Welcome to Stonewood South Equestrian

Whether you are interested in training for competition or getting back into riding for fun, lessons are tailored to meet your needs. Holly Sands travels to local farms for lessons on your horse.

Hollys background is in Balanced Seat Equitation, Jumpers and Combined Training. Having moved quite a bit as a child of a military family, she was able to train with a number of top professionals in Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. Holly has competed in A Hunter/Jumper shows across the country and  was successful competing at the Preliminary level eventing and schooled through Intermediate. She trained to Prix St Georges in Dressage and successfully showed Jumpers across the US and overseas. 

As an adult, she earned her B in Pony Club (1980) She graduated from Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center with her Riding Master and Riding Instructor certifications. Hollys non-riding education includes a degree in Social Science Education and has completed her coursework in Personal Training and Physical Fitness. 

Prior to moving to North Carolina in 2016, she operated Stonewood Farms in Dover, PA. Stonewood was a boarding, training and rehab facility that was known for excellent care and a knowledgeable staff.  Starting with an indoor arena, she designed and helped build a large outdoor arena, a dressage arena, an outside hunt course with banks, ditches and traditional hunt fences and cross country courses from intro to training level fences. The farm was host to the Beaufort Hunt Annual Hunter Trials and Show, Hunter shows, combined training events and clinics with top professionals. The shows and clinics drew riders from the local community as well as from VA, MD, DE, NJ and as far away as Maine

Stonewood Farms was also set up as a successful rehab and lay up facility. Under her management, horses were cared for and sent home sound after injury, illness and surgeries. Holly and the  staff at Stonewood worked closely with vets, farriers, chiropractors and body work professionals to insure positive outcomes for the "patients" at the farm.

Holly has trained with Jimmy Wofford, Lucinda Greene, Maj. Jeremy Beale, Jean Luc Cornille, Jo Struby, Kay Meredith, Denis Callin, Jim Graham, Margie Goldstein, Daniel Stuart and a host of other top professionals in the areas of Dressage, Combined Training and Hunter/Jumper Eq

Seminars and clinics can be scheduled for riding, horse management and rider body balance. 

Holly teaches Riding Lessons to Pony Clubs, Adult Riding Clubs and at private stables on the East  Coast. She has coached Pony Club members working towards their next ratings including their A. 

Private lesson          45 min at home $60

Private Lesson         45 min off farm $65+

Clinics        $750/day plus expenses  min.

Coaching is available at local shows and events as the schedule allows. 

Students  have been very successful in Eventing, Dressage, Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation in NC, PA, MD and VA. 

Holly's Pony Club students have qualified for Nationals for many years on the Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing Teams, always bringing home ribbons

 in those disciplines! They have also done very well in the Quiz rallies.

Coaching fees depend on number of riders, discipline and distance traveled. Contact for rates