About Us
Riverplains Farm has been in the family for generations. Living on the farm means it is a 24/7 operation. The barn is never closed and the work is never done. Crops are grown on the lower portion of the farm with the horses on the top side. With over 400 acres the horses get trained in a variety of situations that prepare them for the hunt field to the show ring. Full boarding and field boarding are also available.
Over the years Riverplains has had many different faces.
Throughout the 1980's, the Volunteer Carriage Club held many carriage drives and Fun Days on the farm.
In the early 1990's, it was the home field for the Sassafras Polo Club. Offering the Knoxville area a chance to view exciting polo matches at its finest along the Holston River.
Since 1989, Riverplains has been a permanent fixture for the Tennessee Valley Hunt Club and for many years hosted the TVH Hunter Paces & Point-To-Point Races and for the first 16 years hosted the traditional Blessing of the Hounds on Thanksgiving Day.
For many years in the 1990's it was the prime location for multiple Combined Driving Events.
Riverplains Farm has been the back drop for countless equestrian photos that have appeared in various magazines in the United States and in Great Britain.
From the fall of 2003 to spring of 2006 Ms. Smith worked with many of Riverplains young stock by Syrian Spirit that were ready to start their carers in the hunter/jumper and eventing world. Young horses are brought along at an individualized rate from local shows to the A circuit and recognized events.
Foxhunting is still a favorite activity at Riverplains and multiple horses and ponies are started in the hunt field every season.
about us
-
-
Jake & George Niceley the couple who started it all!
-
Frank & Cyndie Niceley at a polo match on the farm in the early 1990's.
-
Bill Niceley driving his favorite horse Willy!
-
Rachel Niceley driving her pony pair.
-
Dara Lindner- Guest Trainer
Life at Riverplains
-
Bill Niceley riding at one year old!
-
Bill encouraging Rachel to ride at the age of 2, its a family affair!
-
The beautiful Cyndie!
-
Polo Match at Riverplains 1993.
-
Foxhunters coming down the hill.
-
Babies taking a snack!
-
View from the gelding pasture looking to the North.
-
View looking towarads the West.
-
Riders from Riverplains getting ready to hunt.
-
Guinea Hen.
-
Watermelons grown on the farm.
-
Frank following the hounds on the farm.
-
Frank & Cyndie
-
Carriage driving during half time at a polo match on the farm.
-
Cantolopes grown on the farm.
-
Frank driving a pair of Riverplains horses in the Oprea Aida.
-
Hauling hay in the old days.
-
Taking a refreshing dip in the pond.
-
Bill training a mule.
-
Training a horse for a pack trip.
-
Bill competing Willy in a CDE.
Facilites
*Carriage House*Main barn:
20 wooden box stalls
Stallion Stall
*Large tack room with lounging area.
*Office with handicap accessible bathroom & shower.
*Laundry room.
*5 stall visitor barn.
*Foaling stalls.
*Covered training area.
*90ft round-pen with sand footing.
*150 x 250 grass arena.
* 2 mile exercise track.
*Miles of exercising loops along the Holston river for galloping or carriage driving.
*6 furlong pseudo steeplechase track with logs varying from 2' to 3'.
* Coops and logs throughout the farm.
*6 indoor grooming stalls (under construction).
* Wash rack with hot & cold water.
*Horse Trailer parking.