Can you believe it is almost August? The striped bass are running in the rip, and the bluefish have gotten very big… and very hungry… maybe not so tasty now, but really fun to fight! And J makes a really good smoked bluefish paté!
Before you know it, it will be “back to school”!
But before that, don’t miss the Galas & Charity Events of August, and – of course – the Hamptons Classic Horse Show!
Ranches and Stables in the Hamptons
Montauk offers two excellent stables for Western trail and beach riding::
- Rita’s Stables – Beach Rides for amateur riders of all ages
- Deep Hollow Ranch – the Oldest Working Ranch in the US!
- Deep Hollow Ranch is featured as the Lockhart Ranch in Showtime’s series: The Affair
The Hamptons are also home to a number of notable Equestrian Centers:
- Stony Hill Stables was founded over 50 years ago in the back roads of Amagansett, near Balsam Farms – one of our favorites for fruits, herbs and vegetables. Stony Hill ‘is proud to be one of the Hampton’s oldest and premier equestrian facilities offering experienced and educated instructors to train students and horses at all levels.’ Their foundation offers scholarship equestrian training for local children and adults. They even offer Pony Parties for the little Cowboys and Princesses in your life…
- Two Trees Stables, on 115 bucolic acres in Bridgehampton was home to the famed Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge, sponsored by the Bridgehampton Polo Club, for almost two decades until 2015. Generally considered an elitist ‘see and be seen’ event, the locals always enjoyed the fun of tailgating and divot stomping at half time! Now on the market for $17.995 million for 65 acres including the equestrian center, Two Trees also offers 17 multi-million dollar home sites and several completed homes with prices soaring to $40 Million.
- The Polo Club resurfaced this year as two Gala Charity Events hosted by Christie Brinkley.
- Wolffer Estate Stables is adjacent to our favorite South Fork Winery in Sagaponack. Boasting one hundred acres of first-class horse facilities, Wolffer has become one of the premier riding facilities for hunters, jumpers and dressage. But can you ride your horse through the lush grape vines for a glass of Rosé at the Winery?
- Visit Wolffer Stables on Wednesday & Thursday August 7 & 8, 2019 for a Clinic on the Three S’s: Symmetry, Suppleness, and Straightness, with Dressage rider Kate Leggat, to help get you ready for the upcoming Hampton Classic!
- Topping Riding Club, Sagaponack: Horseback Riding Lessons and Pony Camp plus boarding for students starting at 3 years old.
- Silver Tide Stable – Pony Camp in Wainscott.
- Gray Horse Farm (GHF) – Pony Camp in Bridgehampton. Offering lessons for aspiring hunters, jumpers and even polo players.
- CTREE – The Center for Therapeutic Riding in the Hamptons
- CTREE at Sebonack – Horses Changing Lives Thu, Aug 22, 2019 6:00 PM-9:00 PM $250, Sebonack Golf Club, 405 Sebonac Rd, Southampton 631.779.2835
- Amaryllis Farm – Equine Rescue Sanctuary in Bridgehampton
- Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, East Hampton. Since its founding in 2011, CDHR has rescued over 90 horses and currently has over 80 volunteers. Learn more about CDHR by clicking here.
And that’s only a few of the many stables in the Hamptons. If you decide to bring your horse for the summer while you stay at the Mill House Inn, or take jumping or dressage lessons, or pony camp for the wee ones, you will certainly be able to find the stable that’s just right for you!
The Hampton Classic Horseshow
Hampton Classic 2019: August 25 – September 1, 2019
The Hampton Classic Evolved from the original Southampton Horse Show, which dates back to the early twentieth century. Read more in EQ Living Magazine
- WHERE: Bridgehampton, NY (off Montauk Highway, Route 27 at 240 Snake Hollow Road), 65-acre show grounds, located near some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast, amidst the fashionable Hamptons summer scene.
- GENERAL ADMISSION:
- Daily $10/person (under 6 free) or $20/carload.
- Seniors free Tuesday – Thursday.
- Kids free Saturday.
- Reserved Seats for Grand Prix Sunday:
- $45 per person for bucket seating in all sections (in addition to $10/person or $20/carload admission)
- Parking for the show is free.
The Hampton Classic – The Equestrian Events
Even if you not an aficionado of all things equestrian, you can really enjoy a day or two at the Hampton Classic. Remember to wear comfortable shoes.
Sleek beautiful talented animals, sleek beautiful talented riders, sleek beautiful well-dressed people, amazingly elegant horse-crazy kids, champagne, rose wine, high fashion, shopping, jumping, equestrian excellence, ribbons of all colors, and so much more…
If someone offers you a ticket (for free) to one of the sponsor tables under the big tent, don’t say no! But if not, there is still champagne available by the glass, or fresh-pressed juices, and plenty of specialty food vendors. You can bring your own picnic to enjoy in the bleachers or at one of the umbrella patio tables in the Boutique Garden. There is even a petting zoo and pony rides for kids!
Wander around the 65-acre showgrounds:
- Stop to watch the children in all their finery exercising their ponies.
- Take a walk past the stables on Main Street and watch the grooms at work.
- Find a perch to watch one of the Hunter/Jumper events. There are many to choose from over the course of eight days.
- The opening Sunday features the littlest equestrians with their ponies in the main ring.
- The final Sunday pits the finest Jumpers (and their riders) from around the world competing for the richest prizes.
The Hampton Classic – Beyond the Equestrian Events
Or just go shopping! The Boutique Garden is surrounded by classy vendors under white tents offering everything from luxury cars to custom saddles and riding boots, jewelry, antiques, fashionable rags and fancy hats.
- There isn’t much shade at the Classic so you may find you really need to buy a hat!
- And if the grounds are muddy, you might want to find the DuBarry tent and buy a pair of beautiful but completely waterproof leather mucking boots!
- I have two pair that I bought there 20 years ago. They last forever!
- And don’t forget to stop at the souvenir shop by the entrance to the Grand Prix ring for tee shirts, fleeces and the always excellent Hampton Classic posters.
- 27East talks to Kelly Wilkinson – the Artist of this year’s poster
- Professional Equestrian Georgina Bloomberg On Riding in the Hampton Classic
- Just down the street from the Classic: Brennan’s Bit & Bridle – stock up on crops, gloves, a saddle and much more
Then come home to the Mill House Inn for a stay in our Hampton Classic Suite (#11) decorated with Classic posters from over the years. Sorry, I started collecting too late to have some of the practically priceless early years… But you can pre-order this year’s poster now to pick up at the event.
See you there,
Sylvia
