Old Westbury Equestrian Center Eviction, Long Island

OMG! I just saw this thread. I was researching to see of the Old Westbury Horsemen’s Foundation has an email–trying to reach board members on what seems to be an inactive charity. Rumor has it that actual reason why the fire marshalls were called the was because the residents were not happy with what was happening there. Here’s an article from when the eviction happened: https://nypost.com/2022/10/06/erotic-photography-studio-riles-residents-in-old-westbury/. I also think it was only 1 of 2 barns that was closed. Local equestrians like me will fight to keep the facility an equestrian facility. No more McMansions. We need to preserve open space just like Nassau Equestrian Center at Old Mill protected years ago!

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So what is going on there now? Did they rectify the problems and move the horses and people back in?

And welcome to the BB! :slight_smile:

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That link is not safe for work.

TL;DR for folks: A photographer is/was renting the house (possibly without a business license/permit) and was specializing in boudoir photos (woman-centric photos, often in lingerie, not explicit). Most of the photos seemed to be inside the mansion and not connected to the riding operation, even in the background, but people seem offended to be within several hundred yards of someone who might be wearing less clothes than them. The article’s author also seemed in a huff because some of the photography clients had an only fans accounts and any connection to sex work is icky to to the author.

It seems rather puritanical to me, but not my barn, not my town.

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I’d still like to know what the final outcome was. Is it just a field of McMansions now? I hope not.

It is still a farm. I think they got the barn that was condemned up to code. And I believe the boudoir business left.

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So are there horses back in that barn again? Did the same horses come back?

I used to board my horse at a small backyard stable that bordered the property back in the 80s. One of my favorite memories was riding the trails out there and jumping those cool jumps they had - stone wall, coops, banks, ditches, etc. I believe one of the Wilson Tech horse programs operated out of Old Westbury, I would see them riding in that giant pasture/field on occasion. Hope they get it sorted out.

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What was being done there and what the newspaper reported are not 100% clear. I heard horses were used without owner’s permission. That is from people that were there. But who knows–always 3 sides to every story and I personally did not see it. As of now there are new operators. I heard they are investing money and doing a great job. I am involved with a local horsemen’s association and the land trust and I can say that both organizations would be very opposed and very vocal about anyone trying to McMansion the property.

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Yay! Good to know. Thanks.

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oh my gosh! I know exactly what barn you are talking about because the summer of 88 I worked there for the Entemanns, there were two separate sides to it. I worked on the side with the mares and foals and weanlings. The farm was STUNNING. I used to have to hand rake that courtyard :smiley: It had one giant field for broodmares and then some smaller grass pastures for the babies. The other side was the training side. I should dig up my photos. It was the best summer and I probably do not want to see the property now because I am sure it would be so depressing.

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