Fact Sheet

Equestrian Services Overview

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Equestrian Services, LLC offers residential, commercial and resort real estate developers an opportunity to cater to the many needs and interests of the horse-loving enthusiast.

Equestrian Services, LLC is the company setting the standards for the planning, design, delivery and management of equestrian amenities for resorts and communities worldwide. Committed to delivering an exceptional equestrian experience through our unique branded facilities (O'Connor and John Lyons Signature), Equestrian Services provides turn-key customized equestrian amenities in order for builders and developers to take advantage of this growing market. The company designs and delivers the creation of efficient, aesthetically-pleasing, well-planned and well-executed equestrian facility amenities that meet the needs of equestrians, enthusiasts, community members, patrons, investors, and regulators.

Staff

Equestrian Services has an extensive international network of experts, vendors and equestrian sources. Its commitment to the equestrian sport and equestrian amenity offering is demonstrated through its own passion for horses. Through caring for horses, riding, and continued education, Equestrian Services’ colleagues stay involved in the equestrian lifestyle on a daily basis, giving them unique insight into this growing market. The Equestrian Services staff have diverse professional business backgrounds, but all, individually, are lifelong equestrians and bring their equestrian knowledge and experience to client projects.

Additionally, the principals’ unique background in project management and construction ensures clients have access to the experience necessary to handle the magnitude of installing and managing an equestrian facility.

Founders

Equestrian Services was founded by Michael M. Donovan, an award-winning landscape designer and contractor, and Jennifer Donovan, a lifelong horse owner and competitive dressage rider. Together, the Donovans created a unique professional standard for quality design that focuses on the safety and efficiency of horse care, while creating an equine profession built on effective business practices, customer service, and quality management, training and instruction.

Management Team

• Michael Donovan, Principal
• Jennifer Donovan, Principal
• Gary Henry, CEO & Principal
• Alejandra Abella, Director, Equestrian Management
• Michele Schwartz, Architect/Equine Land Planner
• Lindsey McDaniel, Equine Land Planner
• John Williamson, Accounting Specialist
• Shelley Van den Neste, General Manager/Riding Director, O’Connor Signature at The Oaks
• Kristi Seymour, General Manager, Bergen Equestrian Center

Equestrian Management

Equestrian Management, a division of Equestrian Services, develops the program elements and provides management and staffing of equestrian facilities similar to how a golf management firm oversees the operation of a golf course.

Services

• Equestrian Real Estate Syndication/Consortium Development
• Equestrian Programming, Geo-demographic & Feasibility Analysis
• Pro forma Budgeting including Capital Expenditure Projections and Operational Analysis
• Equestrian Project Planning & Design
• Construction Administration
• Marketing/Promotional Program Development
• Turn-Key Management through Equestrian Management, LLC

Specialized Brands

Equestrian Services offers two unique equestrian facility branding opportunities: O’Connor Signature and John Lyons Signature facilities. Akin to communities that boast an Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus golf course, Equestrian Services offers the opportunity to acquire a signature equestrian facility brand associated with these world-renowned equestrian experts.

Karen and David O’Connor Signature equestrian facilities offer an opportunity to brand a community under the name of these Olympic gold medal-winning and internationally-known equestrians. Also, John Lyons Signature (known as “America’s Most Trusted Horseman”), which boasts a more “western feel” while still attracting all kinds of horse enthusiasts, provides an opportunity for developers to uniquely brand their community.

These special brands are attractive to the horse community, carrying a cachet and promising the horse-lover that the facility follows the highest standards.

Equestrian Services’ Clients (partial list)

• The Oaks of Lake City, Lake City, FL
• Chesapeake Dressage Institute, Annapolis, MD
• Woodstock Equestrian Park, Boyds, MD
• Volvo World Cup Grand Prix Field, Albert Court Ltd., Del Mar, CA
• Hidden Meadow Farm, Garrett County, Maryland
• Herder Training Facility, Napa, California
• RO Ranch Public Equestrian Park Project, Suwannee River Water Management District, Florida

Company Contact Information

Equestrian Services LLC is located in Charlottesville, VA. The telephone number is 434.872.0108.

Equestrian Services' Media Contacts are as follows: