*Really nice school horses, well behaved yet responsive; *Beautiful stable in beautiful surrounding; *Very clean barn; *Nice indoor and outdoor arenas; *Full dressage ring; *Impeccable Classic teaching style (to include de Nemethy method from the very beginning); *Excellent instructor (or may be I just got lucky); *Friendly, prompt and very efficient staff; And, *Possibly the most accommodating stable owner in the whole NY State. Even if you live in the city this riding school is worth trying. 45 minutes from Penn Station to Cold Spring Harbor and a short taxi ride is the only thing that separate us from this amazing place. read more

I would not recommend this stable based on our experience. My daughter signed a boarding agreement, paid all of her boarding fees in full, and provided more than the required 30 days' notice that she intended to move her horse. Despite this, she was never provided with a copy of the signed contract. Instead of honoring the notice period, the stable gave her only 24 hours to remove her horse. They also kept her $500 security deposit and retained the unused boarding fees for more than half of the month. This was extremely unprofessional, unfair, and unacceptable. A boarding facility should communicate clearly, provide copies of signed agreements, and treat clients with honesty and respect. Keeping a client's deposit and prepaid fees under these circumstances, while refusing to address legitimate concerns directly, reflects very poor business practices. I hope the stable will improve its professionalism and transparency so that other horse owners do not have a similar experience. read more

Wonderful facility, truly caring horse people, quality horses, big indoor ring, a couple of outdoor rings, grassy hillside, all complimenting an excellent instructor, Laura. This is a terrific stable to learn riding, board a horse, and make new friends. read more

Be careful what you say and do at this barn. The owner is always watching and always listening. You, as a client, are expected to always adhere to the strict rules. However, the staff can pretty much do what they want (ie. not give medication and supplements as instructed, turn your horse out when you've requested no turn-out, not clean stalls, not fill water buckets, throw your equipment around or leave wraps and blankets in the dirt, etc). As a client who pays for quality service, you get little and are looked at with glares of disapproval when you bring issues to the owner's attention. When they began renovations on the facility, it was the boarders who coughed up the money with rising rates but all the renovations were done in a separate barn, rented out by another stable - you're welcome, Sagamore Hill, enjoy your fancy barn while my horse's stall door falls off. As an incoming boarder, I was able to hold an empty stall for $100/month. As an outgoing boarder, you can only give notice on the first or last of a month. Unfortunately, life doesn't work so neatly so I asked for pro-rated board being that I was moving out of state. They said I'd have to pay for the whole month. So I said, OK, then I'll bust my butt and get my horse out at the end of the month so you don't have an awkward half-board situation and neither of us lose money. I was told that I couldn't pay the same $100 for an empty stall that I did when I was moving in. I was told that, even though my horse and all my belongings were going to be gone (and two days before the new month), that I had to pay FULL board for the month after my horse left despite the fact that they have a waiting list for incoming boarders. When I asked for a compromise, I was met with nasty emails. Aside from the condescending emails the owner also called a friend of mine to get my trainer's phone number and then threatened my trainer, saying that she would be held responsible if I didn't pay full board for an empty stall. It didn't stop there. The owner called around to find out what shipper I was using to move my horse and told her not to pick up my horse unless she was given the OK (meaning that I had paid). After finding out about the threatening phone calls, several people warned me that I should just bite the bullet and pay or my horses' well-being might be in jeopardy. I wasn't 100% convinced this barn would stoop to such a level but, none-the-less, I wasn't going to take chances based on the crazy that I had recently encountered, so I paid... Being nasty to me is one thing, but being nasty to my horse took it too far. The warnings I had been given were, unfortunately, legitimate. I had asked for no turn-out for my guy as he was lame. His usual turn-out time is 12pm-3pm. The day before he was to leave, I found out they had turned him out with the morning shift (6am-9am) so that when I got there, it would look like he had been on stall rest. Further to that, I found out they aggravated him while out so he was galloping in the tiny, rock-laden "pasture," really good for a horse with an abscess! Then the day he left, he had three huge bites on his neck. He was clearly put in a dangerous situation that night. For a horse that was to be on stall rest, how could he have gotten three huge bites? Unbelievable. The only positive thing that used to be true about this barn is the ample riding area. They have an indoor and three outdoor rings. However, with recent addition of Sagamore Hill and the owner turing the facility over to her son and daughter-in-law, good luck with all the traffic. You'll get yelled at if you interrupt their lessons or work...they also have a grassy hill you can ride on, maybe that'll be an option for you? Oh, and just be aware that board rates have gone up twice in the past year. You'll also be expected to pay for grooms Thanksgiving and holiday dinners (despite their shitty and sloppy work). Make sure you check out all other options before committing yourself and your horse to this facility. It's viewed, strictly, as business. Care of the animals and customer service are at the bottom of their priority list. How could I forget, a horse on the waiting list was in my stall at the beginning of the month I paid for so the owner cleaned up with double board. read more

Having been a client at Stanhope Stables for 7 years, I can tell you there is no better barn around. I came to Stanhope Stables after not riding for 15 years due to a devastating accident that happened at another horse stable. When I first came to Stanhope, I was impressed with the friendly atmosphere and the meticulous care of the horses. For such a large facility, they really have it down to a science. From the owner and instructors, to the staff and grooms, everyone is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming. Originally, I came once a week to take lessons. As time went on, I became a volunteer, where I learned more about horses than I ever imagined. The owner would ask me to ride school horses for her if they needed to get some exercise. She always matched me up with an appropriate horse, something other facilities don't always put thought into. The opportunities to ride and practice on my own not only helped with my riding skills, but also helped me to gain back the confidence I lost after my injury. It really was a gift for me to be able to ride so much, in addition to my once a week lesson, which was all I could afford. Although I worked with many of the school horses at Stanhope, there was one in particular that I became very fond of. The owner had originally told me that this was the horse for me and she was right. Eventually I asked her if I could purchase this school horse, which I had bonded with, and despite this horse being one of her top school horses, that the trainers wanted to book (and pay to use), she sold her to me without question. She knew how much this horse meant to me. I eventually became a certified therapeutic riding instructor. and with the owner's help and support, operate my business out of Stanhope Stables. My clients love the aesthetic appeal of the grounds, as well as the open and supportive atmosphere. As a horse owner, I can tell you that this stable is just what my horse and I need. The facility is vast, and incredibly beautiful. There are 2 large outdoor rings, a dressage ring, a track to ride around, and a huge indoor ring. There is also a beautiful hill to ride on, and plenty of grazing areas. The horses receive plenty of turnout space and time, which is important to their mental health. The grounds and barn are well kept and very clean. People are always willing to help each other out, and it feels like a real community, not just a place to keep a horse. The care of the horses is impeccable. The barn is run like clockwork, the grooms are attentive to the horses needs, and horses are extremely well cared for. I highly recommend Stanhope Stables!! read more

I have been riding consistently since I was about 11 years old and had jumped between barns when it came to taking lessons for awhile before I found Stanhope Stables, which has been my second home for the last nine or so years, and I don't see myself leaving anytime soon. I entered Stanhope as a lesson student and was directed to knowledgable trainers and good school horses. From there I started leasing horses from the barn owner who was always accommodating and provided trustworthy mounts and help when it was needed. I am currently a horse owner because of this stable. The barn owner found my horse (a rescue who she saved from probable euthanasia), and matched us up perfectly. The mare that I acquired through the barn owner was reasonably priced and my perfect companion. She went from being possibly euthanized to being my show horse and I know that the barn owner is there for us each step of the way. I came to Stanhope as a lesson student and grew into a horse owner. I also came as an English rider with no real direction to finding my passion in my current horse and dressage. The barn owner has helped me on many occasions to pursue my passions and directed me toward dressage, something I never thought I would be interested in, which ended up being a true passion of mine. The facility is suited well for both serious dressage riders as well as competitive jumper riders with places to flat, jump, and areas for hill work. As a boarder I love the facility. The grooms at Stanhope Stables always caring, and know even the little things about my horse, able to tell me when she's not herself because they know her habits. The turn out is very good for the location and there are 4 rings to ride in including an indoor and a regulation dressage arena--things that can be hard to find. I don't have to worry about my mare when I am gone because I know she is being looked after. The barn my horse is in is light and airy with windows, available wash stalls, open aisles, and places to secure your things. My horse is incredibly happy in her stall and so am I. I found some of my best friends, horses, and trainers through Stanhope Stables, and would recommend it to anyone for lessons, boarding, or any other horse related venture. It is a beautiful facility with a caring staff and a wonderful owner. read more

The rats are bigger than the cats. I kept my horse there for a little over a year, and put my trust in the owner to find me a responsible rider to half lease my horse. I wanted the horse to get out more and share the expense. I was promised the girl was responsible and she would be under adult training supervision. Lessons only. Well the poor horse was pushed to the limit and pulled a suspensory ligament and was on stall rest for 6 months after that. I was promised the horse wouldn't be jumped, but there is no way that injury gave from normal ground work. I then wound up paying the full board and all the vet bills because of some little idiot and her irresponsible trainer. It's like grand central station there and there are more rats there than any place I have ever seen. I would come after work and turn the barn light on only to be greeted by several very huge rats, not mice. Evening was the only time I could ride because of my job. They wouldn't even scatter when I stomped my feet so I could walk past them. My locker had rat poop all of the time, it was disgusting. Find another barn. Oh and even if you leave on "good terms" you're not allowed back. Really? How stupid is that? read more

I am a horse owner and boarder at Stanhope Stables. I first came to Stanhope when I half leased a horse stabled there after retiring my horse I had stabled elsewhere. I saw that the well being of the horses there was the first priority of the facility. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming and the barn is open until 10:00 pm on week nights to accommodate riders with full time day jobs. I also saw there is always a staff person on the premises in the event of an emergency. Additionally, unlike many stables, boarders are allowed to bring in their own trainers, veterinarians and farriers. So, when I bought a horse, I never considered a different stables. I have boarded my horse there for seven years. If I am away or unable to get to the barn for any reason, I know my horse will be well taken care of. She is now under the care of Jumpers Creek Farm at Stanhope but that focus on the well being of the horses continues. My horse and I are happy at our stable home. read more