Where Horses Meet History
A Rhinebeck Foundation Born From One Woman’s Defiance
Photo by John Verner
Tucked along Route 9 in Rhinebeck, the Southlands Foundation has roots that run as deep as the land itself. The property traces back over 300 years to an original land grant from King James II, and by 1910 the Dows family had settled into Foxhollow Farm, shaping the sprawling estate into a place where love of animals, the land, and equestrianism could flourish. It was here that Deborah Dows was born in 1914, into a world of artists, architects, politicians, activists, and financiers who gathered regularly at the family table.
When the stock market crash of 1929 threatened the family fortune, a young Deborah made a remarkable decision. She used nearly the entirety of her personal trust to purchase 200 acres of what the original estate had always called “the south lands,” preserving the land that had defined her family for generations. It was an act of quiet determination that would shape Dutchess County for nearly a century to come.
In 1938, she founded the Southlands Riding School, an innovative program built on the values of horsemanship, responsibility, and respect for nature. Her own equestrian accomplishments were extraordinary. On February 1, 1952, she became one of the first women ever to study at the prestigious Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. And her personal connections were equally storied. In 1945, she rode her horse along trails from Southlands to the Roosevelt Mansion hoping to catch her cousin F.D.R. for a nightcap, only to find Winston Churchill on the terrace instead. The three sat together and talked well into the early morning hours.
Deborah’s vision for Southlands extended far beyond riding. When the State of New York attempted to seize the property via eminent domain in the late 1970s to convert it into a landfill, she fought back with the help of the Rhinebeck community and won. In 1983 she formally established the Southlands Foundation as a registered 501c3, ensuring the land would be protected for future generations. A conservation easement with Scenic Hudson followed in 1987. She passed away in Rhinebeck on June 29, 1994, leaving behind a legacy as vital today as ever.
Often called the Gateway to Rhinebeck, Southlands now spans nearly 200 acres, with almost 90 percent of its land held in conservation. Trails, forests, wildflower meadows, and pollinator and aquatic habitats invite exploration on foot or horseback. The foundation offers riding lessons for all ages, equine therapy, boarding, and a community event series that includes the popular Sunset at Southlands evenings.
This summer, two camp programs run from June 29 through August 14. Pony Camp, for ages seven to 14, gives children hands-on experience grooming and caring for ponies, learning basic riding skills, and building confidence in a small-group setting. Nature Camp, for ages four toseven, focuses on hiking, animal encounters, nature crafts, and weekly pony rides in a screen-free outdoor environment. Both can be reserved per week.—southlands.org
