A gated 75-acre estate in the heart of Bedminster, New Jersey, hunt country can accommodate an array of equestrian pursuits, with multiple riding arenas and thoughtfully designed modern barns surrounded by meticulously detailed landscaping.
The property draws inevitable comparisons to world-class equestrian properties in Lexington, Kentucky, and Wellington and Ocala, Florida, said Sharon Ortepio of Turpin Realtors, the listing agent for the estate. The design aesthetic merges modern architecture with a traditional feel.
Standout facilities include a 20,000-square-foot indoor riding hall designed by Beyer Blinder Belle that features skylights that span the length of the arena, retractable windows, free-span trusses and a climate-controlled, elevated viewing lounge. An imported 17th-century water trough sits at the hall’s entryway. Outdoors are a more than 5-acre Grand Prix field with natural and traditional obstacles and a 100-foot-by-200-foot outdoor arena with irrigation, extensive drainage and an adjacent gazebo.
A series of barns are outfitted with 20 horse stalls designed by United Kingdom firm Loddon Equestrian Ltd. Each has soft stall mats, an overhead fan and dual doors that provide cross ventilation. The barns all feature a center aisle with radiant-heated rubber floors, along with lofts, heated tack rooms and grooming stalls.
A vintage four-stall barn is adjoined by two renovated cottages, one with two bedrooms and the other with three, designed to house trainers, grooms and other support staff. There’s a separate storage building to house trailers, tractors and other farm vehicles.
An arched pergola bookended by apple trees leads from the stable wings, one of the many features designed by Deborah Cerbone, a Far Hills, New Jersey-based landscape architect who specializes in equestrian site planning. At the end of the orchard alleyway is a modern “Horse at Water” sculpture by British artist Nic Fiddian-Green, the centerpiece of a grand courtyard.
Handcrafted South American hardwood fencing encloses 11 paddocks and a pond provides decoration as well as drainage and irrigation. The property has access to hundreds of miles of riding trails.
“This is an exceptional equestrian estate,” Ortepio said.
Beyer Blinder Belle also designed a four-bedroom main house, which features classic shingle-style architecture that complements the barn buildings. An open-concept living, kitchen and dining area feature walnut wood floors and stone accents. Glass doors take in a pergola-covered stone terrace, firepit, heated gunite pool and pool house with an ensuite bedroom. The home’s primary suite has a gas fireplace and overlooks the pool and gardens. A garage houses two cars.
The property recently came to market for $35 million and would suit an amateur or a Grand Prix competitor, accommodating a hunter/jumper, dressage or polo facility.
The estate at 151 Spook Hollow Road is around 50 miles from Manhattan, in a rural area comprising traditional country estates and farms where traditional fox hunts still take place.
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