Ever since documentation became available that Bouckaert Farm and its property owners, Carl Bouckaert, had been in conversations with developers to assess their 8,000-acre parcel of land for future use, rumors have swirled that the days of equestrian sports at the popular Chattahoochee Hills,, GA venue were numbered.
Carl has now put those rumors to rest, announcing in a press release recently that equestrian events (which include 7 recognized events and some 20-25 other competitions, including schooling shows, hunter/jumper and dressage competitions and community trail rides) would continue at the Farm through, at the very minimum, 2027.
Let’s zoom out just a little before we dive into the future.
The property was first purchased by Carl in 1988, when he foresaw a potential for the land to gain substantial value due to its proximity to Atlanta proper and major throughways. Additionally, the property is only 20 minutes from the Atlanta airport, the busiest airport in the world. He also germinated the idea of a property that could provide opportunity for himself and his family down the road, as a development made for the future.
As a decorated eventer himself, having represented Belgium at two Olympics, two World Championships, and six European Championships — resulting in three team medals — Carl knew he wanted to provide a space for horses on the Farm, and in 2006 what was formerly known as Chattahoochee Hills hosted its first event. It would go on to host the USEA American Eventing Championships as well as Olympic qualifiers, eventually coming under the name Bouckaert Farm a few years ago.
Now, Bouckaert Farm dedicates about 2200 acres to its equestrian facilities, which include a cross country course designed now by Clayton Fredericks (AUS) that runs up through the 4* level. Capt. Mark Phillips, a longtime friend of Carl’s and a longtime course designer prior to his retirement, is also involved as an advisor.
And while future development plans for the property are in the works, there’s one key detail that will help to ensure the future of horses at Bouckaert Farm in perpetuity. Together with other landowners in the area, Carl worked with the city of Chattahoochee Hills and other large landowners to impose a zoning ordinance stipulating that up to 70% of owned land must be designated as green space. Under this categorization, about 5,200 of the acres that make up Bouckaert Farm must be used for this function, an increase after the property was rezoned, by request, under the HM-MU Zoning District at the end of 2025. HM-MU is a Mixed-Use Hamlet district intended for a medium-density, fine-grained mix of uses. It requires high levels of open space preservation within each district.
During a recent open house showcasing the phases of development in the works for the Bouckaert property, plans were shared with attendees for feedback. DMB Development is leading the project, bringing forward a dedicated model of large, high-end projects that also co-exist with natural green space. DMB Development has worked on large mixed-use projects in areas like Arizona, California, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, and North Carolina.
Several hundred comments were received by community members, and among the top comments were those in support of preserving the equestrian property and horse farm for the future.
As for their commitment to hosting events through at least 2027, Carl, who also affirmed this at a horse show at Bouckaert Farm back in 2024 to address the ongoing rumors, and his wife, Suzanne Sitherwood, aren’t wavering. “I mean, who knows what’s going to happen?” Carl said. “But as long as it’s feasible, we will have the equestrian events go forward, although right now we’re only committing through 2027 because we’re not 100% sure whether we’re going to be able to keep it where we have it, or whether we put it somewhere else.”
That “somewhere else” simply being a different portion of the Bouckaert Farm property, Carl clarified. For now, it’s status quo: no definitive development plans breaking ground yet, no imminent changes, and any ‘somewhere else’ would still be Bouckaert Farm, a venue at which many an eventer has built their careers. Carl and Suzanne look forward to welcoming all equestrian event patrons for a long time to come.
