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The Oaks, Lake City, FL: Field Sport Concepts, Ltd.. and its parent company, McKee Carson, have teamed with affiliate Equestrian Services, LLC to plan and design The Oaks, a 1222-acre site in the Lake City area of Columbia County, Florida. The Oaks has been developed by Bradley N. Dicks and Subrandy Limited Partnership. The goal of the design team is to maintain the agrarian character and quality of place that is in keeping with the surrounding landscape and that sets a precedent for future development in the region. We have identified and will preserve the “high value” landscape features and systems such as wetlands, ponds, and hedgerows. Our design work to date has expanded upon existing landscape features and systems including vegetation and hydrology/drainage, and we have focused on maintaining the diversity of the vernacular landscape. Homesites will be grouped into settlements, each bordering miles of bridle trails and with easy access to Equestrian Recreation Areas (ERA).

Through its additional affiliation with Olympic champions Karen and David O'Connor, Equestrian Services has announced that the project will also become the world's first branded equestrian facility. Modeled after successful branded golf facilities, the O'Connor Signature brand will designate a premier facility that meets the O'Connor Signature standard in terms of planning, design, programming, beauty, quality of construction, and certified professional training, instruction, and management.

Located in northern Florida, in the triangle between Ocala, Jacksonville and Tallahassee, O'Connor Signature at The Oaks will feature:

Bundoran Farm, North Garden, VA: This 2300-acre farmstead located twenty minutes from the city of Charlottesville possesses several notable qualities typical of central Virginia and the Piedmont: rolling pastures, open streams, mature oak/hickory/maple forests, productive apple orchards, miles of horse and hiking trails, and stunning views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. McKee Carson and Field Sport are working together with Qroe Farm Preservation Development and Audubon International on an innovative community that will enjoy, protect and enhance the farm and its adjacent natural amenities. As Qroe Farm's Land Use Philosophy states: 'Good land use must grow from the ground up; that meaningful conservation is done in concert with and not in isolation from the people and the community it is meant to serve; and that the physical and financial preservation of active farming and nature should and can be an integral and vital part of the package...' In order to achieve this balance, house sites have been carefully chosen to take advantage of views without being visible themselves. Lying lightly on the land, the roads and driveways will be as unobtrusive as possible and take advantage of bioswales and bioretention areas to attenuate stormwater flows. Housing types will range from secluded and private to villages of 5-10 houses, all of which will leave at least 80 percent of the land undisturbed, and the farm and orchards in full operation.
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The Fork, Norwood, NC: Master planning for the development of a sporting estate on 1,000 acres located at the confluence of two main rivers in central North Carolina.  Envisioned facilities included a main residence, guest cottages, caretaker accommodations, a lodge, horse breeding, training and event structures, cross-country courses and riding trails, a shooting sport venue and associated farm structures.  Wildlife habitat programs benefiting deer, dove, duck, pheasant, quail and turkey were incorporated into the planning process.  Road alignments and pond design were explored.  Research was conducted regarding the historic and prehistoric significance of the property and recommendations were made on how to preserve and integrate these noteworthy features or events, in an interpretive way, into the overall plantation program.
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Foxfield Race Course, Garth Road, Charlottesville, VA:  Design, master planning, engineering, and supervision of construction of NSA sanctioned steeplechase racecourse, turf course, all official structures and sites, saddling paddocks, spectator and sponsor areas, all parking areas, traffic approaches, entranceways and deceleration lanes, fence line, stable areas, and maintenance buildings.  Planning, organization, coordination and management of all operational and administrative procedures, marketing, sponsorship programs.  Direct management (5 years) of facility, and all event preparation and conduct procedures. (Woolfe) Continued consulting services for grounds and facility. (Woolfe & McKee)
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St. James Steeplechase Race and Combined Event Course, Warrenville, Il: Design, master planning, engineering, and supervision of construction of NSA sanctioned steeplechase racecourse, all racing obstacles, including jumps incorporating live hedges, saddling paddock, officials' observation structures and sites, spectator and sponsor areas, stabling, parking areas, traffic approaches and entrances & deceleration lanes, fence-lines, stables and training areas.  Planning, and implementation of race course and event administrative, marketing, sponsorship, and event conduct procedures.  (Woolfe)
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William DuPont Jr. Farms and Estates, Planning and administrative management of thoroughbred racehorse training facilities; steeplechase course and grandstands; stables, breeding facilities, horse show rings and training areas; indoor and outdoor swimming and tennis facilities (including International Competition class grass (Davis Cup) and clay surface courts; fox-hunting and field shooting facilities, kennels; purebred cattle facilities (Santa Gertrudis); agricultural crop and livestock facilities; fair and exhibit facilities.  (Woolfe)
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Meadowbrook Steeplechase Course, Westbury, Long Island, NY: Design, master planning, engineering, and supervision of construction and layout NSA sanctioned steeplechase racecourse, spectator areas, parking areas, traffic approaches and entrances & deceleration lanes, officials' stands, and stables.  Planning, coordination and implementation of administrative, marketing, sponsorship programs.  Supervision of preparation and conduct procedures for racing events. (Woolfe)
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Morven Park Race Course, Leesburg, VA: Schematics for installment of power grids, cables, etc. to accommodate pari-mutuel technology and equipment for pari-mutuel activities at Morven Park. Four years FSC hands-on event management in capacity as acting "Clerk of the Course", two race meetings being the first two horse racing events run with pari-mutuel wagering in Virginia under auspices of The VA Racing Commission. (Woolfe)
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Schelford Farm, Albemarle County, VA: Master planning, design, construction supervision and administrative management of a full service breeding and training farm for thoroughbred horses,  including 24-stall "Belmont" style training stable with a 3/16 of a mile training strip incorporated around stall islands, a one-mile modified figure eight dirt training track, training and breaking rings and corrals, stallion and brood mare stables, breeding shed, paddocks and run-in sheds, and show ring.  Also design, planning and supervision of construction and layout of fence lines, deceleration lanes & entrance, one house site and dwelling. (Woolfe)
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Panorama Farms, Albemarle County, VA: Environmental analysis and master planning for this 1,038-acre rural preservation residential development incorporated clustering of residential areas with the prime focus being retention of family farmland. (McKee)
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The Rocks, Albemarle County, VA: Environmental analysis and master planning for this 642-acre rural preservation residential development incorporated clustering of residential areas with the prime focus being retention of family farmland. (McKee)
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Loftlands Glen, Albemarle County, VA: Environmental analysis and master planning for this 345-acre rural preservation residential development incorporated clustering of residential areas with the prime focus being retention of family farmland. (McKee)
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Ivy Creek, Albemarle County, VA: Environmental analysis and master planning for this 550-acre, large lot luxury residential community with major critical areas left undisturbed for use as wildlife habitat. (McKee)
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Someday Farm, Ruckersville, VA:  This 300 acre farm located in the rolling hills of central Virginia includes a 16 stall barn for dressage and hunter/jumpers and a future foaling barn adapted from an existing cow barn, an enclosed 20 x 60 meter riding arena, a round pen, a service/storage facility, run-in sheds, and a hay barn.  Other facilities include two outdoor arenas, paddocks and turn out fields, a jump field, and riding trails.  The barns will be a center aisle barn designed in a traditional Virginia farm vernacular style with white clapboard siding, green metal roof, and cupola over the juncture of the center and cross aisles. (Blackburn, McKee)
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Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, Wellington, FL: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision for international competition class polo playing fields and irrigation and drainage systems for same, practice fields, grandstands, spectator areas, officials stands, grand prix horse show rings, steeplechase race course, saddling paddock, stables, traffic approaches, parking areas and deceleration lanes.  Planning and implementation of race course administrative, marketing, sponsorship and event conduct procedures.  (Woolfe, Colhoun)
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University of Virginia Polo Center, Albemarle County, VA: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision of the UVA Polo Center.  This extensive complex is considered to be the most complete and best of its kind serving any college or school polo program in the U.S.  The facility includes an international competition class outdoor grass field, a U.S. Polo Association regulation sized and surfaced indoor playing arena, with ample spectator accommodations, a regulation sized and surfaced outdoor arena for competition arena play, stabling, paddock, and practice play & training facilities.  Project also included extensive storm water pond and impoundments, irrigation pumping station, "pop-up" irrigation and underground distribution system for grass field, underground hose watering system for indoor arena, and spray system for outdoor arena. (Colhoun)
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College of Notre Dame of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision for NCAA regulation intercollegiate play Soccer Field.  Project included design, engineering and construction of storm water management pond system for the entire campus in order to properly site the playing fields and provide field irrigation. (Colhoun)
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Garrison Forest School, Garrison, MD: Design, engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation indoor polo field, multi-purpose outdoor arena, and polo training and stabling complex.  Also, design, engineering and construction supervision for the school's hockey, soccer, and lacrosse playing fields and tennis courts.  Project included extensive drainage and surface watering systems for playing areas. (Colhoun)
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Retma Polo Center, San Antonio, TX: Design, master planning engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation, international class playing standard grass field, outdoor arena, practice fields.  Project included design and installation of underground grass field irrigation systems and improvement and updating of existing site and field drainage. (Colhoun)
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Village Farms Polo Club, Gilbertville, NY: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation outdoor field and two practice fields. Project included design and installation of underground water diversion for grass field irrigation systems and improvement and updating of existing site and field drainage. (Colhoun)
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Empire Polo Club, Palm Desert, California: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation outdoor field, regulation outdoor arena, and practice fields.  Project included design and installation of underground irrigation systems for grass fields and spray system for arena. (Colhoun)
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Far Hills Polo Club, Far Hills, NJ: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation outdoor field, including underground irrigation system. (Colhoun)
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Maryland Polo Club, Monkton, MD: Design, master planning, engineering, and construction supervision for two USPA regulation outdoor fields, and regulation outdoor arena, and practice fields.  Project included design, engineering and installation of impoundments and pump station for an existing quarry pond and surface irrigation and water distribution systems for playing areas. (Colhoun)
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Singapore Polo Club, Singapore: Redesigned and supervised construction upgrading of existing polo fields to international play standards.  Project included design, master planning and updating of extensive drainage systems for playing areas. (Colhoun)
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Brandywine Polo Club, Toughkenamon, PA.: Redesigned and supervised construction upgrading of existing polo fields and outdoor arena to international play standards.  Project included design, master planning and updating of extensive drainage systems for playing areas and design of watering system for arena. (Colhoun)
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Landhope Farms Polo Club, West Grove, PA.: Design, master planning, engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation outdoor field and practice field.  Project included design, engineering and installation of impoundments for storm water pond and pump station for surface irrigation and water distribution systems for playing areas.  Drainage and irrigation system engineering included pump station for diversion of supplemental water from adjacent natural stream. (Colhoun)
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Great Meadow Outdoors Foundation Polo Center, The Plains, VA: Design, master planning and engineering for USPA regulation outdoor field, regulation outdoor arena, and practice fields.  Project included arena lighting installations and design of underground irrigation systems for grass fields and spray system for arena. (Colhoun)
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Shannon Hill Farm Polo Center, Libertytown, NJ: Design, engineering and construction supervision for USPA regulation outdoor field, regulation indoor arena, and practice fields.  Project included design and installation of underground irrigation systems for grass fields and spray system for arena. (Colhoun)
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Heronwood Farm, Upperville, VA:  One of Virginia’s premier thoroughbred facilities, the barns at Heronwood Farm exemplify the philosophy of regionalism.  The building forms are derived from local vernacular barn design, but contemporized to reflect the owner’s taste.  Field stone found on site was used extensively.  The project includes yearling and broodmare barns, longeing ring, isolation barns, run-in sheds, hay barns, the farm manager’s residence and staff housing, administrative offices and service buildings.  Several technical innovations are unique to Heronwood, including its low wall ventilation system and state-of-the-art detailing for equine safety. (Blackburn)
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October Hill Farm, Weatherford, TX:  A 218 acre farm designed around the breeding and training of hunters and jumpers.  The program includes a 20 stall barn plus a 4 stall stallion barn with attached breeding shed, a covered riding arena, open riding arena, round pen, service storage facilities and a small residence for farm staff. (Blackburn)
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Morven Stud, Charlottesville, VA:  The scope of work for Morven Stud, a new commercial breeding farm on 1000+ acres on one of Charlottesville’s most prominent historic properties, included three new barns and a new farm entrance gatehouse.  The new yearling barn, broodmare barn, and foaling barn were designed to fit into the historic landscape, while the interiors are innovatively designed and detailed for thoroughbreds.  The foaling stalls were fitted with special padding, ventilation, lighting and heating for newborns.  The project received a 1994 Washington Chapter/American Institute of Architects Design Award of Excellence. (Blackburn)
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Oakhaven Farm, Austin, TX:  Blackburn Architects has been retained to master plan a new horse farm on 90 acres near Austin, Texas.  The farm shall include a 16-stall horse barn, a 2-stall isolation barn, a 5 to 8 stall stallion barn, an enclosed riding arena, an expanded main residence and an enlarged guest house.  The barn is designed to be contemporary but sympathetic to its Southwestern context using the local “Austin stone” and natural wood finishes.  Completion 1997 (master plan), 1999 (barn, paddocks).  (Blackburn)
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Yellow Brick Farm, Millbrook, NY:  Located on 90 acres in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in upstate New York, Yellow Brick Farm was originally a dairy farm and more recently used as a horse farm for polo ponies.  The new owner plans to train hunter/jumpers for use by friends and family for pleasure and trail riding.  An existing dairy barn, dating back two hundred years, will be modified and new barns and arena designed that will be compatible with the surrounding context. (Blackburn)
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Adirondack League Club, Old Forge, NY: Responsible for planning and organization for timber management program of 75,000 acres on a sustained yield basis, harvesting approximately 10,000 acres per year.  Designed and engineered nine miles of private, interconnecting road network and two bridges to service three guest lodges/inns and all club and game preserve facilities. (Colhoun)
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Oak Ridge Race Course, Arrington, VA: Design, comprehensive planning, engineering, and construction supervision for  NSA sanctioned and Virginia Racing Commission approved, regulation standard one-mile dirt racetrack with starting shutes, turf and steeplechase race courses, official's and viewing stands, on-track officials' stand sites, saddling paddock, spectator areas, parking areas, traffic approaches and entrances & deceleration lanes, stable and security areas.  Planning and implementation of administrative, marketing, sponsorship, and event conduct procedures. (Woolfe, Colhoun)
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