122 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {landmark} westwind community barn Tucked into the Sound of Music-esque hills of Byrne Park, Westwind Community Barn has quietly shaped generations of equestrians in Los Altos Hills. Originally built in the 1940s for Frank Ellithorpe and his Arabian horses, the historic barn took on new life in 1971 when it came into the hands of Countess Margit Bessenyey, widow of the Hungarian ambassador. Intent on creating a haven for her thoroughbreds, she added an extra wing and elegant embellishments (including an ornate oak door and a spiral staircase to the hayloft) as well as a nearby riding ring and cross-country course. To bring her vision to life, she recruited celebrated horsewoman Linda Tellington Jones, whose Pacific Coast School of Horsemanship soon drew riders from across the U.S. and Europe. Years later, when the Town of Los Altos Hills bought a portion of the land, Bessenyey donated the heart of the property: the 34-stall barn and an additional 13.5 acres. Now operated under the care of Friends of Westwind and the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, the barn serves as a vibrant hub for several groups. Here, Victorian Dye Equestrian teaches children horse handling, grooming and riding, while Westwind Riding Institute (formerly Westwind Riding for the Handicapped) does the same for students with disabilities. Also a gathering place, the barn hosts an annual hoedown where bluegrass music makes the hills come alive— and gets everyone hoofing it on the dance floor. photography by ROBB MOST
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