Stony Hill Stables in Amagansett has made a name for itself as a family-oriented stable that gives back to the East End community in huge ways. Since its inception in 2011, Stony Hills Stable Foundation has allowed for five to seven scholarships to be given to East End students ages 6 to 17 who qualify for financial need and have the motivation to succeed.
On Saturday, June 21, 2014 Stony Hill Stables hosted their annual benefit program. Families involved with Stony Hill gathered to view the stables and beautifully manicured grounds. Guests sipped on cocktails and incredible hors d’oeuvres prior to the amazing horse shows.
Wick Hotckiss, an USDF gold, silver, and bronze medallist and Stony Hill Stables owner and manager, rode into the ring on beautiful Royal Dancer where she performed a near perfect dressage routine. Maureen Bluedorn informed the audience of how difficult dressage truly was in her opening remarks. Fully aware of the difficulty, I still saw the routine as effortless and without mistakes. Hotchkiss fully lived up to her reputation.
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Hotckiss on Royal Dancer (Photo: Jack Sullivan) |
Smiles on smiles were seen at the Amagansett stables as the Stony Hill Stables Pony Drill Team rode into the ring. Mothers and fathers of the student riders had their cameras at the ready as their children displayed their honed equine skills riding in circles, serpentines, and other orientations. Among the proud parents were Ed Burns and Christy Turlington, who are committee members for the benefit.
Each year, the benefit includes a performance that is out of the ordinary and not traditional for Stony Hill. This year, Taylor Stillwachs displayed her skills on Nacho through Barrel Racing. Nacho and Stillwachs’ quick maneuvers and turns were exciting and impressive.
Finally, Hotckiss returned to close down the evening with a Pas des Deux together with Bailey Thompson on Royal Dancer. Hotckiss rode Ti Amo, who made Royal Dancer, a rather large horse, look like a small pony. Maureen Bluedorn, who owns Ti Amo, joked with the crowd that Bailey would try to make no mistakes while Wick would try to keep Ti Amo from galloping out of the ring.
The program was beautiful and truly indicative of the wonderful community and learning place that has been cultivated at this tremendous Amagansett stable. This year’s benefit reached their goal and is able to fund five scholarships for qualifying students for the summer season, which is a total of four months. Maureen Bluedorn and the Stony Hill Stables team were extremely thankful to the community for their tremendous outpouring of generosity.
For more information on Stony Hill Stables, visit www.stonyhillstables.com.
