Southern Pines or Tryon/Aiken NC/SC?

[swmorse]

I am going to move to NC. I’ve read all the threads about what’s the best place to live and always thought Southern Pines and Aiken were more eventer oriented.

The move is happening in March or April this year.

Money is a determining factor, as in, less costly is better.

I’ve pretty much ruled out Aiken as its’ weather is too much like Florida (where I am now).

Tryon was my goal but I seem to be hearing more and more about Southern Pines. I know SP is less costly than Tryon.

Here is my situation. I would like to lease (long term a year or more) a farm for the horses that has living quarters for me. I’ll be bringing from 10 to 14 horses, possibly one stallion. The horses are Hanoverian, Oldenberg, and Tb crosses of those 2 breeds. Most are bred for the jumper ring. A couple are hunters and a couple are pointing to the eventing world.

I’d like to end up leasing most of the horses with some possible sales. I’m really a Saddle Seat rider and am going to go back to that once I get all these horses placed. I am not really comfortable going over fences so would look for someone to help with the riding.

That being said, which area do you think would be my best bet to get that done and eventually get these horses in homes that would be best for them?

Thanks.

[Lord_Helpus]

I have been in SP on and off for 40 years. It used to be a huge H/J place, but is definitely now more eventing/dressage/driving. If you look in the neighboring towns (Carthage, Hoffman, 5 Points/Raeford) you can get a real bargain on a farm. These places are about 20 min from SP, but the cost is about 1/4th of living near the Foundation/Youngs Road.

There are still several very good H/J trainers to help sell horses, though. And a number of up and coming event riders/trainers who can train young horses well, and for a reasonable price.

If you are making your decision in March, there are 2 BIG events at the Carolina Horse Park (one a “regular” event, followed by an International *** event). Come then and you will get a good idea of the eventing world in this area.

I love SP and cannot imagine living anywhere else. But friends who have considered both, are 50/50 between SP and Aiken. I have never been to Aiken, but I believe it is a real town with busy streets and stoplights and all. SP is a one street down (Broad Street) with no stoplights. The business district of Aberdeen (town next to SP) is where you will do all of your shopping, etc.

PS: SP is also a humid furnace in the summer – the other 3 seasons are divine, but summer? Not so much.

[jlphilli]

I don’t know much about Aiken so I can’t give any advice about it, but Southern Pines (and Pinehurst/Raeford/and Carthage area as mentioned above) are great places that do have several top notch hunter and jumper trainers in my opinion, as well as a great deal of eventing trainers. A lot of people in the triangle area of NC (myself included) even board and travel to these areas just for the calibur of hunter/jumper trainers available.

[alteringwego]

Tryon is definitely full of mini horse farms and a handful of big trainers: The Russells, Kelly Kocher, Holli Adams, Jeanne Smith, Lee Cone, etc. Of hunter/jumper trainers that is. Plenty of dressage folk in the area. Beautiful farms, amazing property and some deals to be had. Land is still relatively inexpensive compared to the Asheville/Hendersonville area. An outstanding vet clinic with full surgical facilities (can cut a colic in no time flat). Most of the home communities have a trail system of some sort: FETA (foothills equestrian trail association), CETA (Collinsville Equestrian Trail Association), etc. There’s plenty of them. Great horse show facilities but my biggest pull for moving to that area would be the creation of the White Oak show facility. It is being built by the WEF partners as sort of a WEF North type show grounds. It includes ample housing, countless rings, stabling, the works. A true top knotch show grounds and it will definitely bring the people to follow so if it is sales that you concentrate on, you’ll have a lion’s share in your own backyard. Downside to Tryon is that it is such a small place and horses are really the only thing going in the town. It’s 30 minutes to most everything but it most definitely is growing so I’d venture to make the claim that any property purchased is a good investment.

That being said, Aiken is larger and most people say lovely. Many really big name trainers there and in the Camden area. More of everything I listed above. Highfields is the big show grounds there which the Cram family owns, Progressive Show Jumping, Inc. Lots to do in Aiken, including polo.

At least for hunters and jumpers, Tryon and Aiken are the more ‘happening’ places.

[swmorse]

thanks for taking the time to reply. I wish I had the time (and someone to take care of the home farm) so I could spend about a week in Southern Pines and another week in Tryon.