Bringing history and European
tradition to The Stables at Fairfields
by Michelle Minnoch

Fairfield Estates, located in King City, is an architecturally controlled community designed to honour the natural beauty surrounding the area. With mature trees, backing valleys and woodland, Fairfield Estates encompasses classically inspired country houses on two to three acre lots.

The Stables at Fairfields, a magnificent hunter and jumper show horse facility of twenty four stalls and indoor riding arena has been built adjacent to Fairfields. It has bridle paths running through Fairfields and grass pastures bordering some of the lots.

The stables were designed by Fairfields creator, Paul F. Anisman and an international team of experts. Built with European tradition in mind, Anisman said he studied stables in Europe and North America for a number of years for the design of this unique facility.

The building’s exterior features a columned portico, palladian windows, limestone and board and batten walls built around a central courtyard. The interior and exterior of the facility was designed to compliment and uphold the integrity of Fairfield Estates. Architectural details of the stables reflect those used at the homes at Fairfields and have a classical European and historic elegance.

The interior features high cathedral ceilings in the stables to help maintain a healthier, brighter environment for the horses and superior air circulation. The stalls are large twelve feet by twelve feet stalls and were custom designed and built specifically for Fairfields. Light buff coloured clay brick pavers were made in Virginia, imported and laid in a herringbone pattern in the interior aisle ways.

The footing at the stables was shipped from England, and is used in facilities in England, Europe, North America, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Anisman said this special footing absorbs some of the shock a horse feels in their hooves and legs when working on the flat and jumping. The footing is a unique riding surface and there is virtually no dust created from riding on it. It has been installed in both the indoor arena as well as in the outdoor schooling ring. This material combined with the specially designed drainage system in the outdoor schooling ring makes this outdoor ring available for use even after a heavy rain storm.

“In other facilities, a heavy rain may mean you cannot use the outdoor ring for up to three or more days. With this footing, you can mount up and go for a ride right after the rain.”

The indoor arena is 80 X 200 feet and features large windows which were installed to let in as much natural light as possible. Large windows can be found throughout the stable as well.

The high ratio of grass and all weather paddocks make this a better and happier environment for show horses as they can be turned out on a daily basis.

The Stables at Fairfields has all of the comforts of home and then some. While there are a few stalls remaining, Anisman said people who do not live at Fairfield Estates can also board their horses at Fairfields subject to availability. For further information on the stables, please contact Robin Howard at (416) 419-5685.

For those interested in purchasing one of the houses or an architecturally controlled two acre estate lot at Fairfield Estates, you can contact Paul McDonald or Jayrene Thomson at RE/MAX York Reality Group Inc. at (905) 727-1941.