Services — SAVING SANDY POINT STABLES

The fate of Sandy Point Stables is unknown for the first time in over a hundred years.

Up until March 2023, Sandy Point Stables was a successful and fully operational Hunter Jumper boarding, lesson, and show barn. Accommodating all ages from summer camp, children and ponies, to intercollegiate programs and serious competitors at the National level, Sandy Point was also the host to 10 shows annually, drawing in hundreds of riders from beyond Aquidneck Island.

Everyone in Portsmouth, RI, is familiar with this Aquidneck Island staple and its Vanderbilt roots make it internationally known.

But many people don’t know the barn also has four occupied apartment units on the North side, and on the South side, Reggie Vanderbilt’s former lounge and guest quarters were reconfigured into a beautiful home preserving most of the original detail, mouldings, floor to ceiling woodwork, and built-ins. This living space has been cherished and occupied by Stable Sound Studio for 40 years. (See https://www.savingsandypointstables.com/stable-sound-studio)

Countless riders began their story with Sandy Point as children who started with lessons on ponies and graduated to leasing or owning horses as they excelled and became adults. Some of our riders have been on intercollegiate teams associated with Salve Regina University and the University of Rhode Island. Most clients were involved in showing and aside from “home” shows, took their horses to dozens of shows a year to compete under the Sandy Point name, all over New England and beyond. Some of our riders have had great success at the National level and are widely recognized by the equestrian world. Several others have gone on to be trainers themselves and own their own farms and facilities.

It would be impossible to count just how many riders and horses have gone through Sandy Point over its 120 years. A farm is never just a building and animals. It’s an institution, a school, and a home away from home. It’s an indescribable dedication and bond to a sacred place and all the beating hearts inside. The people and the animals become your family.

The heirs to the stable shut down all operations as of March 1, and boarders were forced to vacate. Lessons abruptly ended. Some elderly horses were facing euthanasia since relocating them was met with many obstacles - but luckily by the tireless efforts of this group and other good samaritans, those horses were saved!

Demolition of this property will not only erase 120 years of irreplaceable architecture and history -