About Us
Sea Horse Stables LLC is a comprehensive full-service show stables with different levels of board and training programs.
Our knowledgeable training staff specializes in creating successful partnerships between horse and rider that help our clients achieve their equestrian goals.
We welcome riders of all levels who want to continue their mounted and horsemanship education. Our horse show clients compete locally and at A-circuit venues in the equitation, hunter, and jumper rings.
We focus on the development of young horses and also offer sport horse rehabilitation services.
Kristen Abbatiello / Sea Horse Stables Owner / Head Trainer
Kristen is a lifelong equestrian and accomplished A circuit rider trained across a variety of disciplines including pony club, hunters, jumpers, equitation, and dressage. Her experience also includes educating green horses and equine rehabilitation.
Educated by renowned professionals Robert Hoskins, Patrick Rice, Leslie Burr Howard, and Timmy Kees, she had a successful juniors career competing at the USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USET finals, Devon, and The National Horse Show Junior Hunter Finals. She earned Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals for winning 20 USET classes.
Before Kristen founded Sea Horse Stables more than 20 years ago, she co-founded and coached the Fairfield University Equestrian Team and became a member of the United States IIEA Nations Cup team in Switzerland and Hungry, and at the World Championships in Germany.
Kristen also created the modern horsemanship curriculum for the historic New Canaan Mounted Troop.
Her numerous awards include the America's Promise Award - Role Model for Youth in Equestrian Sports in 2002 and multiple FW-PHA's Trainer of the Year awards for Best Equitation Rider, Best Hunter Rider, and Best Medal Rider.
Resume and references available upon request.
Sarah Booth / Professional Rider and Trainer, Head of Client Services
Sarah’s riding experience began with legendary trainer Emerson Burr and Burr Associates at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut.
She rode to a high level as an amateur rider while attaining her degree in business management and finance. She was past president of the Fairfield University Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Team.
With decades of experience riding in the equitation and jumper divisions, Sarah decided to pursue a career as a professional rider and trainer.
Blending her talents in horses and business management, Sarah is a trainer, professional rider, and head of client services at Sea Horse Stables.
She also has extensive experience in rehabilitation and performance horse maintenance.
Sophie Sweeny / Assistant Stable Manager
Sophie is a lifelong equestrian in hunt seat and dressage riding, starting with her family’s horses on the hunter/jumper and FEI dressage horse show circuits.
Sophie has recently transitioned from a working student to Assistant Stable Manager at Sea Horse Stables.
She enjoys promoting horsemanship skills with our riders, mentoring the junior committee, and providing top notch care to our horses.
Henry Hernandez / Head Groom
Henry grew up around horses and cattle in Honduras. He began his professional career as a groom at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in 2006. Within a few years, he began working for Olympic gold medalist Leslie Burr Howard at Red Gate Farm in Newtown, CT.
Henry went on to work at several legendary stables including Cedar Lodge Farm and Sunnyfield Farm gaining experience with baby horses and dressage horses. Henry also has an extensive on-the-road background grooming at WEF in Florida, HITS at Saugerties, Fairfield, Syracuse, NEHC finals in Massachusetts, Vermont, and the WEC in Ohio.
As the head groom at Sea Horse Stables, Henry oversees nearly two dozen horses, including safety and welfare checks, lunging, assisting clients with tacking up, turnout, training grooms, and his favorite activity, clipping horses.