Nestled in Amagansett, the Stony Hill Stables are a historic part of the Hamptons horse set, managed and operated by the Hotchkiss family for more than five decades. 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 East End community. “Our mission is to serve the community by providing affordable quality riding lessons, board and equine programs to residents, as well as to maintain the equestrian heritage of our facility through conservation, maintenance and beautification of our buildings and grounds,” shares a rep for the 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.

Launched last summer, The Stony Hill Stables Foundation offers children and young adults the opportunity to get full-scholarship professional equine training and the opportunity to compete. Stony Hill is the ONLY stable in Long Island to offer this unique horse-riding program, and many ribbons have been won at prestigious horse shows by their hard-working scholarship recipients.

In celebration of the success and continued support of the Stony Hill Stable Foundation, a Benefit Cocktail Party will be held on the evening of Saturday, June 29^th from 6 – 8 pm on the pastoral grounds of Stony Hill Stables, located in Amagansett on Town Lane.  Attendees will enjoy a special Dressage Exhibition, performed by Grand Prix Riders, as well and an exciting Pony Drill Team Performance, performed by the talented young riders of Stony Hill Stables!

What is a Dressage Exhibition? 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.

Tickets for the Second Annual Stony Hill Stables Foundation Benefit are priced at $125 for a single ticket, $200 for a couple. Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line. Contributions are gratefully welcome:  Stony Hill Stables Foundation, P.O. Box 283, Amagansett, NY 11930 or www.stonyhillstables.com.

For more information about Stony Hill Stables and the Stony Hill Stables Foundation, please visit the website or call: 631.267.3203.

Scholarship applications for the 2013 season are currently being accepted and will be awarded in the following training levels:

• Beginner’s lessons                                    ages 5 and up
• Young Riders/ Horse Camp                    ages 6 and up
• Short Stirrup Camp                                  ages 6 and up
• Adult Hunter                                             ages 10 and up
• Dressage Training                                    ages 10 and up

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.  Scholarship applications are available at www.stonyhillstables.com