Georgia Magazine - August 2023 - 27

Around GEORGIA By Amber Lanier Nagle
Riders at Dillard House Stables can give
themselves (and their friends) a refreshing
splash from the Little Tennessee River.
Happy trails
Georgia off ers great riding opportunities for horsin' around
A
s family members rummaged through
the artifacts stored in the dim, dusty attic
of Rabun County's Rock House Inn (also
known as the original Dillard House, a circa-1917
boardinghouse) years ago, someone discovered
an ancient pamphlet.
" It was an old Dillard House brochure, and
it mentioned that the fee for a horseback-riding
adventure back in the 1930s was all of 50 cents, "
says Pam Thompson, who has managed the Dillard
House Stables since 1989. " For over a century, guests
have been coming here to ride-traveling the same
trails on horseback and looking at the same barn. "
Thompson remembers a couple coming to ride
horses with their daughter in one of her first years at
the Dillard House Stables.
" The parents would ask their daughter where
she wanted to go on vacation, and she'd always say
she wanted to come here and ride the horses, so
they did-every year, " Thompson recalls. " I watched
her grow up. Now she has a family of her own, and
she brings her children here to share the same
happy horseback-riding experiences her parents
shared with her all those years ago. "
The Dillard House Stables is just one of many
Georgia horseback-riding venues where riders and
steeds forge bonds that create priceless memories.
Winding through pristine forests, leading up to
scenic overlooks and meandering near sparkling
waters, horse trails crisscross the state.
So giddyup! Mount that saddle and embark on an unforgettable
equestrian adventure through the state's picturesque landscapes.
Dillard House Stables, Dillard
The experienced guides at the Dillard House Stables usher groups and
individuals along peaceful paths showcasing lush, leafy forests and sweeping
mountain views-all on one of the stable's gentle giants. One-hour
Scenic Farm Rides are perfect for beginners (with a minimum age of 7),
but on the hot and humid days of summer, many riders have something
else in mind.
" Our River Rides are very popular for riders [age 10 and older] and
all levels of experience, " Thompson says. " From the barn, riders cross the
valley, and, depending on the water level, they can guide their horses down
the middle of the Little Tennessee River. They can splash each other and
cool off, and from up high they have the opportunity to really take in the
trees and wildlife-deer, waterfowl and great blue herons. "
The Dillard House Stables also offers private outings and parent-led
children's rides for kids as young as 3, when suitable horses are available.
For families and couples looking to make a weekend of it, the Dillard House
offers guest accommodations, a restaurant filled with homemade Southern
fare, zip lining, rafting and more.
Roosevelt Stables at FDR State Park, Pine Mountain
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt fell in love with the area near
Warm Springs and Pine Mountain, and horseback riders have fallen in love
with it, too. Roosevelt Stables offers 28 miles of trails for riders age 6 and
older of all skill levels, but it also offers two unique riding experiences.
MORE
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KURTIS MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
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Georgia Magazine - August 2023

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