Equestrian Services, LLC is the company setting the standards for the planning, design, delivery and management of equestrian amenities for resorts and communities worldwide.
O'Connor
Signature at The Oaks - The World's First
Branded Equestrian Facility
Lake City, FL - www.oconnorattheoaks.com
Olympian
Karen O'Connor
Equestrian Services has completed all the planning and design work and Equestrian Management, LLC has begun providing management services for this 1220-acre site in Lake City, Florida. We were responsible for the design of: a) each specific element, including a 33-stall barn with a covered arena; round pen; outbuildings to manage bedding, manure and equipment; paddock and pasture layout; and the outdoor riding arenas, b) overall facility layout, and c) trail alignment for over 15 miles of looped riding trails connecting park-like centers throughout the site. Field Sport Concept affiliate McKee Carson, in collaboration with Equestrian Services, provided the land planning, community layout and landscape architectural design for the site. The facility is complete, staff is in place and operations are commencing. The developer is currently selling lots in Phase One.
UPDATE: The Oaks has been selected as the Inaugural O'Connor Gold Signature facility. As an O'Connor Signature facility, this community features a cross country course designed by Olympic Gold Medal winner David O'Connor.
Equestrian Services, LLC is currently working with Verde Realty and Heritage Preserve on the Montaraz project (formerly known as Mesa Ranch) in New Mexico. Montaraz is being developed as a themed residential community on 1,450 +/- acres outside of Ruidoso, New Mexico. The community will cater to higher-end (yet casual) equestrian and “new-ruralist” second-home and retirement-home buyers, offering exceptional equestrian amenities in a refined rural setting. Currently, Equestrian Services is providing the following services: Schematic Design & Homeowners Association Guidelines; Existing Data Evaluation; Program Development and Pro Forma Budgeting; Schematic Equestrian Amenity Design and Conceptual Barn Plan with Elevations; and an in-depth evaluation and study of Membership-Club Structures for the community.
Equestrian Services,
LLC was selected to provide equestrian design
and planning services for Toll Brothers, Inc.
for their 750+ acre Equestrian Community in
Prince Georges County, Maryland. Equestrian
Services, LLC was responsible for the design
of: a) each specific element including a 22-stall
barn with attached 100' x 220' indoor arena
- designed by Joe Martinolich of CMW, outbuildings
to manage bedding, manure, and equipment,
several miles of riding trails through the
undeveloped portion of the site, paddock and
pasture layout, and the outdoor riding arena,
b) overall facility layout, and c) its integration
into the community. Equestrian Services, LLC
was instrumental in obtaining Conceptual Site
Plan approval from the County and continues
to assist Toll Brothers with the on-going
permitting process as well as prepare and
refine capital budgets for the construction
of the facility. Equestrian Services, LLC
looks forward to beginning construction of
the facility in spring 2008.
Quail Valley Ranch - Foster Enterprises
Loma Rica, CA
Equestrian Services, LLC was hired by Foster Enterprises
to conduct a Phase 1 Site Evaluation for an
equestrian community on 1,500 picturesque
acres in Loma Rica, which is about 90 minutes north
of Sacramento. Zoning regulations
require that 70% of the site remains in a
conservation easement, which will be open
for recreation to residents and the surrounding
community on a controlled basis. The
challenge for Equestrian Services, LLC is
to optimize the use and ROI on the developable
portion of the site, while creating
a first-class equestrian community that will
bring target buyers to this beautiful mountain
homestead. Work on this project currently
includes: Regulatory Research; Topographical
and Land-Use Analysis; a Geo-Demographic Market
Analysis; Facility and Trails Planning and
Design; Lot Matrix Calculations; Lot Layout
Conceptual Design; Pasture Establishment and
Management Plans; Equestrian Programming; and Conceptual Budgeting. Foster Enterprises
hopes to begin sales in this community by
the end of 2010. Visit www.quailvalleyranch.org for more project information.
Ascot Meadows
Vista Santa Rosa, CA
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by Highpointe Communities, Inc. to evaluate the potential - and assist in the development of - an equestrian amenity on a 81-acre site located in the Vista Santa Rosa section of Riverside County (CA), which is near the city of La Quinta.
The primary objective of the current investigation is to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation is currently in process, which includes a Detailed Equestrian Program Analysis and Feasibility Study. The work product has been divided, and the information is being organized into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming; Budgeting and Operations; and Summary.
Franktown Ranch
Nevada
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by a group of investors to evaluate the potential - and assist in the development of - an equestrian amenity on an approximately 839-acre site comprised of several parcels, including agricultural, wooded foothills and mountainous land in the southwest portion of the Washoe Valley (outside of Reno, Nevada). The primary objective of the current investigation is to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation is currently in process, which includes a Detailed Equestrian Program Analysis and Feasibility Study. The work product has been divided and the information is being organized into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming; Budgeting and Operations; and Summary.
Orangebend
Frostproof, FL
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by Frostproof Developers to evaluate the potential - and assist in the development of - an equestrian amenity on 250 acres in Frostproof, FL, which sits on a 400-acre lake. The primary objective of the current investigation is to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation is currently in process, which includes a Detailed Equestrian Program Analysis and Feasibility Study. The work product has been divided, and the information is being organized into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming; Budgeting and Operations; and Summary.
Montaña del Mar
Guanacaste region of Costa Rica
Equestrian Services, LLC has been retained by Cushing Development to assist in the creation of a resort-based equestrian amenity for a LEED-certified, environmentally-friendly resort community in Costa Rica. Montaña del Mar responds to an enormous untapped opportunity to actualize the modern ideal of a full-service tropical resort and residence for the upscale international market which seeks a beautiful, active and elegant lifestyle. Montaña del Mar is a breathtaking 770-acre mountain that falls into the Pacific Ocean in Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s northwest “Gold Coast”. It is minutes from two regional airports, has the best weather in the country, and it is centrally located on an undisturbed tropical wonderland. The property consists of three parcels: the Beach Club, the Golf Estates, and the Main Mountain which will house the Equestrian Village. It enjoys three miles of mountain ridge at a 1200-foot elevation, parallel to the coast setback of ½ mile. Equestrian Services, LLC will provide all the programming, planning, design, as well as overseeing construction and the execution of the amenity through its affiliate, Equestrian Management, LLC.
Past Projects
Arden
Farms
Crownsville, MD
Leading regional developer Koch Homes purchased
a property for a new residential luxury home
community that had been a working horse farm
and equestrian training facility for many
years. Unfortunately, the barn, pastures and
riding rings were old and run down. Koch Homes
hired Equestrian Services, LLC to help them
determine if the equestrian facilities could
and should be kept, and if so, develop a pro
forma of how an equestrian community should
be created for the site. Equestrian Services,
LLC’s consulting services included an
analysis of the site and associated recommendations
regarding:
The
future of the existing equestrian facilities
and the recommended replacement if an equestrian
theme was maintained
A market study to
determine if the buyer pool for an equestrian
community existed in the region, and if
so, what did that buyer pool look like
A programming analysis
to determine the equestrian activities and
amenities bets suited for the community
Consulting regarding
the important wording, clauses and parameters
for Homeowners Association documents and
an agreement with a therapeutic riding program
that was to remain on a specific piece of
the property.
El Cardenal Farms - Nemco Properties, LLC
Mooresville, NC
Equestrian
Services, LLC was retained by NEMCO Properties
to evaluate an existing equestrian facility
on the 140-acre El Cardenal Farm, in Mooresville,
North Carolina. The equestrian facility
and surrounding lands were to be evaluated
regarding their potential to be developed
as a residential equestrian community.
In
order to assist the Client in determining
the optimum layout of an equestrian amenity
based on the existing buildings and arenas,
Equestrian Services reviewed basic topographic
information, information on the local equestrian
industry and its needs, and real estate and
other demographic trends in Rowan County --where
the Site is located-- and the surrounding
region. The primary objective of the
investigation was to make a preliminary determination
of the quality and state of the existing equestrian
facility, as well as the potential for equestrian
riding trails on the Site and what programming
avenues would be best suited for an equestrian
amenity in this specific community.
Fieldstone Farms - Mitchell Developers
Loudoun
County, VA
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by Mitchell Developers to evaluate the potential, and assist in the development, of an equestrian amenity on an 800-acre site that was to become Fieldstone Equestrian Estates residential community in Loudoun County, Virginia.
The primary objective was to conduct an investigation to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation provided the results of that review and divided the information into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming, Budgeting and Operations; and Summary. From this study, the developer had a viable and profitable plan for turning this project into a top-of-the-line equestrian community that would appeal to this wealthy equestrian market and yield strong results in terms of sales pricing and pace.
Harmony - Starwood Real Estate Group
Harmony, FL
The University of California at Davis is filming
a documentary on this environmentally sensitive
and exemplary residential community that has
prompted the creation of the town of Harmony,
just outside of Orlando, Florida. It is an
EnergyStar® compliant community and is
the home of the Harmony Institute, a think
tank for the relationship between humans,
animals and the environment. Equestrian Services
provided pre-planning, equestrian programming,
operational budget projections, capital expenditure
pro formas, and the master plan for the equestrian
facilities.
Heart
Island - Landmar Group, LLC and Crescent Partners
Ormond Beach, FL
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by The
LandMar Group, LLC and Crescent Partners to
evaluate the potential, and assist in the
development of, an equestrian amenity on 7,941
acres at a site that will become the Heart
Island Equestrian Estates residential community
in Volusia County, Florida.
The
primary objective of the investigation was
to make a preliminary determination of the
possible location/s for the facility within
the site, as well as what programming avenues
would be best suited for an equestrian amenity
in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian
Evaluation provided the results of that review
and divided the information into the following
sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory
Research; Geo-demographic Analysis; Equestrian
Programming, Budgeting and Operations; and
Summary.
High Gate Equestrian Community
Rockwall, TX
A team of investors purchased High Gate Equestrian Center in Rockwall, Texas with the dream of creating an unparalleled equestrian community in this strong and affluent equestrian market just outside of Dallas. The property housed a well-known equestrian training facility for many years, but the owners were unsure if the site could work as an equestrian community, and if so, whether the barns, pastures, and riding rings and arenas were appropriate for the market. The High Gate investors have hired Equestrian Services, LLC to help them determine if the equestrian facilities could and should be kept, and if so, develop a pro forma of how an equestrian community should be created for the site. Equestrian Services’ consulting services included an analysis of the site and associated recommendations, including:
The future of the existing equestrian facilities and the recommended replacement if an equestrian theme was maintained;
A market study to determine if the buyer pool for an equestrian community existed in the region, and if so, what did that buyer pool look like;
A programming analysis to determine the
equestrian activities and amenities best
suited for the community.
Upon completion of the feasibility study, the group will begin the next phase of community design, planning, and marketing of this high-end equestrian community.
Hudson Lake Ranches
Okeechobee, FL
Equestrian Services provided programming for a 1200 acre
Equestrian community
with equestrian estate lots and a central
community barn with a covered arena.
Equestrian programming efforts were completed
along with an initial development feasibility
study; preparation of conceptual equestrian
development plans, pro forma budgets
for proposed capital expenditures; along with
marketing strategies were provided.
Lexington Equestrian Community
Spotsylvania County, VA
Equestrian Services and Field Sport Concepts were selected to create an Equestrian Development Plan for this site, which would include land planning and equestrian trail and facility design services. The completion of this Equestrian Development Plan provided the framework for obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the project, and for allowing the land owner to sell the site to a developer for optimal return on investment.
The Overlook
Kearneysville, WV
Equestrian Services, LLC and Field Sport Concepts, Ltd.
previously partnered to serve a developer
in the creation of a destination amenity-based
sporting community in West
Virginia. The sporting lifestyle was the
focus for the community. On site evaluations
have taken place and the programming phase
occurred last summer. The site encompasses
1300 acres of varied terrain including ponds
and streams. Recreational opportunity plans
included: an equestrian facility; clay/upland
bird shooting; trout fishing; open fields
for soccer, Scottish Highland celebrations,
dog trials, concerts and cookouts; indoor
and outdoor swimming pools. Other amenities
were to include a lodge/hotel, full service
spa, restaurant and the potential creation
of a lake. Feasibility studies have indicated
that development plans are cost prohibitive
and currently the project is on hold indefinitely.
Tehachapi Equestrian Community
Los Angeles, CA
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained to evaluate the
potential, and assist in the development,
of an equestrian residential community in
Tehachapi, California, approximately 2 hours
north of Los Angeles. Set in a beautiful
valley and surrounded by golden mountains,
this project was conceived to be a unique
brand of equestrian communities, each with
it own ambiance and set of equestrian offerings.
The
primary objective for Equestrian Services,
LLC was to conduct an investigation to determine
if this concept could work in this region,
and if so, could the 39-acre parcel in question
serve as the first site. The Phase 1 Preliminary
Site Evaluation researched and analyzed data
in the areas of: A topographical evaluation
of the site itself: The competitive housing
and equestrian facilities in the region; Regulatory
and zoning issues; Geo-demographic market
analysis; Equestrian programming, budgeting
and operations. Early on in the research process,
it became clear that the concept was strong
and would be quite successful in this region,
but the site in question would not be viable
to meet the vision and financial goals of
the investors. Although we recommended that
the evaluation be stopped to save money for
the client, the client boldly asked us to
complete the evaluation and the documentation
as a means of showing the care and precision
their firm uses to insure every real estate
investment made by the company is a wise one.
The company is now currently searching for
larger sites in the region to bring this exciting
concept to life.
Equestrian Services, LLC is currently working with Verde Realty and Heritage Preserve on the Montaraz project (formerly known as Mesa Ranch) in New Mexico. Montaraz is being developed as a themed residential community on 1,450 +/- acres outside of Ruidoso, New Mexico. The community will cater to higher-end (yet casual) equestrian and “new-ruralist” second-home and retirement-home buyers, offering exceptional equestrian amenities in a refined rural setting. Currently, Equestrian Services is providing the following services: Schematic Design & Homeowners Association Guidelines; Existing Data Evaluation; Program Development and Pro Forma Budgeting; Schematic Equestrian Amenity Design and Conceptual Barn Plan with Elevations; and an in-depth evaluation and study of Membership-Club Structures for the community.
Equestrian Services,
LLC was selected to provide equestrian design
and planning services for Toll Brothers, Inc.
for their 750+ acre Equestrian Community in
Prince Georges County, Maryland. Equestrian
Services, LLC was responsible for the design
of: a) each specific element including a 22-stall
barn with attached 100' x 220' indoor arena
- designed by Joe Martinolich of CMW, outbuildings
to manage bedding, manure, and equipment,
several miles of riding trails through the
undeveloped portion of the site, paddock and
pasture layout, and the outdoor riding arena,
b) overall facility layout, and c) its integration
into the community. Equestrian Services, LLC
was instrumental in obtaining Conceptual Site
Plan approval from the County and continues
to assist Toll Brothers with the on-going
permitting process as well as prepare and
refine capital budgets for the construction
of the facility. Equestrian Services, LLC
looks forward to beginning construction of
the facility in spring 2008.
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by Highpointe Communities, Inc. to evaluate the potential - and assist in the development of - an equestrian amenity on a 81-acre site located in the Vista Santa Rosa section of Riverside County (CA), which is near the city of La Quinta. 
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by a group of investors to evaluate the potential - and assist in the development of - an equestrian amenity on an approximately 839-acre site comprised of several parcels, including agricultural, wooded foothills and mountainous land in the southwest portion of the Washoe Valley (outside of Reno, Nevada). The primary objective of the current investigation is to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation is currently in process, which includes a Detailed Equestrian Program Analysis and Feasibility Study. The work product has been divided and the information is being organized into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming; Budgeting and Operations; and Summary.
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by Frostproof Developers to evaluate the potential - and assist in the development of - an equestrian amenity on 250 acres in Frostproof, FL, which sits on a 400-acre lake. The primary objective of the current investigation is to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation is currently in process, which includes a Detailed Equestrian Program Analysis and Feasibility Study. The work product has been divided, and the information is being organized into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming; Budgeting and Operations; and Summary.
Equestrian Services, LLC has been retained by Cushing Development to assist in the creation of a resort-based equestrian amenity for a LEED-certified, environmentally-friendly resort community in Costa Rica. Montaña del Mar responds to an enormous untapped opportunity to actualize the modern ideal of a full-service tropical resort and residence for the upscale international market which seeks a beautiful, active and elegant lifestyle. Montaña del Mar is a breathtaking 770-acre mountain that falls into the Pacific Ocean in Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s northwest “Gold Coast”. It is minutes from two regional airports, has the best weather in the country, and it is centrally located on an undisturbed tropical wonderland. The property consists of three parcels: the Beach Club, the Golf Estates, and the Main Mountain which will house the Equestrian Village. It enjoys three miles of mountain ridge at a 1200-foot elevation, parallel to the coast setback of ½ mile. Equestrian Services, LLC will provide all the programming, planning, design, as well as overseeing construction and the execution of the amenity through its affiliate, Equestrian Management, LLC.
Leading regional developer Koch Homes purchased
a property for a new residential luxury home
community that had been a working horse farm
and equestrian training facility for many
years. Unfortunately, the barn, pastures and
riding rings were old and run down. Koch Homes
hired Equestrian Services, LLC to help them
determine if the equestrian facilities could
and should be kept, and if so, develop a pro
forma of how an equestrian community should
be created for the site. Equestrian Services,
LLC’s consulting services included an
analysis of the site and associated recommendations
regarding:
Equestrian
Services, LLC was retained by NEMCO Properties
to evaluate an existing equestrian facility
on the 140-acre El Cardenal Farm, in Mooresville,
North Carolina. The equestrian facility
and surrounding lands were to be evaluated
regarding their potential to be developed
as a residential equestrian community.
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by Mitchell Developers to evaluate the potential, and assist in the development, of an equestrian amenity on an 800-acre site that was to become Fieldstone Equestrian Estates residential community in Loudoun County, Virginia.
The primary objective was to conduct an investigation to make a preliminary determination of the possible location(s) for the facility within the site, as well as what programming avenues would be best-suited for an equestrian amenity in this specific community. The Phase 1 Equestrian Evaluation provided the results of that review and divided the information into the following sections: On/Off-Site Evaluation and Regulatory Research; Geo-Demographic Analysis; Equestrian Programming, Budgeting and Operations; and Summary. From this study, the developer had a viable and profitable plan for turning this project into a top-of-the-line equestrian community that would appeal to this wealthy equestrian market and yield strong results in terms of sales pricing and pace.
The University of California at Davis is filming
a documentary on this environmentally sensitive
and exemplary residential community that has
prompted the creation of the town of Harmony,
just outside of Orlando, Florida. It is an
EnergyStar® compliant community and is
the home of the Harmony Institute, a think
tank for the relationship between humans,
animals and the environment. Equestrian Services
provided pre-planning, equestrian programming,
operational budget projections, capital expenditure
pro formas, and the master plan for the equestrian
facilities.
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained by The
LandMar Group, LLC and Crescent Partners to
evaluate the potential, and assist in the
development of, an equestrian amenity on 7,941
acres at a site that will become the Heart
Island Equestrian Estates residential community
in Volusia County, Florida. 
A team of investors purchased High Gate Equestrian Center in Rockwall, Texas with the dream of creating an unparalleled equestrian community in this strong and affluent equestrian market just outside of Dallas. The property housed a well-known equestrian training facility for many years, but the owners were unsure if the site could work as an equestrian community, and if so, whether the barns, pastures, and riding rings and arenas were appropriate for the market. The High Gate investors have hired Equestrian Services, LLC to help them determine if the equestrian facilities could and should be kept, and if so, develop a pro forma of how an equestrian community should be created for the site. Equestrian Services’ consulting services included an analysis of the site and associated recommendations, including: 
Equestrian Services provided programming for a 1200 acre
Equestrian community
with equestrian estate lots and a central
community barn with a covered arena.
Equestrian programming efforts were completed
along with an initial development feasibility
study; preparation of conceptual equestrian
development plans, pro forma budgets
for proposed capital expenditures; along with
marketing strategies were provided.
Equestrian Services and Field Sport Concepts were selected to create an Equestrian Development Plan for this site, which would include land planning and equestrian trail and facility design services. The completion of this Equestrian Development Plan provided the framework for obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the project, and for allowing the land owner to sell the site to a developer for optimal return on investment.
Equestrian Services, LLC and Field Sport Concepts, Ltd.
previously partnered to serve a developer
in the creation of a destination amenity-based
sporting community in West
Virginia. The sporting lifestyle was the
focus for the community. On site evaluations
have taken place and the programming phase
occurred last summer. The site encompasses
1300 acres of varied terrain including ponds
and streams. Recreational opportunity plans
included: an equestrian facility; clay/upland
bird shooting; trout fishing; open fields
for soccer, Scottish Highland celebrations,
dog trials, concerts and cookouts; indoor
and outdoor swimming pools. Other amenities
were to include a lodge/hotel, full service
spa, restaurant and the potential creation
of a lake. Feasibility studies have indicated
that development plans are cost prohibitive
and currently the project is on hold indefinitely. 
Equestrian Services, LLC was retained to evaluate the
potential, and assist in the development,
of an equestrian residential community in
Tehachapi, California, approximately 2 hours
north of Los Angeles. Set in a beautiful
valley and surrounded by golden mountains,
this project was conceived to be a unique
brand of equestrian communities, each with
it own ambiance and set of equestrian offerings.