 |
| Dr. Sandy Termotto taking a jump at Ravenwood Plantation. Photo Credit: Erik Olsen Photography |
It is there at the Equestrian Center run by hall of fame jockey, Eddie Maple and his wife, Kate, that spectators find color and excitement at various events such as polo matches, dressage, a hunt chase. All of these and more are featured in the annual Hilton Head U Savannah Equestrian Exposition, presented by Equus Ventures, LLC chaired this year by Eddie Maple. An annual event, it raises funds for local charities, over $215,000 since its inception a few years ago.
This year, the event’s date is Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. Last year’s exposition’s Parade of Breeds included the Saddlebred, Appaloosa, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Palomino, Pasa Fino, Quarter Horse and others.
Spectators will mingle with members of the Lowcountry Hunt, the only mounted fox hunting Club in Beaufort, Jasper and Colleton counties. They ride on private plantations like Ravenwood where the property dates from the 1800’s. The house was built in 1840 and fortunately, not burned during the Civil War. Current owners are Frank and Nina Burke.
As a tribute to South Carolina history, Lowcountry Hunt’s colors are indigo blue and Carolina rice gold. There are over 100 members of the club which is a recognized member of the Master of Foxhounds Association of America.
Another area plantation where early morning riders follow the cry of hounds that chase over fields of rising mist, is Airy Hall owned by Buck and Frankie Limehouse, who even have a polo field on their front lawn. Buck is known for his business acumen and for being named South Carolina’s first secretary of transportation. He has been honored with The Order of the Palmetto Award twice for his distinguished service to the State of South Carolina. He and Frankie are the owners of the well-known Meeting Street Inn, Indigo Inn (transformed from a vintage 1850 indigo warehouse), Jasmine House and Ansonborough Inn, all in Charleston, S.C. as well as other commercial enterprises. He consults on Public Private Partnerships involving government and logistics companies. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he bought Airy Hall when he was 39 years old, over 30 years ago. He and his polo-playing sons are familiar figures at Rose Hill polo matches.
Other plantations that welcome Lowcountry Hunt are Gracefield, Turkey Hill (known for some of the best wing shooting in South Carolina and owned by five generations in the same family); Broxton Bridge and Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark and home to American’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens. The Garden Club of America has called the exquisite 65 acres of gardens, “the most important and most interesting garden in America.” The House Museum was built in 1755, remaining under the same family stewardship for over 320 years. The primary hunt country consists of land in Charleston and Dorchester Counties, containing over 7,000 acres on Middleton Place and Millbrook Plantation. Hunt events are usually followed by a hunt breakfast or involve oyster roasts, tailgate picnics, and other social activities.
The Artists of Sea Pines held their 1st Anniversary Exhibit on April 24, 2013. The exhibit was held at the CSA gallery where a large group of supporters gathered to enjoy wine, canapés and art. During the reception Rosemary Kimball, group coordinator, presented a $500.00 check to Ted Allenbach, chairman of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation.
The 52 members, who also exhibit in the lobby of the CSA Community Center in Sea Pines Center, have quarterly exhibits and donate 10% from sales of their art to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. In the past year the group has donated over $1,000.00. All Sea Pines residents, they hold some “plen-aire” sessions during the year at the Heritage Farm, Lawton Stables and the Forest Preserve. The two gallery locations are a great way to find some very nice local art at reasonable prices.
Real estate sales on the island are trending up. Some areas are experiencing lower inventory. Indigo Run Plantation home sales were up over 25% in March with arguably some of the best values on the island. Island-wide villa sales were up over 28% in March, although prices were not always higher. Sellers should remember that “solds” are constantly being replaced with “new” inventory. Overpriced properties continue to sit. Buyers are looking for properties priced at fair market value. Sellers who are waiting to “get their price” need to consider what that price will be costing them in the interim.
More older properties in good locations are being purchased and renovated: recently a 3BR villa with stunning lagoon and golf views was bought, gutted and taken down to the studs. Many times this kind of project results in the property being placed back on the market for sale after renovation but many owners prefer to keep it for family use as a vacation home, possibly a rental property. One buyer purchased a large “spec” house, basically from the house plans, when only the footings were in. It was priced around $2.4 million. We’re seeing more “spec” building again, which speaks to a more stable market.
There is definitely a renaissance taking place on Hilton Head. Massive infusions of cash are going or have gone into improvements all over the island. The new owners of the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa recently unveiled a $30 million renovation. Their meeting planners believe they can attract more national and global events. Group and business travel represents about half of the Westin’s business.
Other renovations and improvements include the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, the Omni Hilton Head Resort, Sonesta Resort, and The Beach House (the former Holiday Inn). Sea Pines Resort’s owner, Virginia-based Riverstone Group has already spent some $30 million on resort improvements with another $30 million to $50 million to be spent. A lot of this activity has to do with keeping the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing and the over $80 million the golf tournament generates for our area. A very nice memory, indeed.
To contact Diann: diannwilk@roadrunner.com
