Scarce horse riding areas drive demand for Midrand country and equestrian lifestyle homes

Horse owners and enthusiasts looking to be part of an equestrian community should look no further than Midrand, with its wide range of secure country and lifestyle properties.

Equestrian estate homes that are well-located are sought after in this part of town as competitive riders want to be close to show venues, and access to outrides is important for recreational riders. These properties offer spacious homes, horse trails, security and access control, as well as create a vibrant community of horse lovers.

“With Midrand experiencing a surge in new property developments, open areas that are suitable for horse riding are becoming increasingly scarce, which makes these estates appealing to buyers looking for a country and/or equestrian lifestyle,” says Claudia Lauth and David Marais, Pam Golding Properties Midrand area specialists.

Lauth and Marais say there is growing demand from predominantly local, as well as foreign buyers, eyeing secure lifestyle properties such as Randjesfontein Country Estate. Located east of the N1 highway, this estate offers dedicated bridle trails making for a safe riding experience.

“Randjesfontein Conservancy was established in 2008 and is registered with the Gauteng Conservancy Association, with an aim to improve the environment, and ensure all open spaces and horse trails are improved. Here, buyers can purchase stand sizes ranging from 1ha to up to 13ha,” say the agents.

They explain that an up-and-coming country and equestrian area worth watching is Sun Valley, as it offers excellent value for money and easy access to major equestrian show venues. There is also Inanda Country Base on the south western boundary that boasts magnificent outrides for members.

Blue Hills Equestrian Estate which has shown consistent house growth in the past 10 years, and offers views of the Magaliesberg Mountain is also seeing demand. It offers an abundance of birdlife, riding and walking trails and plenty of open spaces to suit adventure seekers and sports fanatics, according to Lauth and Marais.

Located within the secure Waterfall City precinct is Waterfall Equestrian Estate, arguably the most exclusive estate in the country, and home to some spectacular mansions on large stands measuring from 8 565m² (1 morgan). The estate was ranked among the top 10 estates in the country, and in the top three in Gauteng by New World Wealth in 2018.

According to Pam Golding Properties area specialists, Jet de la Rey and Nicole Horwood, this flagship estate has state-of-the-art equestrian facilities that include stables, tack rooms, show jumping arena, dressage arena, lunging rings as well as a scenic bridle path along the embankments of the Jukskei River. At the entrance of the estate, is the 5-star Riboville Boutique Hotel & Restaurant (formerly known as Tintswalo At Waterfall), adding to the lifestyle amenities.

“Buyers in this estate are wealthy individuals including business owners, entrepreneurs, top government officials and foreigners, mostly from other African countries,” they say.

De la Rey and Horwood say while many buyers into these estates own horses and are passionate riders, Beaulieu Country Estate also caters for those who may not own horses, but still desire the quiet country lifestyle.

“Established in the 1980s, Beaulieu Country Estate is a unique concept of rural lifestyle within an urban environment. It has over 300 homes and 21km of bridle trails among other features,” says De la Rey and Horwood.

Another gem which ranks high on buyers’ list is Saddlebrooke Estate with 114 homes and stand sizes measuring from 10 000m² in size. The estate forms part of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy, which is committed to preserving open spaces, rural nature as well as unique flora and fauna of the area.

“Residents in this estate have best of both worlds – the laidback rural lifestyle within a thriving urban neighbourhood. This is one of Midrand’s best kept secrets when it comes to country living,” say De la Rey and Horwood.

Buying country and equestrian estates

Country and equestrian homes in Midrand are priced to suit different budgets, and they certainly offer perks which normal freestanding homes don’t have. It’s the luxury of living in a home and be able to enjoy horse riding without leaving the confines of the estate.

Lauth and Marais say property prices at Randjesfontein Country Estate range from R1.5 million for stands, and up to R8 million for existing homes. In Sun Valley, vacant stands range from R1.2 million for 1ha to R4.3 million for 5ha land sizes with home prices homes starting from R3.8 million to R19 million. Blue Hills Equestrian Estate has available stands for those looking to build their own homes and these are priced from R4 million.

Luxury homes at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate start from R17 million, and can cost as much as R150 million. There are still vacant stands for sale with prices ranging from R15 million. Saddlebrooke Estate is now all built up and, here, prices range from R6 million to R50 million, say De la Rey and Horwood.

Homes at Beaulieu Country Estate are priced from R3.4 million to R24.5 million – with R24.5 million being the highest price paid for property in the last three years. Stands are priced at R3.4 million. At Blue Hills Country Estate, vacant stands are priced at R4.69 million, with property prices ranging from R5.3 million to R12.25 million – with R12.25 million being the highest price paid for property in the last three years.

Buyers of these properties include local and international, young families, older people attracted by the exclusivity, security and privacy that these estates offer, according to Pam Golding Properties Midrand area specialists. Furthermore, these estates are centrally located to business nodes in Johannesburg, Centurion and Pretoria, Midrand Gautrain station and major arterials, places of worship, entertainment and shopping facilities.

There are also a number of good schools including the American International School of Johannesburg, Beaulieu Preparatory School and Beaulieu College, Blue Hills College, Curro Waterfall Independent School, Curro Castle Waterfall, Kyalami Preparatory School, Hillkruin Montessori School, Redford House, Reddam House Waterfall Estate and St Peters’ College among others.

Posted by Denise Mhlanga