Tucked away in the western-most part of rural Madison County, away from the hustle and bustle of Jackson and its surrounding suburbs, Providence Hill Farms has long been one of Madison’s best-kept secrets.
For years, the county’s premier spot for equestrian sports and championship bass fishing has remained hidden, known only to a handful of riding enthusiasts and local patrons.
All of that is soon to change, thanks to the addition of a world-class clay-shooting facility and clubhouse that has already attracted more than 200 members since it opened in February.
“We’re more than excited,” Providence Hill owner and operator Jamie Martin says. “2020 is setting up to be a huge year for us.”
The 20-minute drive from the heart of Ridgeland to Providence Hill is one of the prettiest in the metro area. Located on sleepy Carsley Road, about five miles west of Hwy. 49, the farm springs into view as you travel south past a wooded area just north of the property.
Visitors making their initial trip to will first notice the stable, which looms large like a giant mansion for horses that overlooks one of the four lakes on the property.
Inside the stable are 36 heated stalls, indoor and outdoor wash racks, grooming stalls and heated and air-conditioned tack rooms, plus offices for employees and a lounge.
Beside the stable is a pair of grass footing arenas, a separate covered arena and a covered European Walker with an enclosed round pen. Behind it sits the Grand Prix jumping field with a bank, water jump, natural log jumps and more than 35 other obstacles.
Above the stable are two furnished apartments, both available for guests to stay, with a balcony overlooking the lake out front.
The staff provides professional and personalized lessons for riders of all levels - from beginners through advanced show competitors - throughout the year. They also offer full training boarding, which includes four days per week of a full grooming service, plus general boarding services for horses and riders in the farm’s training and lesson programs.
The equine facilities really are top-notch, but they are far from the only outdoor activity venue Providence Hill provides. The natural beauty of the landscape of rolling hills and lakes provides nearly countless ways to enjoy the outdoors.
For hunters, there are quail and pheasant shoots as well as an eight-machine duck flush. The addition of a 10-station sporting clay course, paired with a five-stand clay range, and shooting ranges for Helice, Skeet and Trap shooting, make Providence Hill a unique spot for gun lovers. There’s also separate ranges for long-range rifle, hand guns and a three-dimensional archery range.
For fishing enthusiasts, there are four lakes on the property. Each is stocked with a different species of fish, including striped bass, crappie, bream and catfish. Patrons can choose between fly or conventional fishing gear and fish from the shore or by boat.
Most of the amenities have been around for a couple of years, but last February, they all came together with the completion of the state-of-the-art clubhouse. The expansion includes a member’s lounge and locker room, food and beverage services and meeting rooms that are available for all kinds of events.
“People are looking for different event spaces that are casual with plenty of room to spread out,” Martin says. “That’s what we can offer. You can see the outdoors unlike most hotel spaces, and it’s just a fun place to have either a lunch or a dinner, with cocktails afterwards. We have a full bar and kitchen, so there’s not much we can’t accommodate.”
The club has already hosted several weddings and has recently seen an up-tick in corporate meetings, events and retreats. There’s enough on-site lodging for an entire wedding party, and Providence Hill has partnered with several area hotels to accommodate even larger groups.
“The clubhouse has really taken us to another level,” manager Jimmy Grant explains. “Now, around 50 percent of our business is from corporate-type events. We can tie your lunch or dinner into a shoot or fishing, or you can just hold a meeting in one of our beautiful rooms within view of the lake.
“Our problem is that we’re the best kept secret in the world.”
Providence Hill won’t have that problem much longer.
In July, new clubhouse and shooting range will host the 42nd FITASC World Sporting Championship, which is widely considered the world championship of clay shooting.
FITASC is an acronym for the Federation Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse, a French organization founded in Switzerland in 1921 to develop and grow shooting sports.
Its championship has been held at sites around the globe, most recently at the E.J. Churchill Shooting Grounds in the United Kingdom in 2019 and Plancardo, Italy in 2018.
The 2020 event, which is scheduled for July 15-19, is expected to draw more than 1,200 competitors to Providence Hill. An opening ceremony set for Wednesday, July 15 at Mississippi College in Clinton and will include a parade of nations followed by cocktail reception featuring the best food and music Mississippi has to offer.
“It’s really one of the biggest clay-shooting events in the world every year,” Martin said. “We will have dozens of events here during that week and we couldn’t be more excited to host it.”
