Stony Hill Stables in Amagansett opened its fall-winter scholarship program this month, an opportunity for young people with a passion for horses to learn how to ride. At least five merit-based scholarships will be awarded to East End residents based on their academics, athletics, leadership, and community service. Financial need will also be considered. The hope is to welcome the next generation of equestrians regardless of their ability to pay.
“We think it’s very important to give back to this community,” said Amanda Rodriguez, the facility manager at Stony Hill Stables. “We usually start off our scholarship students with 10 half-hour private lessons and then 10 group lessons. Our goal is for the kids to all ride together in one of our after-school groups.” No prior experience is required. “They can come brand new. We start formal lessons at 4 years old. We do mini lessons for kids younger than that.”
Wick Hotchkiss’s family has owned the stables for over 60 years, starting the Stony Hill Stables Foundation and its scholarship program in 2012. Rodriguez’s daughter, Isabel Mitchell, 18, was one of the early scholarship winners 10 years ago. Now, she competes in the Hampton Classic. “This is the first place I started riding. I actually got two different scholarships,” Mitchell said. “The animals –- they’re tricky, but they’re very calming. In the summer I help with the pony camp. Hopefully, I’m going to start teaching soon.”
Mitchell says it’s heartwarming to watch the current scholarship winners learn to ride.
Ever Mazzola, 9, has been riding since she was 6 and is already learning to canter. “It’s exciting. There are pony rides for younger kids and riding lessons and it’s fun to tack up the horses and get them ready,” Mazzola said. “I like all of the horses, but my favorites are Marty and Twist, the two that are here now.” Her instructor, Surrey Bologna, said Mazzola is a natural. “She’s getting good at everything, she really is.”
Una Torres, a 7-year-old scholarship rider, was trotting on Twist last Thursday and hopes to learn to canter next. She said the more you ride, the easier it gets. “When you get used to it, the horse will listen to you more, because it will get used to your voice.”
Stony Hill Stables is open throughout the winter as long as temperatures are above 18 degrees. Scholarship applications can be found on the website under the “SHS Foundation”