The familiar sight of horse and rider cruising through Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York is only a memory now. The Claremont Riding Academy officially closed its doors Sunday after more than 100 years of service to equestrians throughout the city. The four-story stone stable located between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues originally opened as a livery stable in 1892 but became a riding school in the 1920s, offering lessons and hiring out horses for use on bridle paths within Central Park.
New homes are being sought for the 45 horses from the stable.
A very sad day. I am sure this stable will be missed. Hope they don’t do something silly to the interior, like put office space or apartments in it.
I visited the stable about 3 months ago and was shocked by the conditions!! The stalls were poorly managed and the horses body conditions were alarming. The footing in the arena was a heavy mix of 80% manure and 20% dirt. Incorrect riding lessons where being given by very young children to other children for the price, from what I was told, of $60 and hour!! I am sad to see the stable go because it has been there so long, but I am not surprised.
What a shame! No more riding in Central Park, then? How could the public let that happen? Although I’m sure the horses feel they’re better off elsewhere, with real turnout…
Wow! That would be the one palce I would have wished to go and visit if I ever went to New York…
how sad!
I learned to ride at Claremont in the 1980s. The physical condition of the building and floor were never good but, believe me, if you could learn to ride here (I always seemed to be doing voltes around a child on a pony), let alone jump and do dressage, you really knew how to ride. There were some really find instructors, but the horses are almost certainly better off elsewhere.
I find it very sad that great businesses close. I was just on my way there with friends, sad to hear they are no longer there and i truly hope the landmark stays.
I was so lucky to be able to rent a horse named Blaze in ’85. Fulfilled a lifelong dream to ride in central park ( then I went ice skating @ rock ctr- riding took priority). Have a great photo of us waiting at the curb across from the park with taxis zooming by. Talk about a bombproof horse,but responsive and fun to ride.