The Southlands Foundation

The Southlands Foundation Welcome to The Southlands Foundation—a place where equine education, conservation and community engagement flourish just as vibrantly as they did in 1938.

✨ Meet Frankie Azznara! ✨You may have already seen Frankie around the barn teaching lessons, but we're excited to offici...
06/12/2026

✨ Meet Frankie Azznara! ✨

You may have already seen Frankie around the barn teaching lessons, but we're excited to officially welcome her to Southlands as our new Assistant Trainer and 2026 Pony Camp Director!

A third-generation equestrian, Frankie grew up immersed in the horse world and went on to compete nationally while riding on an IEA team throughout high school. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and her MBA from Midway University. Over the years, she has worked with riders of all ages and abilities, started young horses, and led pony camps and youth programs.

Frankie is passionate about helping riders build confidence, strong horsemanship skills, and a lifelong love of horses. She has already enjoyed getting to know many of our riders through lessons and can't wait to meet our 2026 Pony Campers this summer.

A few fun facts about Frankie:
🐴 First pony: Bubblicious!
🦄 Dream horse to ride for a day: Lafitte De Muze or United Touch S
🧹 Barn chore she secretly doesn't mind: Mucking stalls!
🌞 Favorite pony camp activity: Painting ponies
📚 Favorite horse book growing up: The Saddle Club
✨ Favorite thing about teaching kids to ride: Helping young riders discover that horsemanship is about more than just riding. It's about patience, partnership, and finding confidence in yourself.

Be sure to say hello next time you're at the barn and help us give Frankie a warm Southlands welcome!

There’s still time to join us. 🌅With nearly 150 guests already planning to attend, Sunset at Southlands is shaping up to...
06/11/2026

There’s still time to join us. 🌅

With nearly 150 guests already planning to attend, Sunset at Southlands is shaping up to be a truly special evening.

Join us on June 20 for an unforgettable summer night featuring great food, cocktails, live music, a silent auction, and celebration in support of Southlands Foundation.

We’ve extended our RSVP deadline through Saturday, June 13, so if you’ve been meaning to reserve your spot, now’s the time.

We’d love to celebrate with you.

🎟 Ticket link: https://www.southlands.org/sunset-at-southlands

06/10/2026

The temperatures were high, but so was the motivation. ☀️

A hot afternoon was no match for Joss, AJ, and Charlotte, who showed up ready to work and rode beautifully in their lessons today

Today would have been Nicole Wiley's 34th birthday.For many of our newer Southlands families, you may not have had the p...
06/09/2026

Today would have been Nicole Wiley's 34th birthday.

For many of our newer Southlands families, you may not have had the privilege of knowing Nicole, but her story is woven into the fabric of this place.

Nicole first came to Southlands as a pony camper on scholarship. The little girl who arrived at camp grew into a working student, riding instructor, barn manager, mentor, and one of the most beloved members of our community. Southlands was truly her second home.

It was also here that Nicole grew up alongside Jacob Leach, who would later become her husband and who now serves as President of the Southlands Foundation Board of Directors.

When Nicole passed away unexpectedly in 2021, her family established the Nicole Wiley Working Student Scholarship Fund in her memory.

Today, that fund continues to honor Nicole's legacy by helping make Southlands more accessible to children and families. Whether through educational programs, camp experiences, or other opportunities, the fund helps ensure that more young people can benefit from the experiences and sense of belonging that meant so much to Nicole.

If you would like to celebrate Nicole's birthday, please consider making a gift in her memory. Any amount, no matter how small, makes a meaningful difference.

Donations can be made here: https://bit.ly/4xj9daC

If you choose to donate, please note "In Memory of Nicole Wiley" in the comment box at the end of the donation form.

Today, her legacy continues to help another generation of children discover the magic of Southlands.

Happy Birthday, Nicole. ❤️

06/08/2026

The Class List is Coming Soon

One of our favorite evenings of the year is almost here. ✨A summer sunset over the farm. Cocktails and live music. A sil...
06/05/2026

One of our favorite evenings of the year is almost here. ✨

A summer sunset over the farm. Cocktails and live music. A silent auction. Great food. Wonderful people. And the chance to help ensure Southlands remains a vibrant part of our community for generations to come.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, we’d love to see you there.

RSVPs close tomorrow.

https://www.southlands.org/sunset-at-southlands

We’re thrilled to welcome to Sunset at Southlands this year. 🍸🐴Founded right here in the Hudson Valley, Cooper’s Daught...
06/04/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome to Sunset at Southlands this year. 🍸🐴

Founded right here in the Hudson Valley, Cooper’s Daughter is a woman-owned, family-operated distillery known for creating small batch spirits inspired by local farms and ingredients. Their beautifully restored vintage horse trailer has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind mobile cocktail bar, and it will be serving guests throughout the evening.

Join us on June 20 and enjoy a signature welcome cocktail, specialty Cooper’s Daughter creations, local beer, wine, and cider, all served from what might just be the most beautiful horse trailer around.

We can’t wait to raise a glass with them under the summer sky. ✨

06/03/2026

We’re still having so much fun looking back at all the moments that made Saturday’s horse show so special. Thanks again to everyone who joined us for a wonderful day at Southlands. 🤍

Video credit to

One of our favorite evenings of the year is almost here. ✨Join us on June 20 for Sunset at Southlands, an evening of gre...
06/01/2026

One of our favorite evenings of the year is almost here. ✨

Join us on June 20 for Sunset at Southlands, an evening of great food, live music, cocktails, a silent auction, and wonderful company, all set against the backdrop of a summer evening at the farm.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time to reserve your spot. RSVPs are due June 6.

We hope you’ll be there.

Reserve your tickets at southlands.org/sunset-at-southlands

A few favorites from yesterday’s horse show 💙 What a wonderful day at Southlands. It may have been chilly and blustery, ...
05/31/2026

A few favorites from yesterday’s horse show 💙

What a wonderful day at Southlands. It may have been chilly and blustery, but the rings were full, the competition was great, and it was so special to spend the day surrounded by the very best of our local horse community.

Thank you to everyone who came out to ride, cheer, volunteer, help, and support. We are so grateful for this community and for all of the trainers and families who make days like this possible.

It was a pretty perfect day.

📸 Photos courtesy of: Sophia Donohue Photography

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Rhinebeck, NY

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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