Horse riding is popular in SA and there are several notable areas where property buyers with a keen interest in equestrian sport tend to gravitate towards. These include agricultural holding areas and, increasingly, a choice of luxury equestrian estates
Seeff Sandton and Midrand GM Alisha Dippenaar says equestrian estates and smallholdings have done well since the onset of the pandemic. The top area for equestrian property buyers is Kyalami. It is home to premier show grounds and equestrian facilities such as the Inanda Country base and Kyalami Equestrian Park along with stabling, equestrian schools, exercise tracks, trails and outride paths.
Lightstone data shows there was an excellent uptake in equestrian properties in the Johannesburg – Sandton North and Kyalami areas over the past two years with some equestrian estates achieving some of the highest transactions in recent years.
Both Saddlebrook and Beaulieu achieved record transactions in 2021. Saddlebrook achieved 14 transactions compared to nine 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 strong activity in the agricultural areas such as Kyalami AH – 14 transactions in 2021; the highest since 2018, Glenferness – eight freehold transfers, the highest since 2016-2017, and Glen Austin.
Buyers are increasingly looking to get out of the busy cities and those with a love for horses and nature tend to migrate to Kyalami. Dippenaar says, it
is one of 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 Sandton, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Midrand’s doorstep. World-class amenities including business centres, the Mall of Africa, lifestyle centres, medical facilities and hospitals are easily accessible for residents.
Given the unique requirements of equestrian clients, award-winning showjumper and trainer Cath McFarlane recently joined Seeff Sandton as an equestrian consultant.
She says equestrian properties in the Kyalami area offer an unmatched lifestyle with some of the most beautiful scenery and spectacular views towards the Magaliesberg. Prices of these properties tend to range from about R3.5m to R35m, 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 R12.9M
This is a top-end luxury estate with plots of 8,000m2 to 10,000m2 and spectacular homes of 1,000m2, priced from R18m to R100m. Equestrian facilities include stabling, paddocks, jumping arenas, a polo field and scenic bridle paths along the Jukskei River and leisure amenities such as hotels, restaurants, a hospital and schools.
BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE – MEDIAN PRICE R13.1M
The estate offers large plots upwards of 5,000m2 with luxury homes priced from R10m to the upper millions. Vacant land is selling from about R3.4m. Communal features include paddocks and lunging rings, various leisure facilities and Reddford House private school.
SADDLEBROOK ESTATE – MEDIAN PRICE R7.25M
It borders Inanda Country Base 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 R3.5M
Offers large smallholdings, some ranging to more than 25ha with homes priced from R6m to about R30m. Close to the Kyalami Equestrian Park.
BEAULIEU COUNTRY ESTATE – MEDIAN PRICE R6.2M
It offers hectare-sized plots interspaced with meandering bridle trails and luxury homes, priced from R5m to more than R20m for a large property with stabling and equestrian facilities. Aside from the Beaulieu College Equestrian Academy, the estate also offers a scenic trails and a bird sanctuary
KYALAMI AH – MEDIAN PRICE R4.525M
Mostly smallholdings are available ranging from 1ha to 2.5ha with luxury homes, often with equestrian features such as stabling, paddocks and more, priced from R4.7m to R17.5m.
GLEN AUSTIN AH – MEDIAN PRICE R2.65M
On offer are smallholdings from 1ha to 2.5ha with country houses, many with a swimming pool and tennis court, possibly the most affordably priced from R2.7m to R10m.
