January 6–10, 2027 | Southern Pines, North Carolina

Escape the Northeast winter and immerse yourself in the heart of American horse country.

Join us in Southern Pines, North Carolina for five days of exceptional riding, foxhunting, cross-country training, and Southern hospitality in one of the most remarkable equestrian communities in the country.

This is not simply a winter riding getaway. Southern Pines is a place where horses are woven into the landscape and daily life. Miles of sandy lanes, historic hunt country, world-class equestrian facilities, and a deep foxhunting tradition make the Sandhills a destination unlike anywhere else.

Our itinerary brings together some of the very best of the area: two days hunting with the legendary Moore County Hounds, two days of hacking through the extraordinary Walthour-Moss Foundation, and a private cross-country clinic with a talented professional event rider based in Southern Pines.

And in January, while the Northeast is deep in winter, Southern Pines offers a wonderfully different kind of riding weather—with average daytime highs in the mid-50s and plenty of beautiful, crisp days made for being outside.

Come spend a few days where the pace is slower, the trails are sandy, the horses are everywhere, and the sporting tradition runs deep.

THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

This trip has been designed for riders who want to experience the full breadth of Southern Pines horse country.

Over five days, you'll experience:

🦊 Two Days of Foxhunting with Moore County Hounds

🌲 Two Days of Hacking at Walthour-Moss Foundation

🏇 Private Cross-Country Clinic with a Professional Event Rider

Whether you're an experienced foxhunter, an eventer looking to sharpen your cross-country skills, or simply an adventurous rider looking to experience somewhere completely new, this trip offers something special.

HUNTING WITH MOORE COUNTY HOUNDS

Foxhunting is at the heart of Southern Pines, and we are thrilled to spend two full days in the field with Moore County Hounds.

Established in 1914, Moore County Hounds is the oldest recognized pack of foxhounds in North Carolina and has become an integral part of the sporting culture of the Sandhills. The hunt is known for its beautiful Penn-Marydel hounds, exceptional country, and the camaraderie that makes a day in the field so memorable.

One of the wonderful things about hunting in Southern Pines is the variety of ways to experience the day.

The hunt offers multiple flights, allowing riders to choose a group that suits their preferred pace and experience. For those looking to ride forward and experience the excitement of following hounds at speed, there are options to move on through the country. For riders who prefer a quieter day, there are more relaxed options as well.

Jumps are optional, allowing riders to choose how they want to experience the hunt.

Whether you're looking to chase hounds at a faster pace or enjoy a more leisurely day following the field, these hunts offer a wonderful introduction to the sporting traditions of Southern Pines.

The Moore County Hounds hunting territory includes the extraordinary Walthour-Moss Foundation, as well as other beautiful Sandhills country.

WALTHOUR-MOSS FOUNDATION

There are places you ride once and immediately understand why equestrians have been drawn there for generations.

Walthour-Moss is one of them.

Spread across more than 4,000 acres just outside Southern Pines, the Walthour-Moss Foundation is a protected expanse of longleaf pine forest, sandy lanes, open country, and winding equestrian trails. The Foundation was originally established to preserve the land for equestrian use and continues to attract riders and drivers from around the country.

For two days, we'll explore this remarkable property on horseback.

Expect long, beautiful hacks through quiet pine forests, sandy lanes, open stretches of country, and the distinctive landscape of the North Carolina Sandhills.

It's the kind of riding that encourages you to slow down and simply enjoy your horse.

No arenas. No traffic. No city.

Just miles of beautiful country and the rhythm of a horse beneath you.

CROSS-COUNTRY CLINIC

We'll also spend a day developing our riding skills with a professional event rider based in Southern Pines.

This private cross-country clinic will be tailored to the group and designed to help riders become more confident and effective jumping in open space.

Whether you're an experienced eventer or simply want to become more comfortable riding forward in the open, this will be an exciting opportunity to learn from a professional in one of America's great eventing communities.

WHY SOUTHERN PINES?

There are equestrian towns, and then there are places where the entire community seems to revolve around the horse.

Southern Pines is the latter.

The Sandhills have long been shaped by foxhunting, racing, eventing, show jumping, carriage driving, and pleasure riding. Horses are part of the landscape, from the historic hunt country surrounding the town to the miles of protected trails at Walthour-Moss.

It's also home to an extraordinary concentration of equestrian talent, professionals, farms, trainers, riders, and sporting traditions.

For an MRC rider, it's a chance to step into a completely different equestrian world for a few days—and experience it from horseback.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations are not included in the cost but we are here to help arrange the best possible options for our riders. If we have a big enough group we have a connection to Twin Field Estate- which could be a really cool place to stay! Otherwise there are a number of B&B's, hotels and Airbnb's to look into!

THE WEEK AT A GLANCE

Wednesday, January 6

Arrival in Southern Pines

Arrive in Southern Pines and prepare for your first afternoon ride at Walthour-Moss. This is a great chance to see the terrain in Souther Pines and get to know your horse in one of the most beautiful settings, exploring miles of sandy lanes and peaceful pine forest.

From the hack we will head to the Moore County Kennels to meet the Huntsman and the hounds! Get a behind the scenes look at the hunt before joining in the field. 

Afterward we'll gather for a relaxed welcome evening and dinner and prepare for several days of exceptional riding.

Thursday, January 7

Moore County Hounds

It's time to hunt!

Spend the day in the field with Moore County Hounds, experiencing the excitement, tradition, and camaraderie of foxhunting in Southern Pines.

With multiple flights and optional jumping, riders can choose the experience that best suits their goals and comfort level.

Each hunt has a wonderful breakfast to follow with good food, company and libations!

Friday, January 8

Cross-Country Clinic

Spend the day riding with a professional event rider and developing your cross-country skills.

This will be an opportunity to build confidence, improve your technique, and experience some of the terrain and obstacles that make Southern Pines such an important destination for eventers.

Saturday, January 9

Moore County Hounds

Another day of exceptional hunting! Stick in your field or possibly move up if you're feeling adventurous. Each hunt has a wonderful breakfast to follow with good food, company and libations!

Sunday, January 10

Walthour-Moss Hack

Our final day brings another opportunity to experience the Sandhills from horseback with a beautiful hack through Walthour-Moss 

A fitting way to finish an unforgettable few days in horse country.

THE EXPERIENCE

This trip is about more than the riding.

It's about waking up somewhere horses are part of everyday life.

It's about crisp winter mornings, sandy trails, pine forests, hounds in full cry, beautiful horses standing quietly outside the trailers, and long afternoons spent talking about horses with fellow riders.

It's about experiencing a place that has developed its own distinct equestrian culture—and becoming part of it for a few days.

Level 3A+

This trip is designed for riders who are comfortable riding independently at all three gaits in open space and who have experience riding outside of an arena.

Hunting and cross-country activities will be matched to rider experience, with different options available throughout the trip.

Prior foxhunting experience is required, and riders will need proper uniform.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Two days of hunting with Moore County Hounds
• Horse hire for both hunting days
• Hunt arrangements and MRC support
• Two days of hacking at Walthour-Moss Foundation
• Horse hire for Walthour-Moss hacks
• Private cross-country clinic with professional event rider
• All riding arrangements
• MRC trip coordination and support

THE WINTER ESCAPE

Leave New York behind for a few days and trade frozen arenas for sandy trails, pine forests, hound music, and beautiful Southern horse country.

January in Southern Pines is winter—but it doesn't have to feel like it.

Come ride somewhere new.

Come hunt.

Come learn.

Come spend a few unforgettable days in the Sandhills.

Don't miss this winter escape. 🐎🌲🦊