VALDOSTA — Spanish Moss Stables brings an equestrian tradition from across the pond to South Georgia.

Specializing in the English tradition of the hunter/jumper horseback riding, Kellie and Joel Hunt opened the stables after their daughters started riding horses. 

Originally, the Hunts had their daughters practicing horseback riding at other horse stables, but decided to go all in and open their facility.

The hunter/jumper riding tradition is based on the English fox hunt, Kellie Hunt said. It is the European version of the American rodeo.

She said at the competitive level, the English tradition emphasizes dress of the rider, the skill of the rider, how effectively the rider communicates with his or her horse, how effectively the horse interprets the rider’s signals, etc.

In the English tradition, the communication a rider has with his or her horse should be very technical and use fine movements, Kellie Hunt said. A judge should not be able to discern which signals the rider is using to communicate with the horse.

At Spanish Moss, Kellie Hunt and her team of trainers work with students on the hunter/jumper and dressage traditions. Spanish Moss has several riding areas including a covered, lighted arena and an outdoor arena.

Kellie Hunt and her staff are a part of a team that travels the Southeastern United States competing in shows to win medals, she said. The Spanish Moss show team is open to students as well, and is always looking for new members.

While the Hunts originally had their children working with a different stable, Kellie Hunt is no stranger to working with horses. She said her goal is to compete in the Olympics. 

In the last competition season, she placed within the top 40 riders in the nation and was eligible to compete in the national tournament to determine the number one rider in the U.S.

Kellie Hunt elected not to compete in the national tournament last year but plans to continue chasing her dreams.

For Joel Hunt, the relationship between a horse and its rider is something special, he said. When a rider and his or her horse interact, it is building a relationship that transcends human relations. 

It is a relationship that “offers the opportunity to learn responsibility, biology and science, hard work, confidence, all while developing a bond with an animal that has been the best friend to many. Plus, you are outdoors, which is good for almost anyone,” he said.

“Horse riding connects us with something from our past. We are outside and rustic, enjoying the most useful trainable animal on the planet.”

Along with the relationship between horse and rider, Joel Hunt looks at this as one more way for Valdosta to continue to earn its name as TitleTown USA, he said. By introducing a new competitive sport for residents to participate and succeed, Joel Hunt said he hopes to add one more notch on the area’s belt for sports.

Along with lessons, Spanish Moss Stables offers horse boarding.

Joel Hunt is an engineer and said he designed the stables himself. He designed each stall to allow proper airflow while still protecting the horse from the elements. Along with a place to keep the horses, boarders will have access to a temperature-controlled space for feed and tack.

Near the covered arena, there is a temperature-controlled building designed for the family of riders, Joel Hunt said. The building was created as a waiting area for family and small children so they do not have to be outside the entire time a child or family member ride at the facility.

The building has seating and windows so family and friends can see the covered arena while still staying cool.

When building the stables, the Hunts looked to their family heritage when naming the fields.

Kellie Hunt is from Pennsylvania and named three of the riding fields after the Pennsylvania state lines; Joel Hunt, a Georgia native, named the other three fields in a similar manner.

Traveling to the parking area, Spanish Moss Stables lives up to its name. There are trees covered in Spanish moss throughout the property.

Joel Hunt said that he and Kellie chose the name because of the live oak trees and the moss in the area. They wanted to keep the natural coverage of the trees and moss, and to keep a more natural feel to their stables.

Horses aren’t the only animals that can be found at Spanish Moss Stables. Joel Hunt said there is a myriad of animals including goats, chickens, turtles and more to be found throughout the property.

Spanish Moss Stables, 3615 Sermons Lane, is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment only Saturday. For more information, call (443) 768-5430 or find Spanish Moss Stables on Facebook.  

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.