The sport of horse riding is very popular in South Africa and there are several notable areas where property buyers with a keen interest in equestrian sport tend to migrate to. These include agricultural holding areas and increasingly a choice of luxury equestrian estates.
Alisha Dippenaar, general manager for the greater Seeff Sandton/Midrand area, says equestrian estates and smallholdings have done well since the onset of the Covid-pandemic.
The top area for equestrian property buyers is Kyalami. She says it is home to premier showgrounds and equestrian facilities such as the Inanda Equestrian Club and Kyalami Equestrian Park along with stabling, equestrian schools, exercise tracks, tails, and outride paths.
Lightstone data shows there was an excellent uptake in equestrian properties in the Johannesburg/Sandton North and Kyalami areas over the last two years with some equestrian estates achieving some of the highest transactions in recent years.
Both Saddlebrook and Beaulieu for example achieved record transactions in 2021. Saddlebrook achieved 14 transactions compared to 9 during the 2015 boom period and Beaulieu achieved 15 compared to 13 in 2015. There were also 11 land transfers in Blue Hills last year.
There has also been substantial activity in the agricultural areas such as Kyalami AH (14 transactions in 2021, the highest since 2018), Glenferness (8 freehold transfers, the highest since 2016/7), and Glen Austin.
Ms Dippenaar says people are increasingly looking to get out of the busy cities and those with a love for horses and nature tend to migrate to the Kyalami area. It is Africa's top area for equestrian sport and offers an excellent choice of high-end equestrian estates and smallholdings. Aside from local buyers, these also appeal to international buyers who can find excellent value compared to what they would pay in Europe.
While offering a rural lifestyle, these estates and smallholdings are basically on the doorstep of Sandton, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Midrand. World-class amenities including business centres, the Mall of Africa, lifestyle centres, medical facilities, and hospitals are easily accessible to residents.
Cath McFarlane is an award-winning showjumper and trainer, and partner to renowned showjumper and trainer, Oscar Ncube, both of whom own LinRowe Stables in Kyalami. Cath recently joined Seeff Sandton as an equestrian consultant, given the unique requirements of equestrian clients.
She says equestrian properties in the Kyalami area offer an unmatched lifestyle with some of the most beautiful scenery and spectacular views of Magaliesberg. Prices of these properties tend to range from around R3,5 million to R35 million but can go into the upper millions for a spectacular top-end estate. These are also often sought-after rentals, achieving some of the highest rates ranging from R50,000 to R150,000 per month.
The most popular equestrian estates and areas include:
Waterfall Equestrian Estate - median price R12,9 million
This is a top-end luxury estate with plots of 8,000sqm to 10,000sqm and spectacular homes of 1,000sqm, priced from R18 million to R100 million. Equestrian facilities include stabling, paddocks, horse jumping arenas, a polo field, scenic bridle paths along the Jukskei River, and leisure amenities such as hotels, restaurants, a hospital, and schools.
Blue Hills Equestrian Estate - median price R13,1 million
Offers large plots upwards of 5,000sqm with luxury homes priced from R10 million to the upper millions. Also still vacant land selling from around R3,4 million. Communal features include paddocks and lunging rings, various leisure facilities and a private school (Reddford House).
Saddlebrook Estate - median price R7,25 million
It borders the Inanda Country Club and offers plots from 1ha to 1,5ha with spectacular luxury homes, priced from R6m to about R30m. Equestrian features include bridle paths with cross-country jumps for enjoyable safe outrides. Leisure facilities include a clubhouse, tennis courts, and parks and dams filled with natural wildlife.
Glenferness AH - median price R3,5 million
Offers large smallholdings with some ranging to over 25ha with stunning homes, priced from R6 million to around R30 million. Close to the Kyalami Equestrian Park.
Beaulieu Country Estate - median price R6,2 million
It offers hectare-sized plots interspaced with meandering bridle trails and luxury homes, priced from around R5 million to over R20 million for a large property with stabling and equestrian facilities. Aside from the Beaulieu College Equestrian Academy, the estate also includes stables, show grounds and scenic trails.
Kyalami AH - median price R4,525 million
On offer are mostly small holdings from 1ha to 2,5ha with luxury homes, often with equestrian features such as stabling, paddocks, and more, priced from R4,7 million to R17,5 million.
Glen Austin AH - median price R2,65 million
Also offers small holdings from 1ha to 2,5ha with country houses, often a swimming pool and tennis court, possibly the most affordably priced from R2,7 million to R10 million.