Georgia later this month...

[Corky]

So an opportunity has come up with work and I might find myself in Georgia, Manchester area to be exact, the end of April/first few days of May. I am guessing the hunting is all wrapped up, but are there any fun things going on? I’ve never spend any time this far south (exception of a few days in New Orleans) and I would love to see the country, maybe go for a ride?

So are there any places, preferably within a few hours of Manchester, that are still hunting, or even anyplace with amazing hacking and a good horse to hire? Any fun activities going on that I could check out? Tack shops I can’t miss? Anything else you’d suggest as a horsey-must do while in the area?

This is a big ‘maybe’ still, but I am crossing my fingers!

Thanks!

[Peregrine_Farm]

Most of the hunts in Georgia have closed the books on their seasons (usually happens in mid-March), but some may be staff-hunting. Manchester is near Warm Springs and FDR State Park, which has some beautiful country and has a trail riding facility.

http://www.gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt

I’ve always hauled in and never have used the stables there, and you could wind up on plodding nose-to-tail ponies suitable for non-riders, but you might just call and ask.

There are some unique restaurants and shops in Warm Springs and in Pine Mountain, which is not far away. Calloway Gardens is also nearby and is an attraction, but it is not horsey.

Poplar Place Farm is in nearby Hamilton and hosts an active horse trial calendar. Chattahoochee Hills is a little further north; both facilities have horse trials scheduled in early-to-mid May; there will be tack vendors at both locations, more so at Chatt Hills.

No local tack shops that I am aware of that cater to non-western riders. Horsetown is a Dover-y type tack store in Locust Grove but is still probably over an hour away from Manchester. Most of the better tack stores are on the north side of Atlanta.

Also, the Southern States Hound Show is April 9 at Live Oak in Thomasville, GA; many southeastern hunts will be there.

Good luck!