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+1 (631) 692-6840 62 Route 106, Jericho NY
An Enduring Tradition

Carrying Our Equestrian Legacy Forward

Founded in 1943 Formerly Melville, Now Jericho 49-Acre Home

More than 80 years of horsemanship on Long Island, and we’re not finished growing our equestrian community.

When the opportunity came to move to a larger home in Jericho, we took it. 49 acres and the same commitment to compassionate instruction and character-building horsemanship that’s carried this school since 1943.

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1950s Jr Essex HS 2
Original owners Bill and Fran in 1949
An Enduring Tradition 

Carrying Our Equestrian Legacy Forward

In 1943, Bill and Fran Thomas opened the doors to Thomas School of Horsemanship, creating a place where Long Island children could learn responsibility, confidence, and riding. For three generations, TSH stood as a cornerstone of the local equestrian community.

When good lesson barns across Long Island began disappearing—and the renowned equestrian school’s original Melville property was sold for residential development—the institution faced a crossroads.

Today’s owners Sean and Barbara Martens—former riding parents with a long-time TSH connection—purchased the beloved horsemanship academy in 2022, vowing to carry on its storied tradition and revered legacy. They secured a new 49-acre home in Jericho, ensuring future generations of Long Island families would never lose their place to ride.

As a certified United States Pony Clubs Riding Center, we give riders of all levels opportunities to earn certifications and participate in nationally recognized clinics, shows, and events. Learn More
Same School. New Ground to Grow On.

Jericho gave the Thomas School room to become more of what it already was.

Our Jericho facility provides rare grass paddocks, spacious grounds, and state-of-the-art barn technology—just 30 miles east of Manhattan.

While the acreage has expanded, our foundation remains unchanged: qualified instruction, uncompromised horse care, and the belief that horsemanship should be accessible to every rider without needing to own a horse.

Fostering a legacy of learning and mentorship

Where Generations
of Long Island Families
Learn to Ride

Sean rode and attended camp at the original Thomas School as a kid—so did the Martens’ own daughters. That kind of history isn’t all that unusual around here, though. 

Many families come back, generation after generation, parents bringing with them the same lessons they learned when they were young riders.

Our Next Chapter

Not Finished Growing—And Neither Is Your Rider

Every new family who books a first lesson becomes part of what happens next at the Thomas School of Horsemanship. More than eight decades in, building character and confidence through horseback riding is still at the heart of everything we do.