Photos by Bonnie Heater (Above) Two of the horses at Fort Gordon's Hilltop Riding Stables munch on sweet hay while Kate Kluna, a Hilltop Stables employee uses a L4630 series Kubota tractor to stack one of the 1,000 pound hay bales into the hay barn. The live stock at the stable go through about 14 bales each month. A Columbia County magazine recently identified Hilltop Riding Stables as the best place in the city to enjoy recreational riding. Until recently one of the best kept secrets on post was the Fort Gordon Hilltop Riding Stables.

According to Kate Kluna, an employee at the stables, stable managers were notified Dec. 15 by "Columbia County Magazine" that they were selected for an award for being the best place to ride a horse in Augusta. The publication publishes annually the "Top 100 Best Places in Augusta to visit."

Hilltop Stables which is located off North Range Road at 16th Avenue offers more than 250 acres of trails for horseback riders.

It's considered a basic beginner barn, according to Kluna. "We offer lessons for beginners to advance riders," she explained. "Presently we have 13 government horses and 6 ponies available to ride. We also board horses," she said.

"We now have 15 boarders. In addition, we offer hay rides, pony rides and organized trail rides for groups too.

Both the public as well as military members and their Families are welcome.The hourly riding rate for military members in the rank of E-5 or below is $23, E-6 and above $25; and civilians $30.The stables are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Trail rides are available, if you call and make a reservation, at 11 a.m. Wednesday through Friday. Guided trail rides are conducted four times a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

To make a reservation or to learn more information about what is available at Hilltop Riding Stables call (706) 791-4864.