An estimated 5,000 spectators lined Coligny Beach in Hilton Head last weekend to watch the Marsh Tacky horses and their riders sprint to the finish line.
This breed, although an important thread in the tapestry of Lowcountry history, is considered critically endangered, with less than 250 purebred horses left in existence. That’s where the races come in. The Carolina Marsh Tacky Association held its first "Marsh Tacky Beach Run" in 2009 to promote awareness for this historic breed, which was virtually unknown to the public.
Marsh Tacky History
Marsh Tackys evolved from horses originally brought to the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina by Spanish settlers more than 500 years ago. Escapees (and those who were abandoned) from the Spanish herds began to assemble and roam the coastal lowlands and marshes, the strongest of these eventually forming thriving wild herds. As time went on, locals began to capture and use these horses that had become so well-adapted to their environment, and by the time of the American Revolution, Marsh Tackys were the most common horse in the region, well-suited to the swampy terrain of the South Carolina lowcountry.
American Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, known as "The Swamp Fox," and his small band of local volunteers drove back British troops through a series of small surprise attacks where they freed American prisoners, sabotaged communication and supply lines and captured British soldiers. After each attack, Marion’s ragtag band would "vanish" into the swamps, virtually unscathed. The Marsh Tackys were the key to their ability to vanish, as they were at home in the swamps, and the larger European breeds the British rode were apt to panic in the swampy terrain. Marion is considered to be one of the fathers of American guerilla warfare. Side note: Mel Gibson’s character in the movie "The Patriot" is based on the real-life Francis Marion.
Today the majority of Marsh Tackys are owned by old southern hunting families who have had these horses in their families for generations, but that may change as more and more people learn about them and their fascinating history. A bill has been introduced in the South Carolina State Senate to name the Marsh Tacky the State Heritage Horse of South Carolina. Read more about Marsh Tackys here.
As of today, you have 83 days and counting to go under contract and still qualify for the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. The deadline, along with fantastic incentives, means there will be fewer and fewer move-in ready homes available during these last few months, and if you’re planning on building a new-start, you are down to a matter of weeks. So don’t wait until the last minute to pick out your new home - get while the gettin’s good! :)
Click here for a list of move-in ready homes available as of the date of this post
Buy one of our move-in ready single-family homes now through Feb. 28th and get a free stainless steel appliance package, including side by side refrigerator and microwave over range and up to $6,000 toward closing costs. The best part - you only need $99 in earnest money!
Call Rebecca Lingle at (912) 966-2100 or (912) 224-9182 for details
Rob is enamored with the squid salad at Ele, and I’m in love with their creme brulee, so we eat there frequently in spite of the fact that we rarely get out of there without spending over $100.
Each time we go, we say we’ll eat at the bar this time and just order salads and soups and call it a night, but as soon as we get inside, the modern glam atmosphere (emphasis on the glam) casts its spell on us, and we find ourselves sitting at a table, taking our time, drinking cocktails and eating tuna tartare and kobe beef rolls. Of course, we can’t end our evening without espressos and creme brulee, so that’s exactly what we do (or at least that’s what happened last night).
These homes are priced from $99,900 to $112,900, and don’t forget we pay up to $5,000 toward your closing costs, including pre-paids! 100% financing available. Click here for more information.
Not ready to buy, but know someone who might love this home? Refer them to me, and get $500 if they close! Click here.
Four gorgeous Fred Williams resale homes just came on the market in Pooler. All 4 over 2,300 square feet, all under $210,000! Home pictured has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, corian countertops. Master suite features large walk-in closet, garden tub and separate shower, all for $199,900.
We tried Tortuga’s Island Grille in Thunderbolt with some friends this weekend and were impressed. The inside lacks ambiance, but if you want somewhere to sit outside on a warm, sunny day, the little patio tables with umbrellas are perfect! Although you can’t see the river from the patio due to the new too-tall condos, it’s directly accross the street.
The food was fantastic. I ordered the Fish and Eggs plate, complete with fresh, local fish, eggs any way you like them, grits, maduros and a biscuit. Maduros are sweet plantains (similar to bananas) that are sort of pan-seared and caramelized. I would go back just for the maduros. The other dishes looked great too. It was a little pricey for breakfast $8-12 per plate, but my husband and I agreed that the dishes were large enough that we could have split something if we wanted. We had our Doberman, Achilles, with us and he got lots of loving and attention and his own water bowl.
An estimated 5,000 spectators lined Coligny Beach in Hilton Head last weekend to watch the Marsh Tacky horses and their riders sprint to the finish line.
Buy one of our move-in ready single-family homes now through Feb. 28th and get a free stainless steel appliance package, including side by side refrigerator and microwave over range and up to $6,000 toward closing costs. The best part - you only need $99 in earnest money!
Rob is enamored with the squid salad at Ele, and I’m in love with their creme brulee, so we eat there frequently in spite of the fact that we rarely get out of there without spending over $100.
Four gorgeous Fred Williams resale homes just came on the market in Pooler. All 4 over 2,300 square feet, all under $210,000! Home pictured has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, corian countertops. Master suite features large walk-in closet, garden tub and separate shower, all for $199,900.