Lynn Long Planning and Design - Complete Equestrian Facilities

Resorts and Golf-Equestrian Communities

Resort Equestrian Centers, Golf and Equestrian Lifestyle Communities, and ‘New-Urbanism’ Equestrian Communities are a specialty of Lynn Long Planning and Design, LLC.

Resort Equestrian

A well-executed On-Site Equestrian amenity can be of great benefit to a resort, as anticipation of a unique equestrian experience can be the deciding factor in selecting a vacation destination among many similar resorts. Delivery of a ‘five star’ enjoyable equestrian experience, appreciated by everyone - expert to beginning riders, can be tailored to the unique qualities of the resort’s location and local culture. With the trend away from bling and back to nature, equestrian is an underutilized amenity, with untapped interesting variations in horses and activities. Let LLPD develop equestrian options that your resort guests have not seen elsewhere.

LLPD’s capabilities include assessment of the location’s inherent opportunities and challenges, concept development, site planning, conceptual facility design and operations plans. The results will be specifically targeted to your resort and be fun and appropriate for guests of all ages and riding abilities. This can be accomplished within a wide range of capital budgets, from basic and rustic to upscale and luxurious. Lynn Long has the deep and varied equestrian experience to envision new formats for equestrian amenities and, as a single consultant, can collaborate with existing resort design and planning teams without conflict.

Off-Site equestrian tour operators can be a valuable asset to a resort, and add a desirable amenity with no or minimal capital outlay. However, guests need to have confidence that safety, the well-being of the horses, and riding conditions will be at acceptable levels. LLPD can verify that an equestrian tour operator will meet the quality standards of the resort and guest’s standards of animal welfare. In addition, LLPD can assess what is needed by an off-site operator to turn their basic horseback ride into a memorable experience, perhaps with proprietary equestrian offerings for a specific resort.

Golf and Equestrian Lifestyle Communities

Golf and Equestrian are an excellent combination for both resorts and communities, as equestrian offers a desirable alternative lifestyle-sport for other family members. Equestrian amenities planned as social centers, with inclusive, multi-discipline facilities, are the direction of the future. Community equestrian centers are different from boarding/training barns in a very important aspect: Boarding/Training barns are discipline-focused, and attract like-minded horse owners, who can move out at any time. People buy into an equestrian community for many reasons other than horses, so residents may have widely diverse equestrian disciplines, philosophies and goals. Residents of an equestrian community cannot move their horses to a different location if dissatisfied, so designing facilities to promote long term harmony among residents, managed flexibility and providing the right options is crucial. The experience and knowledge to plan an equestrian community or amenity that will address these issues, and be successful and financially sound in each unique situation, sets Lynn Long apart from others in this field.

Whether an extensive full service equestrian complex or a smaller facility with a modest budget is the goal, LLPD can assist stakeholders with turnkey services for concept development, site feasibility, master planning, cost projections, structure design, materials specifications, and construction coordination. Equestrian centers may be constructed in total or in orderly planned phases, as demand warrants. Historic or existing ranch barns may not be appropriate for this new use, so LLPD can remodel with daylight, recent innovations in barn equipment, and a more comfortable environment for multiple owners and horses.

New Urbanism Equestrian Communities

Many individuals, who have the desire and means to purchase in an equestrian community often do not, due to long commutes from their workplace and lack of time to maintain a property. LLPD has developed a new model for an equestrian community that can be built within suburban constraints, right where many horse owners need to live and work. Horse owners can have enjoy seeing their horses through their window plus low maintenance living. A sizable demand, especially among women, exists for this currently unavailable option. Please call to discuss this innovative equestrian concept.

LLPD understands the dreams of equestrian enthusiasts, the expectations of experienced horse owners, and their strong opinions concerning equestrian amenities or communities. Equestrian preferences differ widely by age group and areas of the country. To be financially sustainable and deliver return of investment, an equestrian amenity or community must be property conceived and executed. Designing barns and site plans that are innovative and fit their desired purpose requires extensive experience in equestrian facility design.

EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Las Campanas - Lyle Anderson Companies – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Feasibility study leading to conceptual site plans, structure plans, and proposed operating guidelines for a large, phased construction equestrian center in Las Campanas, an upscale Golf Community in Santa Fe, New Mexico. LLPD initiated the concept and CC&Rs for equestrian estate lots surrounding the equestrian center, creating a buffer of sympathetic lot owners and adjacent riding trails, as the BLM open space land is a distance from the barns. Lynn Long provided periodic construction supervision up to the Grand Opening of Phase One. Phase One was successful and led to hiring an equestrian director and expansion beyond the anticipated full facility, now housing over 80 horses and regarded as one of the premier equestrian amenities within a Golf Community Development.

 

Cougar Canyon Golf Resort - Trinidad, Colorado

Feasibility narrative, conceptual site plans, schematic elevations and floor plan options for an equestrian amenity in a residential Golf Resort Community with planned boutique hotel and convention venue. The equestrian center facilities are designed in pods for phased construction as demand warrants.

 

Bell Mountain Ranch - Castle Rock, Colorado

Site plan, plan for new community boarding barn with indoor arena, and restoration specifications for a historic barn on a ranch developed for upscale suburban housing.

4945 N State Hwy 67
Sedalia, Colorado 80135
Office: (303) 688-2142
FAX: (303) 688-3104
info@lynnlongplanninganddesign.com
California Locations: Camarillo and Oceanside

Services Offered

Return of Investment

Experienced-based strategy to accurately develop each equestrian concept from the beginning, to know what makes good sense and will have a high probability of success, is very important. The capital cost, operating cost, and the revenue needed for an equestrian amenity must reflect the monetary support level of the potential users. There are several models that broaden revenue for ongoing financial sustainability. LLPD can assist a developer in investigating these options as part of the initial planning process.

Feasibility Studies

Interpretation of project market information, local regulations, locality and physical site information. Develop a program list of suggested facility and activity components and one or more sketch plans that best utilize the site.

Site Evaluation

Topography, excavation needed, orientation to sun and various weather challenges, access to riding space, all are considered when determining the viability of a proposed equestrian site.

Master Site Planning

“Evidence based design” from the above studies allows an equestrian site to have efficient operational flow, adequate access by large trailers, whole site grading plan for good drainage, and built- in contingent flexibility for phased construction. Addressing these issues and solving problems on paper, not during construction, is smart.

Construction Documents and Specifications

Experience has shown that efficiency is increased if LLPD initially produces equestrian grading plans, a schematic version of all construction documents, and detailed specifications for barn components, arena footing, and fencing. These equestrian-specific plans then form the basis for the full construction documents of the development team - engineers, architects, and contractors, saving time and many revisions.

Remodel of Existing Facilities

A property being developed may have existing equestrian facilities, but generally these are not well-suited for a resort or community barn. LLPD enjoys the challenge of creative, cost effective remodeling – keeping the ambience of historic structures while better serving the new and different equestrian use.

LEED Sustainable Equestrian Facilities

Lynn Long is a US Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Green building products and construction options are now available and cost-effective enough to be used in equestrian facilities. Designing a facility to take every advantage of day lighting, passive solar, alternative energy, natural ventilation and weather directions keeps energy use down, feels better for horses and humans, and has always been featured in Lynn Long’s equestrian design work, as are natural fly control and manure composting systems.

CC&Rs and Design Guidelines

CC&Rs for an Equestrian Community with ‘horses allowed’ lots are extremely important, yet this is an area where major errors are commonly seen and potential sales lost. LLPD writes Equestrian CC&Rs and Design Guidelines that protect the value and appearance of equestrian communities, yet are embraced by equestrian buyers as completely acceptable.

Operating Guidelines

Guidelines LLPD can provide complete written operating guidelines that address program options, facility maintenance, and the horses’ standard of care. These guidelines ensure continuity of care despite staff turnover, and reassure potential residents basing their purchase decision on an equestrian amenity still in the planning stage. Resorts need the same operations quality control in an equestrian amenity as in the hotels, especially for contract operators.