Our Team & Our Mission

Photo: Stephanie Weber Fitzpatrick
Stephanie Weber Fitzpatrick
Executive Director
Stephanie Fitzpatrick is the Executive Director of Hidden Hollow Farm. She is a graduate of the Cheff Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her certification as a therapeutic riding instructor. She brought that education to the Hudson Valley where she began the riding program 20 years ago.

Stephanie gives countless hours of her time to volunteer work. She is a coach and clinician for the NYS Special Olympics and she is always taking a friendly mini horse to nursing homes for the elderly to enjoy. 

She is now the State sports director for New York State Special Olympics for the equestrian program.

Erica Wheeler has been riding since she could hold her head up and has ridden under Lynn Reed, Pat Towle, Tina Stephenson, Michelle Clopp, Amanda Garner, Sharon Santandra, and Carolyn Duncan. 


She has competed in the jumpers and had accomplishments with her horse Just Go With It, or Gem, who has unfortunately retired. Gem took her through eventing at Millbrook Horse Trials and Kent School Horse Trials , along with the jumpers and at Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS), Garden State Horse Show , Westbrook Hunt Club , and various local shows. 


Erica teaches her beginners the basics to be successful in the show ring or just basic horsemanship. Erica is excited to begin her career outside of the barn as a phlebotomist. 

Photo: Erica Wheeler Jumping
Erica Wheeler
Beginner Program Instructor

Instructor Cassy Howard

Instructor Sharon Santandra

Board of Directors:

President: Shannon LaBrusciano - Co Founder who currently lives in Georgia with her husband Kenny and there three children. Shannon also has her own pet sitting service and currently competes in competitive trail riding.

Treasurer: Corinne Weber - Corrine is a lifetime resident of the Hudson Valley who currently owns and runs Staats Transport with her husband Al Weber. She also has a Horse Ambulance service which she started in 2000. Corrine has served as a board member of Dutchess Arc and was  the founding president of its foundation. She serves on the Hudson Valley Fresh board as vice president. Over the years, she has assist4ed in many animal rescues. Corrine donates countless hours for many local causes and community services.

Secretary: Stephanie Fitzpatrick - Co Founder of HHFRCI- Stephanie and her family live on the farm. She oversees the programs at the farm and instructs some of the lessons. She is a 1991 graduate of the Cheff Center in Kalamazoo Michigan. She is also a coach and clinician for Special Olympics New York. 

Members:

Linda Fischera- Bartolotti - Linda comes to us with a vast knowledge of the legal system and she is a life long equestrian. She grew up in Stanfordville and still lives locally with her family. Linda also bring to the board a kind realistic theory. Her wisdom is an asset to the board.

Dr. Paul Mountan - Paul is a 1966 graduate of the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithica New York. While in college he was on the Polo Team and in 1964 he was named Outstanding Player . Paul is one of the founders of Rhinebeck Equine and with over 40 years of veterinary experience. He and his wife Dale have two children who also live locally on a small farm in Rhinebeck.
Committees: 

Volunteers: Erica Wheeler, Tricia Giacalone

Outreach: Stephanie Fitzpatrick

Fundraising: Corinne Weber, Stephanie Fitzpatrick

Events: Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Stacey Dorval

Show Team: Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Erica Wheeler

Community Service: Stephanie Fitzpatrick

Sponsors: Corinne Weber

Horse Show Staff: Stacey Dorval
Photo: Riders at Fundraising Event - Rhinecliff, NY

Our Mission


Hidden Hollow Farms Riding Center, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization located in the beautiful Hudson Valley, New York. Our mission is to provide a safe, educational, and pleasurable therapeutic riding facility for people with and without disabilities. 


Family owned and operated, the farm was established in 1990 by Richard Staats and Al Weber. It has flourished into a wonderful place for individuals and families to come and learn about our equine friends. Over 20 years ago, Stephanie Weber Fitzpatrick and Shannon Weber LaBrusciano built the lesson program. This program continues today with three riding instructors and is supported by many wonderful volunteers from our local community. 

   

In recent years, the farm has hosted both the regional and the state competitions for the New York Special Olympics. We are very proud that on several occasions, our riders have come home with the gold and silver for our area. 


A Hidden Hollow Farm rider has even attended the Special Olympics' World Games and brought home silver for the USA! 


We have riders from all over Dutchess, Ulster, and Columbia counties. The farm has several riders from The Anderson School for Autism , The Devereux Foundation , New Horizons Resources, Inc . and many more.     


It is our dream to make the equine world accessible to everyone, regardless of any challenges an individual may or may not face. Riding is therapeutic for everyone; it has been shown to help promote mental and physical well being as well as enhance feelings of self confidence and accomplishment. 

   

Hidden Hollow has many different programs for riders of all abilities:

 

  • Therapeutic & Non-Therapeutic riding lessons 
  • Working Together Horses and Heroes - this program is specifically designed for veterans, police, fire fighters, EMS, and their families for low cost riding lessons. 
  • Harness Your Healing - a no-cost program designed by the staff of Hidden Hollow specifically for survivors of domestic violence, crime & abuse and their families. 

 


Working with such organizations as The Grace Smith House and The Child Advocacy Center , both located in Poughkeepsie, NY, we work with those in need to be a part of their healing process


Hidden Hollow keeps these programs going with the kind donations of friends and supporters from our community. 

Please consider a contribution to support the healing work that we do. From donations of items that sustain our work to several sponsorship levels, your contribution is tax deductible.
Sponsor Hidden Hollow Farms
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