Stony Hill Stables, owned and operated by the Hotchkiss family for more than five decades, announces the launch of the newly formed Stony Hill Stable Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with the express purpose of promoting equine sports through riding education and competitive opportunities for children and young adults in the local residential East End community.

The family’s intent is to create a truly unique environment that fosters equine sport, a sense of belonging and a love of animals within the community of East Hampton. Its mission is “to serve the community by providing affordable quality riding lessons, board and equine programs to residents as well as to promote and maintain the equestrian heritage of its equestrian facility through conservation, maintenance and beautification of its buildings and grounds.”

In celebration of the launch of the Stony Hill Stable Foundation, a Benefit Cocktail Party will be held on the evening of Saturday, June 30^th from 6 – 8 pm at Stony Hill Stables, located in Amagansett on the bucolic Town Lane.  Attendees will enjoy a special Dressage Exhibition as well and an exciting Pony Drill Team Performance!

Wick Hotchkiss, second-generation owner of Stony Hill Stables says, “As both an active member in the equestrian world and local Amagansett resident, it has been my life-long dream to make the equestrian experience more accessible in our community.  I understand that seriously pursuing equine sport can be expensive.  Todays’ families need to make tough choices. It is important to me that local children still have the opportunity to ride. The Stony Hill Stable Foundation was created to give back to the community by providing equine facilities for equestrian programs which hopefully will facilitate the growth of the sport on the East End.”

Hotchkiss shares, “The mission of the new Stony Hill Stables Foundation is to promote equine sports, riding education, good sportsmanship and provide children and young adults with a healthy, life enhancing experience.  Full scholarship will be awarded in Dressage and Hunter/Jumper Equitation Skills.”

What is dressage?

Dressage, (pronounced dr –säzh) is the art of training a horse that yields the highest level of obedience, flexibility and balance. Often referred to as “Horse Ballet”, dressage enables the horse to perform movements in sequences that are judged at both national and international competitions, such as the Olympics.

*As many as 8 scholarships are to be awarded in the following training levels; two scholarships at each level:

• Children’s Short Stirrup                              ages 6 – 10
• Youth Horse Program                                 ages 10 -18
• Adult Hunter/Jumper                                   ages 18 – 26
• Dressage Training                                       ages 12 and up

Details: Scholarship funding could include the lease of a pony/horse, boarding and training lessons over a seasonal semester.  Scholarships will cover a 4-month season: June-September, October-January.   Local residents of Montauk, Amagansett, East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Southampton and West Hampton are encouraged to apply.  Scholarship applications are available at Stony Hill Stables, located at 268 Town Lane, Amagansett.

Tickets for the Benefit Cocktail Party are priced at $125 for a single ticket, $200 for a couple.  Contributions are gratefully welcome:  Stony Hill Stables Foundation, P.O. Box 283, Amagansett, NY 11093.

**For more information about Stony Hill Stables and the Stone Hill Stable Foundation, please visit: www.stonyhillstables.net or call 631.267.3203

More about Stony Hill Stables:

Stony Hill Stables are located on ten acres of agricultural land in Amagansett.  Currently Stony Hill stables over 30 horses and ponies and also employs 28 local people during the peak Summer months with over 230 students taking riding lessons each year.  The stable provides four unique levels of training – Young Riders Camp, Horse Camp, Adult Hunter/jumper training and Dressage training, and competitive showing.  Stony Hill is a public stable providing a unique offering to local residents to enroll in these activities year round, including after school at a substantially reduced rate.