Mackinac Community Equestrian Center

The Mackinac Community Equestrian Center (MCEC) is nestled away on a beautiful 3.5 acre site on the back half of Mackinac Island. The facility is located across from historic Wawashkamo Golf Course and only a short distance from British Landing.

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The land is leased to the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association for $1 per year from Mackinac State Historic Parks. While looking for a new home for the MHA barn (previously located on Mission Hill downtown), the MSHP was generous enough to offer this lovely piece of land, adjacent to island trails. Previously, this area was the Douseman family farm, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) camp, and a landfill. (The complex to the east of the property is the Mackinac Solid Waste Facility.)

Started in 2011, the stable was built by Mystic Meadows Construction and is a Wick Building. The floors are made of beechwood and the landscaping was done by island resident Jack Barnwell & Barnwell Landscape and Design. The stable currently has 13 box stalls, 7 paddocks, a working round pen, and 100’ x 200’ arena. The facility also provides an education center that is available to be leased  for events, clinics and other equine-related activities.

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The 100’ x 200 outdoor arena is filled with natural sand that was found when the property was first being constructed. Our friends at the Solid Waste Facility sometimes come over and donate their time to help us maintain the vegetation-free sand. It is truly a community facility! The arena is used for lessons, speed and action events, carriage courses and competitions, jumping and flatwork clinics, and horse shows. 

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The wooden turn-out fencing was installed in 2013 by a group of volunteers. All horses get to be outside for the majority of the day and/or night—where they are happiest. Unless the weather is uncomfortably hot or cold or the flies are acting particularly vicious, we try to keep the horses out where they’re happy.

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The three-bedroom caretaker’s cottage was also built in 2011 and houses the stable manager and summer interns.

We love visitors at MCEC! Please see our map and stop by when you are on the island!