For more than 90 years, Stonepine’s equestrian center has been home to expertly trained and well-nurtured horses, and these majestic creatures have been part of Stonepine Estate horse boarder Margaret Gaston’s world for as long as she can remember. “It’s a lifestyle,” she says with a chuckle from inside the buzzing courtyard. “My husband would have something to say about that.”

Generations of horses have called this picturesque place home — an unforgettable estate tucked quietly amongst the Carmel Valley’s wooded hillsides. For Margaret who began riding horses at the early age of 8, riding is woven into her very being. Today, she’s a reliable steward at Stonepine Estate, riding no less than five days a week. It’s more than just the stoic nature of the noble creatures that draws her in day after day, and it’s more than just the graceful strength and deep loyalty of her horse, Treye, that’s hard to resist. “It’s a culture — a community that has a shared love of the animals and a commitment to care for them,” she explains. “Stewardship is one part of it, but it’s a welcoming culture where you’re invited in to participate actively in the success of Stonepine.”

Boarding Treye, originally a rodeo horse and who now trains in dressage — a type of horse training and competition where the horse and rider perform a series of precise movements — at Stonepine gives Margaret peace of mind. “The facility is beautifully maintained, and we’re in the middle of an upgrade,” she says. “People can select from a menu of services. That was another plus: the flexibility of the facility in terms of care for the horses.”

Safety is always top of mind for Margaret, who lives about 40 minutes away in Pacific Grove. “[It’s about] safety for the animal and for the rider, too,” she explains. “The wash racks have hot and cold running water, and good footing with mats so they don’t slip and slide around. It’s all about safety and comforting the horse.” And when she’s not on site, she can rest easy; others are looking out for Treye, too.

“There is a core group of us who are here multiple days a week, and it’s mutually supportive,” she says. “It’s a participatory culture, and it really means a lot to us.” Margaret will ride with Hilary Johnson, a professional horse trainer at Stonepine, for an hour, exploring the bucolic trails and taking in the mighty oaks and pines across the 400-plus acre estate. “This is a preserve, so you'll see turkeys in full regalia and deer and everything else,” she chuckles. “Sometimes we bring our lunch to enjoy after a ride, and we’ll go down to benches or tables alongside the creek. It’s amazing.”

Margaret also enjoys meeting first-timers at the barn. There’s always room for more in the equine community, and she says at Stonepine, the community is one with open arms. Folks around the barn are happy to recommend trainers, offer advice, and explain everything from normal feeding schedules to the vast array of equipment and accessories standard in the horse world.

She adds that there are many different disciplines to try here, including western riding and English riding, and the staff can help newbies explore them all and find what speaks to them. “These people are not at all elitist, and the equestrian facility rates are very competitive,” she adds. “And you would begin your life with horses here from a very firm foundation — from literally the ground, or the dirt, up,” she laughs. But there is one thing new riders should be prepared for, she says. “This is the equestrian center's well-kept little secret: We might know the horse’s name before we know yours.”

Interested in learning more about Stonepine Estate’s equestrian offerings? Our experts will help you explore all that Stonepine has to offer, from care to amenities. Contact us to learn more.