Potomac Horse Center Permanently Closing

The Potomac Horse Center, a cherished facility for over 60 years in North Potomac, Maryland, is closing its stable doors. The center has offered lessons, clinics, shows, community events, therapeutic riding, and much more, including jobs for the local population, since 1962.  Their focus on the foundation in their “Mini Mites” program for 5–8-year-old children, as well as their services for riders of all ages, will affect the local horse community in many ways.

See the announcement from the center:

 

From Potomac Horse Center:

April 30, 2024

Dear Potomac Horse Center Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the permanent closing of Potomac Horse Center (PHC),effective Monday, July 22, 2024. PHC is planning for lessons to continue uninterrupted through June 16th, which is the last day of our Late Spring session. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold camp. Should PHC need to adjust this timeline we will let you know.

Since 2017, PHC has tried to renegotiate its 1993 lease with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The tipping point in the negotiations was M-NCPPC’s insistence that the renewal of the lease was contingent on PHC raising three to five million dollars to improve M-NCPPC’s infrastructure with no assurances that PHC would be permitted to remain on the property.

PHC simply cannot ask our clients to pay for and invest in a rapidly deteriorating infrastructure that PHC does not own.

The terms of our 1993 lease are unsustainable under current economic conditions. PHC pays M-NCPPC monthly base rent for use of the facilities plus a percentage of PHC’s net and gross incomes.

Additionally, PHC pays for Capital Improvements, repairs and maintenance of M-NCPPC’s property. The income from our lesson program also has to go to veterinary care, farrier services, hay and grain for the horses, utilities, payroll, insurance, farm equipment maintenance, fuel, and tack. It has become nonviable for our programs to cover the increasingly higher and higher costs of the rapidly aging infrastructure, let alone allow PHC to build up the three to five million dollars required by M-NCPPC to proceed with negotiations.

On June 17, 2024, all assets, including our beloved school horses, are available for sale to approved homes, by appointment only. Starting immediately, prospective buyers can come to try the horses and seeeverything we have for sale. The horses and equipment needed for daily use will remain on the property through June 16th. However, individuals may immediately purchase all other assets including surplus
tack and farm equipment. PHC will accept cash or certified funds only. PHC will not accept personal checks or be able to arrange payment plans.

The Potomac Horse Center main number will not be fielding sales calls or making appointments. For
inquiries, please call (240) 614-3834.

With sincere appreciation,

Nancy Novograd