“Go big or go home” could be the motto of Carolyn Mackintosh—but in her case, home is exactly what she has made big. Loch Moy Farm, nestled in the heart of Maryland horse country, is a premier eventing facility that spans over 260 acres. What began as a family farm has become a destination for eventers of all levels.
Growing up, Carolyn had the ultimate playground for living out her horse dreams. She was raised in Bethesda, Maryland, but spent her weekends on the family farm. Loch Moy Farm was named by her father in honor of their Scottish ancestry. Like the Scottish Highlands, the land is rich in heritage, with a sweeping, scenic landscape. “As the only girl among five brothers, the horses were my closest companions,” Carolyn said. “There were always chores to do, but I didn't mind—I loved being outside and feeling part of the rhythm of the farm.”
Carolyn’s grandmother was another formative influence, helping ignite her early passion for horses. “When I was 8, my grandmother took me to see the Lipizzaner stallions, and I was completely mesmerized,” she said. “Watching those horses perform with such beauty and precision sparked something in me that never faded.”
Carolyn’s journey with horses continued at boarding school, where she rode hunter-jumpers. College then took center stage and after graduation, she stepped away to build a life of her own, eventually circling back to the farm years later with a family in tow. “I was originally on track to finish my master's degree in architecture, but that plan changed when I had four children to raise. Life took a different direction—but in many ways, I've still been able to fulfill that creative drive here at Loch Moy Farm,” she said.
After college, Carolyn gained experience working for the government in a high-demand role that ultimately didn’t align with raising a young family. That realization led her back to her educational roots, where she teamed up with a former classmate to start a commercial design firm. One of their notable projects was the American Horse Council headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Though the work was exciting, the farm was calling, and Carolyn’s journey eventually led her home. “Years later, after getting married, raising four children and eventually moving back to the farm, life came full circle for me,” she said.
Being a landowner comes with a lot of responsibility, both physically and financially, and Carolyn embraced it fully. “My mom was truly my very first and most devoted volunteer. After my dad passed away, she gave me the farm, and I had to figure out how to hold onto it and make it sustainable. I realized that building an eventing facility could be a way to pay the bills and keep the farm going,” she said. Carolyn’s career with horses has been more on the ground than in the saddle. Early on, she focused her energy on supporting her daughters’ equine pursuits. “When my children were young, I wanted them to grow up with the same freedom and connection to the land that I had. So, I made sure there were always horses and ponies in the barn,” Carolyn said.
“Every horse I've had has taught me something valuable—patience, humility, resilience, and the importance of listening,” she continued. Having children who ride is always a challenge when it comes to safety. With multiple kids in the saddle, Carolyn did her best to balance caution with letting them learn and grow. “When my daughters began riding, the horses we brought home were often borrowed, green or a little quirky. Those horses were some of the best teachers we ever had. They reminded us that progress doesn't come from perfection—it comes from time, consistency and understanding.”
All three of her daughters, Alex, Elisabeth and Kristin, rode, while her son, Billy, chose a different path. It was her middle daughter, Alex, who truly took to it. “Alex joined Pony Club and fell in love with eventing. That is where our family’s eventing journey really began,” Carolyn said. “Riding with and watching my daughters ride reminded me why I loved this sport—the trust, the partnership, the simple joy of being outdoors. My family gave me the reason to build something lasting at the farm.”
When developing a premier equestrian destination, it’s essential to start with a solid foundation. “Build it and they will come” was a motto Carolyn stood by as she brought in course designers such as Mark Phillips, Ian Stark and Andrew Heffernan. Over the years, each designer has left a distinct mark on Loch Moy. “I have been inspired by my course designers, course builders and everyone that makes Loch Moy what it is today,” Carolyn said.
In 2006 Carolyn hosted her first event at Loch Moy Farm and has not looked back. “I quickly learned just how much work goes into running an event—and that it takes an army of volunteers to make it all happen,” she said. Loch Moy Farm is the home of the Maryland Horse Trials and offers recognized and schooling horse trials, dressage shows, clinics and a variety of other events. Originally her friends and family were the volunteers, but it quickly became apparent to her that a larger pool of volunteers was needed.
“Running a top-level competition venue is never easy, but it's incredibly rewarding. Over the years, I've learned that success comes from surrounding yourself with passionate people and constantly looking for ways to improve and give back,” Carolyn said. True to form, Carolyn saw a need and came up with a solution. “I spearheaded Eventing Volunteers, a platform that allows people to sign up online and tracks volunteer hours across the country. It started as a way to recognize and reward the incredible volunteers who made Loch Moy events possible—but it grew far beyond that. Now it's used nationwide and in the UK, helping organizers connect with volunteers and celebrate their contributions to the sport.”
Carolyn also founded the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation (MIEF) to give back to the sport she has poured her heart into. Its mission is to promote, preserve, and support equestrian sport in Maryland—from grassroots programs to upper-level FEI competition.
Throughout it all, one steady volunteer in Carolyn’s life has been her husband, Bob. Carolyn first met Bob in seventh grade, when they went to school together. They reconnected at a high school reunion 20 years ago and have been together ever since. “She has given more to the sport of eventing than anyone could ever imagine,” Bob said. “I could go on and on, but she’d be embarrassed and somehow turn it around to credit me—the guy who cuts the grass and parks trailers at events—instead of taking the recognition herself. She’s a truly amazing woman, and I’m proud to call her my ‘dream girl.’”
Free time doesn’t come around often for Carolyn, but when it does, she spends it with her family. “I love spending time with Bob, my four kids and my four wonderful grandkids. They keep me laughing and remind me what’s most important,” she said. Though her children now ride only recreationally, they’ve gone on to build full lives of their own with their families.
Even in her spare moments, Carolyn never strays far from her lifelong focus on horses. “Traveling is another joy of mine, especially taking horse trips with my daughters,” she said. “Exploring new places together and sharing those experiences through horses has become one of my favorite ways to recharge and stay inspired. I’m very excited about an upcoming family trip to Spain for the total solar eclipse this year and a possible Kenya Horse Safari in 2027 with longtime friend and eventer Lucinda Green.”
Most recently, Carolyn has partnered in horse ownership with top-ranked eventer Caroline Pamukcu. Through that collaboration, she has experienced travel to the Olympics and major events across the country. “Watching horses you’re connected to is incredibly rewarding,” Carolyn said. “It gives you a whole new appreciation for the dedication and teamwork behind the sport.”
Her newly acquired prospect is an Irish Sport horse named HSH Cruising Spirit, aka, Eve. Bred in Ireland, Eve has hit the ground running in the U.S. with multiple top-three finishes and several successful CC12* competitions. “With Eve’s breeding and talent, the sky is the limit for this mare and I’m very excited to be a part of her journey,” Carolyn said.
To give acknowledgement to breeders and to showcase young horses bred specifically for the sport, Carolyn started the Bred to Event Classic at Loch Moy, now in its third year. “The program bridges the gap left by the former Future Event Horse series and serves as a natural prelude to the USEA Young Event Horse program. Each of these projects represents the heart of what we’re trying to do at Loch Moy: build a stronger, more inclusive future for eventing,” Carolyn said.
Carolyn is a true ambassador for the sport of eventing and continues to deliver high-quality programming at Loch Moy. She does her homework, studying what works at other venues and bringing those ideas back home. Having attended all seven five-star events, along with major competitions across the United States, each experience has fueled her drive to be the best she can be. “I always come home thinking about how we can make things better here at Loch Moy Farm—how we can improve the experience for riders, spectators and volunteers alike,” she said.
Growing her family farm into a premier eventing facility has been a lifelong journey for Carolyn. “Each event has taught us something new—how to improve footing, enhance safety, create better courses and build a place riders love coming back to. The evolution has been slow and steady, driven by a passion for excellence and the desire to serve the sport,” she said.
Carolyn’s creative vision and professional background continue to shape the very fields of the farm she grew up on, still the ultimate playground for living out her horse dreams. “Horses have shaped my life in the best possible way,” she said, “And being able to share that joy and give back to the eventing community is the greatest reward of all.”
For more information visit themarylandhorsetrials.com
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