this also ties into this whole ruralism movement and getting families back into safe communities, where kids can say, ‘I’m going to the barn,’ and their mom can say, ‘Just be home for dinner.’”
Equestrian Services, which has eight employees, had revenues of $1.5 million last year. It now is working on 10 projects around the country in states such as Virginia, Hawaii, Texas, Wisconsin, Nevada and California. The company’s work falls into two categories:
• adding barns and riding amenities to new or existing resort communities where horses provide one of many activities, and
• building facilities in a community where everything revolves around equestrian pursuits.
Both approaches offer a common experience, Donovan says. Residents can board their horses at the community barn or reserve a community-owned “club horse” for the occasional riding excursion.
A monthly homeowner’s fee covers all expenses associated with staffing, maintenance and upkeep of the community horses. But a-la-carte services also are available for a price. These include the types of equestrian luxuries that members of the British royal family are used to. Commuters on their way home, for example, can call a barn attendant to get their horses tacked up and ready to ride.
The most serious riders may want to live at one of Equestrian Services’ signature projects: a development branded and endorsed by Virginia-based Olympians David and Karen O’Connor. The first of these communities was recently unveiled in Lake City, Fla., about 30 minutes from Gainesville.
The Oaks of Lake City, as the neighborhood is called, will feature an indoor arena, a 76-acre, competition-quality equestrian center, a cross-country jumping course designed by David O’Connor and miles of riding trails. Residents will also have the opportunity to attend an annual riding clinic given by the O’Connors.
Following the theory “if you build it, they will come,” the equestrian amenities have been built and 236 home lots now are being offered for sale. Already though, demand has been strong, Donovan says, with inquiries coming in from as far away as Europe and Asia. Lots range from 1 to 6 acres and cost from $59,900 to $174,900. The homeowners association fee, which covers the management and maintenance of all common areas, including the equestrian amenities, is $150 a month — or fairly comparable to that of a golf resort community.
Great article Heather. Thanks for the write up. Hope to have some folks come and visit us at The Oaks. It is quite a fabuluous community with High Quality Facliites, High Quality Horse Care, Hospitality Style Staff & Concierge Services, Unique Programs and Welcoming to All Riding Disciplines. Have a great day and Happy Trails. Jon C. Jackson
--Jon Jackson of Lake City, Florida
May. 8, 2008 at 09:20 AM
We are looking for a casual equestrian community where pastures and horse facilities are shared, but where families live privately. We will be moving in about 1 1/2 years, when our daughter will be settled in college, in Richmond. We would like to be as close to Richmond, as we can be. I have only found one equine community that will be in our price range and it is in the Asheville, NC area. Many of the communities are also geared to golfers, which is unnecessary for us. We will be looking for total property cost to be around the $450,000 range. I keep hoping that an equine community will be developed in Bedford County, Pa. The area is only about 3 hours from Richmond, and much closer to DC. The climate allows for some snow and the real estate is beautiful and very inexpensive, with tax incentives. However, we are looking for a community, which is not there, yet! Please let me know if you have, or know of any equestrian communities in our price range. Thank you so much!
--Phebe Watlington of Powhatan, VA
Nov. 12, 2008 at 04:01 AM
We have 3 homes so far on our 55 acres. You may want to be a part of us!
--Sandy Hobbs of Apollo Pa
Nov. 16, 2008 at 08:05 AM
We are looking for a community in Virginia where we can board our horses. I found some in other states but none in Va.
--Jeanne Scalora of Virginia
Aug. 24, 2010 at 07:31 PM