News & Events

Are you ready to enjoy a beautiful mountain spring, feel the cool summer breezes, and celebrate one of the world’s most majestic creatures? Blowing Rock, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of the largest equestrian communities in North Carolina. Did you know the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation has several events, including competitions and riding festivals, beginning next month and lasting through the fall?

On April 22nd, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation will host the annual Appalachian State University Equestrian Team Spring Schooling Show. The show will offer classes in under saddle, jumping, equitation, and working hunter. The 2017 Blowing Rock Charity Saddlebred Show will be held from June 8th-11th at the L.M. Tate Horse Show Grounds at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve, which is located next to Moses Cone Memorial Nation Park in the mountains of North Carolina. Spectators can enjoy a dazzling display of the top show horses in the country, including big, beautiful Saddlebreds and Hackney ponies, from the famous grandstand or their own box seat.

The Hunter & Jumper Division of the show will take place from July 25th-July 30th, and again from August 1st-6th. Don’t miss out on the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show’s 94th annual show! The annual Fjord and Friends Fest will take place from June 19th-June 25th at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve. There will be scheduled and free time to explore 27 miles of trails, educational activities that include riding, driving, and natural horsemanship, as well as sessions on grooming, saddle fitting, wool spinning, and more. All Fjord owners, and their friends, are welcome to the North Carolina horse property.

Finally, from September 9th-10th, the Hugh Causey Charity Trail Ride, hosted by the North Carolina division of the American Quarter Horse Association, will take place at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve. The trails will be available for horse drown carriages, horseback riding, and hiking.

The Broyhill Equestrian Preserve has been home for the Blowing Rock Charity Horse How since 1928. The Preserve is open from May through October every year. Patrons can board their horses at the Schaefer Boarding Barn, where all 450 stalls are 12 x 12, bedded with generous amounts of fresh pine shavings, and cleaned daily. Stalls are available for rent by the day, week, or month for those who live in nearby Blowing Rock real estate developments.

The Preserve offers easy access to ten acres of pasture for grazing and 27 miles of carriage roads in the Moses Cone Memorial Park, as well as two riding rings, cross-tied saddling areas, concrete wash racks, and a private tack room. Basic daily medical care for your horse is also available for an additional charge. There is also a nearby vet, and a farrier who makes frequent barn visits, should your horse become injured or ill during his or her stay. The carriage road trails in Cone Park offer many opportunities for leisurely hiking, including beautiful mountain views, a maze to wander through, and an apple barn. Overnight camping is available.

Blowing Rock is located in both Watauga and Caldwell County, the latter which is home to The Coves Mountain River Club. Our vibrant gated community tucked away into the Blue Ridge Foothills, is the perfect residential area for equestrians and horses alike. These beautiful creatures keep us calm, healthy, active, inspire our sense of wonder, and make us feel free. Plus, living in one of the equestrian communities in North Carolina allows you to expand your social circle and meet other owners who share the same passion and love for these magnificent animals.

Our Round Mountain Ranch is a full service equestrian center along the Johns River with high vaulted ceilings, padded barn flooring, a tack room, and 15 acres of pasture. Other services include veterinary services, riding lessons, select feed service, turn-out and pasture rotation, and round-pen training. We also have two scenic horse trails: the Highland River Trail, a ten 10 miles starting from the Pigsah Mountain Lodge, which passes by streams and waterfalls and brings riders down to the Johns River at the Mila Cascading Falls; and the Magnolia Trail, a 3 mile trail starting at the pasture that goes up about 100 ft in elevation overlooking the Johns River, and brings riders deep into the woods and back down to Coleton’s Swimming hole.  Folks searching to purchase North Carolina horse property, will find we offer larger home sites that are designed for horse owners to board their horses on own their home site or at the ranch. Living in the foothills is means enjoying mild four season weather.

If you’re exploring Blowing Rock real estate, Stop by The Coves and let us show you around. Call 828.754.0700 to schedule a tour.

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our 70 page complimentary Western North Carolina Visitor’s Guide which provides more information about living in the foothills.