Equestrian Magazine: At Home with the Horses

By Jacqueline Kuron Barn design has come a long way from the traditional red farmhouse structure with a gambrel roof. Today, barns are increasingly marrying form and function in ways that mirror the efficiency and beauty of the majestic horses they house. There’s no better place to explore the rise of modern horse barns than internationally recognized equestrian community Wellington, Florida—and no better guides than some of the market’s premier equestrian property agents. Listing ID: RX-10699857 | $16,458mo. | John Greene | john.greene@elliman.com What Riders Want Barn features can vary based on the requirements of the rider’s discipline, whether hunter, jumping, dressage, or polo. “No different than buying a house: all buyers have different wants and needs. At this level of competition—we’re talking Grand Prix riders—function is most important,” says John Greene, Realtor Associate in the Wellington area. In his experience, adequate area for turnout is also high on the priority list. Streamlined design that is light and bright is popular with Realtor Associate Maria Mendelsohn’s clients, who favor gabled rooflines and courtyard-style barns. So are proper accommodations for human residents. “Most people do want a proper bathroom, laundry room, and bedroom in the barn,” says Broker Associate Martha Wachtel Jolicoeur, whose clients also look for staff quarters either in or close to the barn. Listing ID: RX-10699857 | $16,458mo. | John Greene | john.greene@elliman.com In addition, hurricane safety and building maintenance is a concern in Florida, so many buyers like a center aisle barn, constructed with concrete block, which can be closed and secured in the event of a hurricane. Modern barn designs are housing horses—and humans—in style. Must-Haves Stalls that measure 12 feet x 12 feet and aisles that are 12 feet wide have become standard, but there are also barns that have stalls and aisles with larger or smaller dimensions. As with human residences, larger, more open spaces can lend the barn a more luxurious feel. Listing ID: RX-10715876 | $27,990,000 | Maria Mendelsohn | maria.mendelsohn@elliman.com Good ventilation is essential to a properly functioning barn—most are oriented east-west to capitalize on the wind for natural airflow. Additional ceiling fans, and even one or two fans in each stall, also help to keep air moving. A smart layout is important for the barn’s functionality in moving horses, feed, tack, and people around efficiently. And because of supply chain and logistical issues due to COVID-19, “climate-controlled environments to store feed are becoming very critical,” Greene says. Winning Features Modern barn amenities can range from performance-based features, such as fiber footing in the arena, to entertainment facilities, like state- of-the-art lounges and event spaces. (Jolicoeur recalls attending an engagement party in a barn with tables set up down the center aisle.) Covered arenas have become more of a coveted asset, particularly for dedicated year-round riders. “It’s so much better to ride in a covered arena,” says Jolicoeur. “You don’t have to worry about the rain and the sun, and it’s so much cooler.” Listing ID: RX-10618556 | $5,199,000 | Martha Wachtel Jolicoeur PA | martha.jolicoeur@elliman.com Thoughtful landscaping and hedges that delineate natural pathways and define areas of use can create a refined resort-like atmosphere with an elevated sense of serenity. According to Mendelsohn, staff apartments have become more important to barn owners: “They want their staff to feel comfortable because they require a lot from them. Their accommodations are a way to give back, for the staff to have a place to feel good and rest when they’re spending so much time traveling around the world for the sport.” While the comfort and safety of horses and the people who care for them will always be of primary importance for those in the market to buy or build an equestrian barn, these beautiful design elements are sure to win essential points for style.