Connecticut Horse March/April 2016

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HORSE

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March/April 2016

Connecticut Horse

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contents

March/April 2016

columns 20 High Hopes Therapeutic Riding

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22 Steep Rock Association

StefanNeary.com

courtesy of Ox Ridge Hunt Club

Lend a Hoof

16

Trail Guide

23 Society Girl Rider

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36 Connecticut Events Calendar

Tiffany Lindeborn Photography

courtesy of Ebony Horsewomen

This Olde Horse

2016

18

features 8

Longest-Running Shows

in every issue 16

in Connecticut

Epic Farm

6 Your Letters

Mother and Daughter

7 From the Editor

Farm Feature

24 Overherd: News in Our Community 32 Partners

14 Patricia Kelly Hartford’s Premier Ebony Horsewoman Horseperson Feature

18

Kiersten Banas

48 The Neighborhood

A Cinderella Story

49 Advertisers Index

Youth Spotlight

49 Is This Your Horse?

Connecticut Horse

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Your Letters

CONNEC T ICUT

To the editor: I really appreciated the wonderful article and how you featured my artwork in the January/February issue of Connecticut Horse. It was such a huge surprise that you used my art in both the feature and the table of contents. The

HORSE vol. 1, no. 5 March/April 2016

ISSN 2378-5721

99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096 phone: (860) 391-9215 • fax: (413) 268-0050 • connhorse.com Connecticut Horse magazine is an independently owned and -operated all-breed, all-discipline equestrian publication for the Nutmeg State.

zoom-in on the Reflections piece was spot on!

Whitney Kurlan, Trumbull

© 2016 Connecticut Horse All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this magazine or portions thereof in any form without prior written permission.

To the editor:

publisher Stephanie Sanders • steph@connhorse.com • (413) 268-3302

Love this magazine!

Esther Woll Fiddes, via Facebook

editor Karena Garrity • karena@connhorse.com • (860) 391-9215 copy editor Doris Troy

To the editor: Thank you for featuring the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue and the fantastic Holiday Open House we had on the Connecticut Horse Facebook page. Sally Feuerberg wrote a wonderful article.

feature writers Andrea Bugbee, Sally L. Feuerberg Elaine Juska Joseph, Lisa Peterson, Stacey Stearns contributors Christine Church, Bess Connolly Martell, Jessica Correia, Joan Davis Penny Foisey, Gigi Ouellette, Leslie Smith, Ruth Strontzer, Pamela Wilhelm

Sarah Grote, via Facebook

Send your thoughts to: karena@connhorse.com or Connecticut Horse, 99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096

county desk liaisons Fairfield and New Haven Counties Sally L. Feuerberg . sally@connhorse.com . (203) 339-0357 Hartford and Tolland Counties Christine Church . christine@connhorse.com . (860) 748-9757

Recovery Maintenance Performance Therapeutic Massage Bodywork . Reiki

Litchfield County Chauntelle Masslon . oakridgefarm12@gmail.com . (860) 967-5871 Middlesex and New London Counties Karena Garrity . karena@connhorse.com . (860) 391-9215 Windham County Jessica Correia . j17correia@gmail.com . (774) 263-6198

Jo Bunny licensed massage therapist certified equine massage therapist

(413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net

advertising Karena Garrity . karena@connhorse.com . (860) 391-9215

Terry Rudd and Mr Spindletop at the 1971 Ox Ridge Hunt Club Charity Show. Photo by Budd. Image provided courtesy of Ox Ridge Hunt Club and the USJHA Wheeler Museum.

Connecticut Horse is printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper.

the fine print The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Connecticut Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Connecticut Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers. Connecticut Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Connecticut Horse, its publisher, editor, and staff are assumed for publication. Photos, stories (verbal or printed), notifications, news items, and all other material that is submitted, including all materials and photos not specifically solicited by Connecticut Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Connecticut Horse assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of material submitted for publication. Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety and return of all materials.

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March/April 2016

From the Editor

AUCTIONS & SALE HORSES

Two-day Cabin Fever Auction!

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he days are getting longer, the ground is beginning to thaw, the shedding is well under way . . . full-blown spring is just around the corner, and that says horse

time!

If you’re like me and have taken some time off this winter (not lucky enough to have an indoor ring), then spring means you and your equine partner can get back into action, fit, and ready for the months of training and long rides.

March 5 & 6 (Snow date March 12 & 13) Saturday, all tack. No limit on amount of consigned tack accepted. Get ready for spring riding by shopping her for new-to-you goods.

Sunday, limited amount of new tack followed by horses and ponies.

Stay tuned to our website and Facebook pages for updates!

See our selection of horses and ponies for sale at farmheritage.com.

Perks of the job! Getting to snuggle six-day-old goats with my family at CV Performance Horses’ North Guilford Rodeo Camp.

It’s also time to evaluate where you are, as a team, and in which activities you’d like to participate. That’s where we want to help: This is our Annual Events Issue, where you’ll find an exhaustive listing of equestrian happenings exclusive to the Nutmeg State. Turn to page 36 — and start planning!

In other news, two women have joined our team: Chauntelle Masslon is the Litchfield County Desk Liaison and Jessica Correia is the Windham County Desk Liaison. We encourage you to get in touch with them, or with your liaison, with your news and photos. (For the liaison in your area, check out page 6.)

A warm welcome goes to the Pomfret Horse and Trail Association and the Connecticut Horse Shows Association, which are now members of our partner program. Read all partner news starting on page 32. Want your equestrian organization to partner with Connecticut Horse? Email partner@connhorse.com.

See you in the ring, on the trail, and around the barrel.

Giddy-up!

SHOWS & CLINICS

Clinics . WNEPHA Shows . NESHS WNEPHA Dressage Show April 24.

To see dates and details, visit farmheritage.com.

English and Western Lessons Open to buy, sell, or trade horses seven days a week, by appointment.

Nice Horses for Nice People.

Karena Editor’s Favorite Quote “A horse is the projection of people’s dreams about themselves — strong, powerful, beautiful — and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” – Pam Brown

The Raucher Family 30 Florence Rd., Easthampton, MA (413) 527-1612 . www.farmheritage.com Connecticut Horse

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Longest-Running Shows

courtesy of Ox Ridge Hunt Club

in Connecticut

Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show.

by Sally L. Feuerberg

I

t’s that time of year, when we grow weary of those long, bitter-cold winter nights and start daydreaming of that inaugural spring ride.

With those few extra precious minutes of daylight, we’re well aware that the days are getting longer, but somehow, as we trudge through our daily barn chores, it seems like an eternity to wait.

Well, the best medicine for those polar blues is to start planning our competition schedule; the state of Connecticut can boast about having some of the oldest and longest-running equine events in New England!

The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show Equestrian aficionados and participants alike look forward to the annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, which will run this year from Tuesday, June 14, through

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March/April 2016

Sunday, June 19, at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club, in Darien.

Given an A USEF rating, this iconic event, with its 85-year history, has showcased riders whose names are now synonymous with hunt-seat equitation: George Morris, Bill Steinkraus, McLain Ward, and Peter Leone are among the legendary riders and trendsetters who have competed in this celebrated event.

The signature competition is Saturday’s Grand Prix, a contest recognized by the United States Equestrian Team (USET). It attracts 8,000 to 10,000 spectators, among them hundreds of VIPs. The course’s varied fences challenge aspiring Grand Prix circuit riders and more-seasoned and proven competitors in show jumping. These combinations are sure to test a horse’s athleticism, stamina, and, most of all, courage.

The Boutique and Food Court offers a considerable selection of epicurean delights, as well as local craftsmen and artists.

Expertly crafted saddles and tack vendors are available for that last-minute replacement or that must-have piece of equipment. On Sunday, contributing to the array of attractions is the perfect addition to any summer afternoon: an ice-cream social.

This year the show is bringing back the popular Grooms Class.

Proceeds from the show benefit Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, whose mission it is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and challenges through equineassisted activities and therapies. Pegasus, a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, annually serves more than 300 participants, ages four and up, at its

chapters in Darien, Greenwich, Brewster, and Pleasantville.

Through decades of change, the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show has maintained its prestige, drawing generations of families to compete. As it evolves, its organizers acknowledge that the event’s biggest selling point may be its own history.

“We don’t want to lose sight of these old venues and shows,” said Flavia Callari, a member of the club’s board of stewards. “There’s a ton of history here. Everyone has a story about Ox Ridge.”

The Ox Ridge Hunt Club is situated on 37 acres, 22 of which consist of a magnificent front field. Its extensive indoor and outdoor facilities are considered some of the finest in Fairfield County.

Image donated by Nick Ellis, provided courtesy of USHJA Wheeler Museum William Gillies

The Fairfield County Hunt Club can trace its beginnings to 1923, when Averell Harriman commissioned Westport’s Laura Gardin Fraser, the famous sculptor, to design and execute a polo medal. To study her subject, she borrowed polo mallets, mounted a horse, and started knocking around a polo ball on her estate.

Another acquaintance, Lila Howard, joined her. The sight of two women trying polo attracted local attention, even in such a horse community as Westport.

Men joined the fray, and local games were organized with two stone gateposts serving as goals. Soon the idea of a club, horse shows, polo, and hunting was discussed. The club was initiated informally in 1923; formally, in 1924. The Masters of Foxhounds Association recognized the hunt, organized by Donald Perkins, in 1926.

This year, the Fairfield County Hunt Club will be holding its 92nd-annual June Benefit Horse Show on Tuesday, June 21, through Saturday, June 25. It’s the only national horse show in Fairfield County open to the public free of charge. This early-summer contest holds more than 250 classes in which national and local equestrians of all ages can compete.

Besides the many social activities that occur throughout the week, the event features an exceptional variety of merchants and craftsmen at the Paddock Boutique, which appeals to riders and spectators alike for its equine-themed necessities and desires.

The USEF recognizes the show as a Heritage Competition, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a horse show and a distinction reserved for shows

dedicated not only to technical excellence, but also to philanthropy and community involvement. The benefit is known nationally as one of the most beautiful and prestigious shows and attracts world-class riders. In 2015, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) voted the Fairfield June Benefit Show the Members’ Choice Horse Show for Zone 1 for the third year in a row.

The event benefits the EQUUS Foundation, which is dedicated to helping move people beyond their boundaries through equine therapy. It has awarded approximately $2.5 million in grants to equine charities that aim to reduce the unwanted horse population and retrain horses for multiple careers. It also operates as part of the Equine Welfare Network, which comprises more than 800 organizations.

The show’s luncheon will take place under the fabled white tents on Saturday, June 25, in association with Family Fun Day and its most recognized event, the $25,000 Grand Prix.

St. Peter’s Charity Horse Show The seeds of St. Peter’s Charity Horse Show were planted more than 60 years ago with the formation of the Cheshire Saddle and Bridle 4-H Club by two of the parish’s couples, Harmon and Josephine Leonard and Newell and Marion McDonald.

The group’s riding lessons and games took place either at the Leonards’ or the McDonalds’ property. As the club’s membership grew, so did the popularity of the activities. It soon became necessary to find a location larger than a backyard, so a permanent ring was built on the Leonards’ six-acre hay-

William Gillies

Fairfield County Hunt Club Benefit Horse Show

Top: Rodney Jenkins and Idle Dice at the 1974 Ox Ridge Charity Show.

Middle: Libby McKinney and Touch Me Not at the 1971 Fairfield County Hunt Club Show. Botton: Leslie Brown and Wennol Bechan at the 1971 Fairfield County Hunt Club Show.

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March/April 2016

Morgans, and driving horses. A second ring was then added to accommodate the increased number of classes.

Expanded breed representation, in addition to the equitation, hunter, jumper,

courtesy of Fairfield County Hunt Club

field. Town records indicate that St. Peter’s Church sponsored annual gymkhanas as far back as 1959.

Every year, in July, the club held a horse show that was cosponsored by either St. Peter’s Church or the Cheshire Kiwanis Club; management of this local 4-H show fell to various church volunteers. In 1973, the current manager, Cynthia Jensen, took over the organization of the event.

In 1974, St. Peter’s Church voted to change the date from the traditional early-July weekend to September in an effort to broaden the parishioners’ participation by avoiding vacation times.

The Cheshire 4-H Club preferred to run its show in the summer; consequently, the St. Peter’s Church Horse Show was officially born.

In the mid-1970s, Harmon Leonard retired from his medical practice and the family moved to Colorado. The search for a new location brought the parish to the rolling fields of Norton Field, in Cheshire.

The show’s reputation and regard increased, and soon, at the request of the state’s breed associations, the show was enlarged to include purebred Arabians, half Arabians, color breeds,

grew the dimensions of Norton Field and the search was back on. Lack of suitable available open space in Cheshire meant the church had to look beyond the town — and found the perfect facility: Bethany Airport.

In 1980, the parish voted to distribute the show’s profits to outreach projects in Cheshire and surrounding communities, as well as projects it supported. Since then, more than $233,000 has flowed to charitable programs both within Connecticut and abroad.

St. Peter’s 42nd-annual Charity Horse Show will be held on Sunday, September 24, at the Old Bethany Airport on Amity Road, Route 63, in Bethany.

Tri-State Horsemen’s Association’s Show Series

The acress Gene Tierney, 1940.

western, and pleasure divisions, made St. Peter’s Church Horse Show one of the most popular in the state, appealing to all styles of riding and driving.

With these additions, the show out-

If you’re looking for shows that emphasize family, friendship, and fun, then the Tri-State Horsemen’s Association’s series is for you. It features a weekend schedule of events with a selection of options suitable for any equestrian’s interest or specialty. Multiple generations have participated in the 44-yearold club’s activities, and during its history, there’s actually been grandmas,

Arnold Genthe

Grounds. These competitions will be moms, and their children showing held on May 22, June 19, and July 31. together. Many participants refer to these events as “three-day extravaganzas This series holds Introductory Level Tests 1 through 3 and Training Level for horses and riders.” Appropriately, Tests 1 through 3 for junior, amateur, every weekend event has traditionally launched on the preceding Thursday with a family-style potluck dinner.

Among the open classes are Open Pleasure English and Western, Equitation Western and English, Walk, Trot, and Canter for beginner through adult, Hunter Hack, Hunter Over Fences, Lead Line, breed classes, Barrel Racing, and Pole Bending. Trail classes, Miniature Horses, driving, and saddle-seat classes just add to the TSHA’s Show’s varied opportunities.

This year’s open shows Fairfield County Hunt Club Show circa 1923–1943. and open riders. It also features the will be held June 3–5, July 8–10, and August 19–21 at the beautiful, sprawling First Level Tests 1 through 3. Western dressage tests are included with 450 acres of Oneco’s Falls Creek Farm.

Introductory Level Tests 1 through 3 Making sure every discipline is covand Basic Level Tests 1 through 3. ered, the association also holds a dressage series for both English and western riders at the Woodstock Horse Show

Shallowbrook Annual Charity Horse Show The Shallowbrook Equestrian Center opened its doors on November 25, 1962. At that time, Hal Vita and his family began operating a 17-stall stable with a light load of four horses and two ponies. The surrounding fields offered much promise, but nothing more. A lot has changed since that humble beginning.

Today, the center houses newly renovated stalls, a new show barn, private turnouts, two outdoor sand rings, one outdoor grass ring, a hunt course, a polo field, and two indoor arenas that enable participants in its shows to remain under cover for the entire event, affording entrants a more convenient environment to concentrate on their competition and schooling.

Shallowbrook’s first sanctioned show, in 1963, was a one-day event, but it eventually led to the center’s annual four-day, A-rated Fourth of July Olympic Committee Horse Show (since then, the date has changed to the second week of June).

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From Thursday, June 9, through Sunday, June 12, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center will be hosting its 38th-annual Charity Horse Show, in Somers. The four-day show attracts many elite New England equestrians, and also continues to draw entry-level participants from area farms. In all, there will be some 300 exhibitors and 300-plus spectators. Affiliations include national and regional organizations, such as the PHA, the CHSA, the CHJA, and the Blue Ribbon Ventures Hoof Print Series.

From the youngest lead-line competitors to the thrills of the open jumpers with classical hunters and the intensity of the upper equitation classes, the Shallowbrook Charity Horse Show has become a highly anticipated event.

Naomi Gauruder, founder and owner of BHC Management and Blue Ribbon Ventures, who oversees the event, says, “There’s something for everyone at Shallowbrook.”

The show benefits the Blue Ribbon Foundation, whose goal, according to its mission statement, is “to promote education, safety, sportsmanship, and competition by providing financial and educational assistance to individuals and organizations in their pursuit of developing riders into well-rounded horsemen.” Through its grant program, it supports equestrians in the areas of education, training, travel, and competition.

Complimentary events are Thursday’s wine-and-cheese reception and another on Saturday; an exhibitor party and barbecue on Friday; and icecream socials on Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday morning there’s the Derby Day Mimosas and Brunch, featuring the Derby Hat Contest, for which attendees may decorate and wear their most festive, fantastic, over-the-top creations — and prizes will be awarded.

Also among Sunday’s many activities are the $3,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and the $1,000 Mr. & Mrs. Hal A. Vita Hunt Team Challenge: teams of two or three riders compete over a jump course that combines two of Shallowbrook’s outdoor rings. The course culminates with each team executing a spectacular three-abreast fence jump-off.

As a harsh winter’s memories begin to fade and we rejoice in spring’s triumphant return, as we and our equine partners enter the show ring to compete for the ribbons, trophies, and accolades, 12

March/April 2016

courtesy of Ox Ridge Hunt Club

Sandsablaze at the 1973 Ox Ridge Junior Jumpers.

let’s take a moment to appreciate that these competitions are still thriving because of the generations of families and the myriad individuals who have dedicated their time and energy to preserve the rich and distinguished heritage of each of these classic events.

Sally L. Feuerberg is the president of the Middlebury Bridle Land Association and a longtime resident of Newtown. Trail riding and continuing her lesson programs are her passions, along with the care of her family, horses, and farm.

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Connecticut Horse

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Horseperson Feature

Hartford

by Andrea Bugbee

Patricia Kelly Hartford’s Premier Ebony Horsewoman

T

male and female equestrians there, and Ray Parker is a reiner supreme. We’re out there,” Pat says. “We’ve been out there for decades, centuries. Maybe we just don’t hit the mainstream, but we’ve got the stuff.”

courtesy Photos by Merle

he northeast section of Hartford isn’t all skyscrapers and traffic jams, but it isn’t a place you’d expect to see a horse farm, either. The houses are huddled in dense, workingclass neighborhoods freckled with convenience and liquor stores, gas stations, and churches. Lawns are tiny throw rugs of grass and now snow, and even the dogs are compact, city breeds.

The majority of residents driving by, waiting for a bus, and walking down the street are African American or Latino — and minorities hardly dominate the modern stereotype of a Connecticut equestrian. Yet northeast Hartford is exactly where Patricia (Pat) Kelly stables her 15 horses, 17 rabbits, a flock of chickens, and two tropical lizards.

It’s home to Ebony Horsewomen, a nonprofit organization Pat brought to Hartford after she discovered the power horses have to capture, and calm, the minds and hearts of inner-city kids.

Paradoxically, at Ebony Horsewomen, the riders aren’t women, and not all are Black.

Instead, they’re inner-city boys and girls, children and adolescents. All of them love horses. All of them are willing to work for the chance to ride — and every one of them is either African American or Latino.

“The myth is that Blacks are invisible in the horse industry, but if you just sift past the surface, you find that’s not true,” says Pat, herself an equestrian of color. Her energy is magnetic, and everything about her seems younger than her 68 years. “The first thirteen winners of the Kentucky Derby were Black men,” she says. “Back in the days of the Wild West, one in three cowboys was Black, and don’t forget the Ninth Cavalry and the Buffalo Soldiers.”

Actually, 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derby races were won by Black jockeys, who dominated all levels of horseracing until segregation swept them off the track: Between 1921 and 2000, no African American jockeyed the Kentucky Derby at all. Then, in May 2000, Marlon St. Julien guided his mount, Curule, to a seventh-place finish.

“There’s the Brothers Johnson Trail Ride, out of Port Republic, Maryland.

There’s got to be two thousand Black 14

March/April 2016

Ebony Horsewomen Although it was 1999 when Ebony Horsewomen officially moved into its present home, on Vine Street, the entity had been gestating in Pat’s experiences for years. It began, like so many great stories, with the love of a horse.

In the 1950s, when she was only nine years old, Pat moved into a house just blocks from Vine Street: only the second African American family to move into a previously all-white neighborhood. There, a caucasion grocer — Mr. Fisher — invited her to visit his cart horse. It was he who taught Pat to groom and tack a horse, to care for it, and, eventually, to ride.

“From the moment he handed me the brush, that was it. That changed my life right there,” Pat says. “With Mr. Fisher, I gained consciousness, confidence, and balance. I had what I needed to get it right. I understood the

horse, and I gained some technique.”

Later, as a U.S. Marine (she enlisted so she could use the GI Bill to pay for college), Pat stole chances to ride wherever she was stationed.

Pat married, had two daughters, and divorced. It was then that she connected with a Hartford-area group of African American riders who called themselves the Ebony Horsemen. She pestered one of them, Eddy “Puddin’head” Merritt, until he finally let her go to his Glastonbury farm to ride.

Joyfully back in the saddle, Pat says, “I felt such an incredible peace. I called a girlfriend and said, ‘You have to try this.’ She came and got the same feeling. Before you knew it, Puddin’head had an entire house full of women. We’d bring groceries and cook. This was a club now. We did that for months and months and months. I formed Ebony Horsewomen sitting right on his living room floor.

“You’ve got to understand,” she says, “in the early eighties, Black women were basically relegated to going to the grocery store, movies, or church. I formed Ebony Horsewomen for the cultural and social enrichment of Black women.”

Sometimes, she says, life got her down, so she’d head out to the barn at 10 or 11 at night, only to find another woman already there, also seeking solace.

Pat had often felt the magic of horses blanketing her with peace, and now she was seeing her friends having the same experience.

Eventually, Puddin’head ousted his female squatters, who were ultimately taken in by Gail Ballard, in Windsor.

“Gail, she was so, so kind,” says Pat. “She and her son, Gary, are good people.

Gail spent the time to fine-tune our riding. She taught us about bits and saddle fitting and things.”

Ambassadors of Peace Professionally, Pat worked in legal services and became involved with a program for first offenders. Combining her work with her hobby, she piloted a program called Project Horse Sense, through which she would trailer her horses to the housing projects, just to get kids’ attention. Pat would tell them

all about her horses, then a physician and a social worker would teach them about making healthy life choices.

“Back in the nineteen eighties, there was a big heroin problem here in Hartford,” she says. “We couldn’t unload the horses until we cleaned the needles out of the grass.” One homeless little boy, Sedrick, illustrated the power of what she had just begun. Multiple times, he’d met the group. He made it his job to get the kids into lines for hot dogs and pony rides. He scooted the kids back to keep their toes safe from heavy hooves. “And he was gooood!”

Pat says. “Being around those horses gave him a sense of purpose and pride.

Sedrick connected me to exactly what the women had already found out.”

By 1999, Pat had petitioned to give her organization a home in the empty stables of the Hartford Mounted Patrol, in the lap of Keney Park in northeast Hartford. She had just lost her job at an area law office when her petition was granted. Walking onto the grounds of what is now Ebony Horsewomen that first day, Pat says, “the buildings were brown and beige. It was ugly, but it was the most beautiful thing in the world to me.” She only had two horses back then, so she bought two more. “These neighborhood kids would come in, and this became their home. They fell into this like it was something they had done their entire life. They would fight over who was going to get to clean that next stall. They were being healed.”

There’s No Place Like Home — Except a Barn According to Hartford.gov’s 2015 crime statistics, by mid-December, Connecticut’s capital city had suffered 31 murders, 138 shootings, 55 rapes, 926 burglaries, and 869 auto thefts.

“This neighborhood ain’t no joke,” Pat says. “I want the kids in here so they aren’t out there.”

For that reason, Ebony Horsewomen is open 365 days a year.

“Three hundred sixty-sixty if it’s a leap year,” chimes in Executive Assistant and Program Director Dominique Bourgeois, a smiling, efficient young woman who entered the program at 16.

“The fact of the matter is that this neighborhood is full of hardworking, overburdened parents who are doing the best they possibly can, and they’re overwhelmed,” Pat says. “And with that, we have to have a better educational system.” Her own brand of education marries hard work and responsibility to reward.

Her underlying lessons are harsh

but real. “I tell the kids, ‘This horse is not a tool. This is not your bike,’ ” she says. “I tell them, ‘This is an animal. He has feelings.’ That translates to: ‘If I can care about this horse, I can care about you.’ It’s empathy. I’m not fighting you.

I’m not shooting you. When you’re on a horse out in the open and it’s just you and him, you all gotta work your problems out.”

For the African American and Latino teenage males who earn it, Ebony Horsewomen has a program that allows them to serve under mentor Anthony Gonzalez as mounted park rangers in the 694-acre Keney Park.

As an experiment, Pat once asked one of these young men to go out to the bus stop on Vine Street wearing his hoodie. There were a couple of women standing there, and their body language tightened away from him. Then she asked the same young man to go out to the bus stop wearing his cowboy hat. A woman turned to him and smiled. “You ride horses?” she asked.

“They’re no longer scary Black men,” Pat says. “They get respect, which is what a man has to have. They put on their cowboy hats and the community sees them differently.”

Right now, Ebony Horsewomen annually serves 300 children. It has a staff of 11, including instructors, counselors, and therapists. It boasts a summer camp, a 4-H program, a classroom, an indoor arena, a kitchen (complete with a stack of kid-sized chef hats), a dressage team, and the shortest, happiest bunch of grooms and stall muckers Hartford has ever seen.

“So am I fulfilled?” Pat beams in anticipation of her own answer: “Heck yeah! It’s something when God has given you a purpose in life. That doesn’t mean he makes the road smooth in front of you, but you know it will get worked out one way or another.

It’s a faith walk. I had some other ideas in my head, but I can just see God laughing and saying, ‘That’s cute, but you’re going to be messing with kids and manure instead.’ ” One day, clopping past a housing project at the end of Albany Avenue, a little boy shouts out, “Hey, lady, is that a horse? A real horse?” When Pat says yes, he turns to his friend: “See, I told you it was a horse.”

Presents the 21st

Equine Expo Paraphernalia Sale Saturday, April 30, 2016 . 9-3 Large marketplace of new and used items!

Plus services for the horse, rider, and driver.

Demonstrations All Day . $5 Admission Held in the indoor arena at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1, Topsfield Vendor Spaces Available . Free Parking

Contact Kay at: 978-768-6275 or kljoreo@aol.com

Southwick resident Andrea Bugbee is a Pony Club mom, an IEA mom, and a backyard horse enthusiast. She does most of her writing while she waits for her daughter in the parking lots of numerous wonderful stables scattered throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.

Connecticut Horse

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Farm Feature Middlefield

by Lisa Peterson

Epic Farm Mother and Daughter

J

Lisa Peterson

ill Kulmann’s early success in the ing in the Children’s Hunters and horse community centered on Junior Hunters, at Simsbury’s Folly breeding Welsh ponies. Today her Farm and the Farmington Polo Club. business, Epic Farm in Middlefield, She also rode many of the ponies Jill is a family-run operation with a robust owned and bred — one of them was hunter/jumper program claiming yearthat foundation broodmare, Rosecroft end awards and championships for its Smart Cookie — and even competed in satisfied customers.

Jill grew up in Easton with a pony in her backyard and lessons on fancy ponies at nearby Sweetbrier Farm. “I had to have one,” Jill says. “I wanted a fancy pony like Marvel-Us, Bonnie, or Sprite. I guess I never got over that.”

In 2000, she purchased 32 acres in Virginia and began to establish a breeding program of Welsh and Welsh/Thoroughbred ponies. “I got into the breeding because I bought some project ponies and one didn’t work out,” Jill says. That pony — Molly, a.k.a.

Rosecroft Smart Cookie — came from a famous line and became Jill’s foundation broodmare.

Eventually, Jill teamed up with famed horseman Richard Taylor, whom she credits as her mentor and for her pony-breeding achievements, such as many wins at Devon and the Pony Finals.

Ten years later, in 2010, Jill wanted a barn back home in Connecticut. She discovered a 27-acre parcel on Cherry Hill Jaime Richard and Jill Kulmann.

Road in Middlefield; Epic Farm officially opened with a driveway, some the Medal/Maclays. fields turned into paddocks, and shedAt 15, Jaime developed a passion row barns to house the ponies, who for snowboarding and put horses on the came up from Virginia. back burner. She went on to support A few years late, Jill quit her fullherself as a professional snowboarding time job as a computer programmer. athlete for more than a decade, and Soon she was making plans to build a even competed in the X Games. beautiful barn, a spacious indoor arena, “I wanted to hang out more with and a unique working space within the friends from school and I started comcomplex: “It’s so amazing to be able to peting in snowboarding,” Jaime says. come here, to say this is what I do, this “Snowboarding also made it possible for is my office,” she says. me to travel and compete around the world. If it wasn’t for snowboarding, I Like Mother, Like Daughter wouldn’t be the trainer I am today.”

Today Jill manages Epic with her daughJaime started her equine career as a ter, Jaime Richard, who is also head groom/assistant trainer/barn mantrainer. ager/rider in the Northeast, then Jaime had her first pony when she moved to Tennessee to work as a head was just four years old; she grew up ridtrainer at the South’s well-known 16

March/April 2016

Jaeckle Centre. Jaime returned to her home state in 2009, just before her mom bought the Epic Farm land.

The farm eventually added an outdoor ring and for two years the pair operated with just that, using the ponies they had bred in Virginia. In the meantime, Jaime, who lives down the street, had two children: Emilia and Jagger.

Emi, now six, has already won multiple championships (framed photos of her winning ribbons on their home-bred Royal Treasure hang on the walls of the barn) and Jagger, at the advanced age of three, recently debuted in the Lead Line division.

Last year Emi won the yearend CHJA and CHSA Short Stirrup Hunter awards. “You can’t get her off a horse,” Jaime says. “She’s just so focused.”

This family atmosphere is part of what draws riders to the facility, and the clientele isn’t just children: Mothers take lessons with Jill as their daughters learn from Jaime, and an extended family of cousins come to the barn. “Even trainers bring their kids here for lessons,” says Jaime, and there are dressage riders who take advantage of the boarding, and, for a fee, bring in their own instructors.

“We do lots of local shows, HITS Saugerties, and the Vermont Summer Festival,” says Jaime. “Our goal is to go to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.”

The barn’s 2016 show calendar includes stops at Old Salem Farm, the Pines Farm, the Fairfield County Hunt Club, the Westbrook Hunt Club, the Mystic Valley Hunt Club, and AA-rated shows. Jill and Jaime plan to help their riders get to compete at the finals of the Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association and the Connecticut Horse Show Association.

The New Barn Is Epic Sitting majestically in the middle of grass fields and a dozen paddocks, with a courtyard complete with a bronze statue of a girl and her pony, is Epic

Farm’s barn complex, built by King Construction of Pennsylvania and finished a little more than a year ago. The state-of-the-art barn has two 10-stall aisles that flank the courtyard. As you leave either one, you arrive in a bright, heated work area between the barn and the indoor arena. A horse and rider can go from the barn to the tack-up aisle to the indoor arena without encountering the cold wind or dark night of winter.

The 11-foot-high ceilings, a fan in each stall, and cross ventilation keep the air fresh.

“Last winter was our first, and only once in that cold snap did we have to turn on the heaters on the automatic waterers,” says Jaime. “It’s neat: the horses keep it all warm in the unheated aisles.” The layout promotes rest for the horses and ponies, as all grooming, bathing, and traffic to and from the arena is done away from the aisles. Each horse has a 12' x 12' stall with a full-view door into the indoor aisle. Every stall also has a dutch door with a window to the courtyard and across the open lands.

Each of the four groom/wash stalls, conveniently located across an aisle from the tack rooms, has rubber foot-

ing, hot water, infrared heaters, and bright lighting. Jill and Jaime each have an aisle with their students and clients, and each aisle has its own 12' x 20' tack room. For riders there are three heated bathrooms, one with a shower and dressing area.

The centerpiece of the complex is the 204' x 84' indoor arena, with fluffy white footing and an elevated 12' x 24' heated viewing lounge complete with a kitchen and dining table. In the summer, 20 roll-up windows let in natural light and fresh air. On the outside of the viewing lounge is a covered porch to sit and relax while watching the farm’s activities.

“This is the best place ever,” Jill says.

Lisa Peterson’s lifelong involvement with horses spans teaching equitation and horsemanship as well as riding to hounds, hunter/jumper horse shows, and hunter paces. A weekly columnist for the Newtown Bee, she also blogs about horses, hounds, and history. She lives in Newtown with her husband and three Norwegian elkhound show dogs.

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17

Youth Spotlight

Newtown

by Lisa Peterson

Kiersten Banas A Cinderella Story

K

During her early “career,” Kiersten trained with Tami Corsi, of West Wind Stables, in Southbury, and enjoyed many amazing wins on a leased Appaloosa pony named Skittles. Their list of accomplishments is impressive.

Tiffany Lindeborn Photography

iersten Banas’s love affair with horses started with a pony ride when she was just six years old.

“I went to a friend’s birthday party at the Ridge,” Kiersten says, “and afterward I found a free lesson coupon in the gift bag.” That visit to a horse barn, located in her hometown of Newtown, would change her life.

After that fateful ride, on a horse named Whisper, she asked her mom, Kathleene, if she could use that coupon. Mom agreed to let her give it a try. Today, 10-year-old Kiersten has won championships and reserves at recognized shows, one of which was the 2014 Vermont Summer Festival Circuit Champion, in the Short Stirrup Hunter division.

“I’ve always liked horses,” Kiersten says as she gets her saddle in the tack room at Brushy Hill Farm, in Southbury, for a jumping lesson.

One of her closest friends, Bridget Buechelmaier, 16, whom she met while riding at the Ridge, is her barn buddy. Even their horses, Bridget’s Bart and Kiersten’s pony (Wish Upon A Star, a.k.a. Cinderella), a sixyear-old, 14.2-hand Morgan/ Haflinger, are stabled next to each other.

While in the indoor arena watching Kiersten jump, Bridget says she and her friend help each other out. “We give pep talks to each other, make jokes, and try to ride at the same shows,” Bridget says.

Kiersten and Bridget have been together since the beginning. In fact, it was Bridget who held the lead line on Whisper as Kiersten took that first pony ride.

Competitions In January 2013, less than a year after that initial lesson, Kiersten competed — on Whisper — at her first horse show, at the Westbrook Hunt Club.

That winter she competed in the rest of the Reindeer Horse Show Series. More shows followed, and she gained valuable experience at other venues, such as Mystic Valley Hunt Club, in Gales Ferry, and Fox Crossing Equestrian Center, in Bethlehem.

18

March/April 2016

“Riding Skittles really improved her showmanship,” Kathleene says. After a few more shows, her daughter began winning champion and reserve champion ribbons, including the winter 2014 Atlanta Winter Classic Elite Shows riding Skittles in the Short Stirrup division.

After her circuit win at the Summer Vermont Festival, she headed to the Connecticut Horse Shows Association’s Finals in two divisions. Kiersten and Skittles placed in Training Hunter.

A Cinderella Story Her 2104 show season victories reflect just what a great team Kiersten and Skittles made. But then along came her own first pony, a gift from her grandfather just after her grandmother passed

away. “Kiersten believes that Nana sent her Cinderella,” says Kathleene. “She and Cinderella clicked.” And sparkle.

Today the pony’s neatly clipped body displays a double heart stenciled on her left hindquarter, a surprise gift from her trainer, Tiffany Lindeborn.

“I love to dress Cinderella in pink sparkles, especially on her forehead,” Kiersten says, as leads the pony to her stall. She gently covers the pony with a blanket.

“She really loves Cinderella, and does a good job on cross-rails and can even do verticals,” says Tiffany. “We’re working on her core. I try to give her visualizations of what I want her to do, so when I want her to sit deeper in her saddle, I’ll tell her to push forward as if she was on a swing set.”

Kiersten’s 2015 show season started off with the Pines Farm Horse Show, where she won in the Short Stirrup Equitation and Short Stirrup Hunter divisions. By the fall, she added Short Stirrup division champion and reserve champion in the Pleasure and Open Road Hack divisions at the Lakeville Open Horse Show, at Riga Meadow Equestrian Center in Salisbury. She was also Short Stirrup Hunter champion at Hayes Farm Equestrian Center, in Rocky Hill, and Fox Crossing Equestrian Center, in Morris. To cap things off, she won in the Walk Trot Canter, the Opportunity Hunter, and the Walk Trot Canter Pleasure divisions at the Fair Hill Farm Triple Crown Series, in Easton.

“She never feels nervous, and whether she warms up doesn’t matter,” Kathleene says. “She goes in and does a great job.”

“Cinderella is greener than Skittles and Kiersten does a great job of training her during each ride. They’re currently working on lead changes during jumping courses and putting together the different elements of a more complex course into one smooth performance,” Tiffany says.

“She’s extremely smart and gets it on the first try. She’s really thinking and is a quick learner,” says her friend Bridget. “She’s a brave rider, always looking to challenge herself. She works

well with green horses — she takes it nice and slow with them.”

This year’s goal is to qualify for the Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association and Connecticut Horse Show Association finals in the Short Stirrup division as well as the Pony Finals.

“I like to jump,” Kiersten says, “and I like to get up early. I also like to see other horses in the ring that I haven’t met.”

“She may look distracted sometimes when riding, but once she’s in the ring, she turns it on and everything is perfect,” Tiffany says. “She doesn’t get rattled. You never see her get upset.

She’s a nice rider whose equitation is getting better all the time.”

Bridget says Kiersten is not one to stand around and let others do the grunt work: “She helps water, turn out, sweep, and feed, and has even helped out leading the kids in the summer camp. She works well with the younger girls and loves to teach them all about horses.”

LIFE FOR A 10-year-old isn’t all horses, of course.

“Kiersten does extremely well academically,” Kathleene says. “She’s also been a part of Reflections, which is a national arts program and competition that encourages students to focus on

their creativity. Each year has a different theme. In 2013, the theme was Believe, Dream, Inspire and Kiersten placed fourth in the country for her film entry, A Horse Lover’s Dream” — which paid homage to instructor Tami Corsi.

“I like math and language arts,” says Kiersten, a fifth-grader at Newtown’s Reed Intermediate School.

She also plays the piano and flute and is on the ski team and the student council.

Right now, though, there’s Cinderella. “She loves me,” says Kiersten.

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19

Lend a Hoof Old Lyme

by Elaine Juska Joseph

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding

T

Elaine Juska Joseph

disorders, developmental and intellecurning off Boston Post Road tual delays, and traumatic brain and onto Town Woods Road in Old spinal-cord injuries.

Lyme, you may feel as if you’ve High Hopes is accredited by the been transported to rural New England.

Professional Association of Therapeutic Perhaps it’s the towering trees; perhaps it’s the glimpse of a lake, pretty cottages Horsemanship International (PATH, on its shores. You’re on your way to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, where the combination of gentle horses, highly trained instructors, and caring volunteers changes lives.

Continue down the long driveway and suddenly the 120-acre property comes into view: the large barn, run-in sheds, ponds, and 20 acres of pastureland. There are three miles of riding and driving trails, along with a sensory-integration trail.

And everything is wheelchair accessible.

The main building contains staff offices, a library, a classroom, and a therapy room for unmounted work.

Attached is the 21-stall barn, Judith Cohen and Vixen.

Intl., formerly NARHA). People in the immaculate. The indoor arena, with its field come from as far away as Asia and special ramp, is 20,000 square feet.

South America to learn best practices Most of the horses remain outduring workshops and with hands-on doors, perfectly content with the freedom to come and go from their shelters experience.

When Sis Gould established High at will — that is, when they’re not workHopes, in 1974, says, Kitty, “we were ing with their riders and drivers. nomadic. We borrowed facilities in High Hopes is one of the oldest, Madison, Old Lyme, Killingworth, and and one of the largest, therapeutic ridWestbrook. Sis was a lifetime equine ing centers in the country. “Our misenthusiast and also an educator, so for sion,” says Kitty Stalsburg, the executive director, “is to serve children and adults her it made sense that horses were motivational.” with a wide variety of disabilities with Today there are 25 working horses equine-assisted activities and to provide in the program, but, says Kitty, they’re training and education to those in the always looking for more. “There’s no field and those interested in the field.” one particular breed,” she says. “It’s the Kitty has been with High Hopes for 30 kind, gentle soul, the been-there, doneyears. “We’ve grown to the point now that horse that has confidence in where we serve more than fifteen hunhumans.” dred individuals a year,” she says, “two Participants enjoy riding, driving, hundred and forty a week.” and an ever-growing unmounted comAmong the challenges faced by ponent.

High Hopes participants are autism, High Hopes is reaching out to atcerebral palsy, Down syndrome, multirisk, vulnerable youth populations and ple sclerosis, visual and hearing impairworking with health organizations for ments, emotional or behavioral 20

March/April 2016

vocational training. “When you spend time with a horse from the ground, it’s about relationships,” Kitty says. “It’s about being honest, it’s about caring for another sentient being. Some don’t have that in their lives, and don’t know how to interact in a positive social environment. When the participant doesn’t feel good about him- or herself, the horse becomes a huge confidence builder.”

The program is not appropriate for everyone, however. “If someone has behaviors that are injurious to himself, to others, or to the animals,” Kitty says, “then High Hopes doesn’t put its horses, volunteers, staff, or the participant in jeopardy.” Other problems, such as trouble with head control and seizures, are not appropriate for mounted activities. “But one of the things we’re really good at,” she says, “is problem solving, coming up with alternatives.

Years ago, High Hopes had a rider with muscular dystrophy whose condition worsened in such a way that she could no longer sit astride, so Sis Gould implemented the carriage-driving component.”

The driving program at High Hopes is rapidly growing. There are two certified instructors, but, says Kitty, “we’re always looking for people who could become able-bodied whips — people with driving experience — for that program. We have six hundred volunteers and more than thirty thousand volunteer hours.” Although that sounds like a lot, a shortage of volunteers is one of its greatest resource limitations. “We do provide a lot of volunteer training, with full-day workshops,” Kitty says. “We value our volunteers tremendously.”

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

“There’s a very physical element that happens when a rider sits on a horse,” says Kitty. “That movement can’t be duplicated n any other situation.

Someone who doesn’t have normal development, doesn’t walk with equal

ambulation, that normalized movement will help to activate trunk control, neurological control, sensory systems.

When a rider sits on a horse, that can change the ability to enunciate and use language; it can change brain patterns and sensory input through different activities. It enables children with autism, for example, to attend and focus. It improves balance, digestion, and circulation. It doesn’t stop!

“And then there’s the whole other relationship, emotionally,” she says.

“Getting on a thousand-pound animal and being in control increases selfawareness and sensitivity to the world around them. And horses have unconditional acceptance. People feel comfortable here. It’s a place lacking judgment. There’s a quality of life affirmation.”

Kitty cites a man who was training to become a police officer. “He was out with a group of prisoners,” she says, “when one of them made a break for it, and this gentleman was kicked in the head. It caused a slow bleed and brain injury. He’s a young man, in the prime of his life, and this happened, and life was permanently altered. He had speech and cognitive issues; the ability to live independently was taken from him. Before he came here, his quality of life was poor, and that led to depression. The first time he got on a horse, when he got off, it was the first time he actually walked on his own again. I think there’s an empowerment that happens. Now it’s a social, physical, and recreational activity for him.”

She provides another example: “A woman who has been riding with us for probably thirty-five years was very involved with cerebral palsy. Over the years,” Kitty says, “there were physical changes that made mounted activates more and more challenging. She was such an enthusiast about the horse, and the independence that horses could give her, that she became a carriage driver. She now lives for those moments when she can come here, get those reins in her hands, and go carriage driving along our trails.”

High Hopes serves many local school districts, among them Groton, New London, East Lyme, Old Lyme, Montville, Essex, and Deep River. Once in the stables and handling the horses, the young people are all smiles. They learn to groom the horses and are encouraged to express themselves, which they are more open to doing.

THE LARGE, COMFORTABLE waiting room has a huge window looking out onto the indoor ring. A woman riding a tall, substantial bay has such authority that she is mistaken for a trainer — she is, in fact, a participant. “I’ve been riding here since 2010,” says Judith Cohen, “and I’ve volunteered as a writer and barn worker since 2012. My instructor is Lauren, a phenomenal teacher. She’s the kind of person who says ‘What is it you can’t do?’ then helps you to do it.

Participating in the riding program at High Hopes has helped me get my body to do things it isn’t used to, and the teachers here put you on a path to improvement.

“Riding is a vacation from everything else in life,” she says. “I get lost in the minutiae of making that one beautiful turn with my horse. Very few venues are as safe for a person with a physical or other disability to ride at as is High Hopes. I’m in my mid-sixties and started here after a bilateral hip replacement. The instructors’ expectations of me were higher than mine were of myself. There’s a culture of kindness here — with the herd and with all the people who enter the building.”

As for the horses, a great love for most of her life, Judith has this to say: “Their decency as creatures is healing to people.”

Elaine Juska Joseph lives on a farm in rural Lisbon with her husband, Terry, and their carriage horses (Percherons), driving ponies, and dogs. She is a visual artist and has been a freelance writer for numerous equine publications for more than a decade.

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21

Trail Guide

Washington

Steep Rock Association

by xx Stearns

by Stacey Stearns

A

other hand, must coexist with quite a number of trail users — this is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, and families, many with their dogs, not just from Connecticut, but also from greater New York City. (If your schedule is flexible, try Steep Rock midweek, when it’s less crowded.)

Equestrian trails are specifically marked and rules are strictly enforced. Note:

Megan Thompson

mong the rolling hills of Litchfield County, Steep Rock Association (SRA), in Washington, is a 2,700-acre land trust with miles of wooded carriage roads, a rail trail, river crossings, and untamed beauty in the Shepaug River Valley. SRA consists of three main preserves: Steep Rock, Hidden Valley, and the Macricostas, but only the first two permit horseback riding.

The architect Ehrick Rossiter founded SRA in 1925, when he donated his land to a group of trustees. That 100acre tract, which incorporates the Steep Rock overlook, lies at the heart of today’s Steep Rock Preserve. In 1929, the trustees purchased the area known as the Clam Shell, through which the Shepaug River loops, thereby protecting the view in perpetuity.

Adrian Van Sinderen, one of the original trustees and the owner of the Glenholme estate, was an avid equestrian (he was president of the American Horse Show Association for three decades). In 1963, he and his wife, Jean, donated to the SRA 650 acres they called Hidden Valley.

Check ahead of time; trails close for the goshawk nesting season.

True to its name, the trails at Steep Rock are, well, steep and rocky (I recommend hoof pretection), and many have sharp drop-offs. There’s a lot of climbing here, so horses should be fit.

Steep Rock Preserve Preparation Print out maps at home; there’s a fee if you want to pick them up at SRA, the bookstore, or the town hall. You’ll find maps and other information at steeprockassoc.org.

If you’re going to Steep Rock, there’s ample parking for your trailer at the horse-riding ring. Access is from River Road; drive with caution, as roads are narrow. A Porta-Potty is available.

If you’ll be starting from Hidden Valley, access is off Route 47/Bee Brook Road. Trailers park in the large lot before the bridge, on the grassy area.

You should have a peaceful ride, as you won’t be competing with lots of other trail users.

Equestrians at Steep Rock, on the 22

March/April 2016

“There are many trails other than the main ones marked on the maps,” says Esther Fiddes, of Bethel, who rides with her husband, Jim. The couple condition their Morgans here for competitive trail events.

“I like it because there are no bikes on the woods trails,” says Esther. “Steep Rock offers an excellent combination of rail trail and dirt roads, beautiful pinewoods trails along the river, and the great workout hill up to the top, overlooking the Clam Shell. The trails connect with a network of dirt roads outside the park too.” In addition, she says, “riders can access the river to water their horses through the main parking lot near the bridge. It slopes down slowly, so you can take the horses right in.”

There are also several places to ford the river to cross to a different section of the preserve; you see them clearly marked on your map. In spring, the river may be running higher and faster, and the bottom is quite rocky. In spring and summer, Steep Rock is draped in a lovely green blanket, and the river meanders downstream through the valley.

Approximately one mile from the parking area is Steep Rock’s summit, which boasts the steepest of the preserve’s trails and is the first destination for many trail users. At the top — elevation: 776 feet — you have a fine view of the water, the forest, and the farmland in the Clam Shell section of the Shepaug River Valley. On a clear day, the blue sky and gauzy clouds feel close enough to touch.

To reach the summit, park by the riding ring and follow the green circle trail, which is an old railroad bed, to the white diamond trail.

From there, the yellow circle trail leads to the top. (Sections of both the yellow and the green trails are for hikers only, but you shouldn’t be on hiking-only sections to reach the summit.) There’s another lookout over the river and bridge on the opposite side of the preserve.

After you’ve taken in the vista, head back on the same trail. From there, stay on the yellow circle trail and ride south to ford the river near the pedestrian bridge, then ride in the Clam Shell section. The orange square trail creates a loop, which affords you a variation of the view you had from the summit.

Other points of interest are a railroad tunnel and the foundation of Holiday House. The tunnel, 235 feet long, was built in 1871–72. The Shepaug Valley Railroad stopped running in 1948, but the tunnel provides a welcome reprieve on a hot summer day.

Holiday House was built as a vacation home for working girls from New York City. Although it was dismantled in

1918, it’s a pretty site less than a quarter of a mile from the riding ring.

Hidden Valley Adrian Van Sinderen was fond of riding in the hundreds of wild acres north of his estate. He built a mile-long track on which to gallop and 30 miles of trails through the woods. Everyone was welcome to use his trails, as they provided equestrians safety from automobiles.

To access the main horse trails off the parking lot, head uphill to the right and go around the gate. (The lower trail is not for horses.) For the One Mile Gallop Trail, you must ford the river at the parking lot.

One of his favorite rides was to the Pinnacle, at an elevation of 820 feet, from which he had a 270-degree view of the valley. The lookout was constructed as a rest spot and a place to enjoy the vistas to the west. Welcoming areas of shade beckon you to take a break.

Hidden Valley also boasts the wildest section of the Shepaug River, with boulders the size of tractors dotting the water.

“The main section of rail bed, a continuation of the rail bed at Steep Rock, follows the river,” says Esther.

“There’s a section with easy access to the river about a mile in, off to the left.

There are a large number of side trails, but footing can be rough, with steep incline, requiring a fit, sure-footed horse. Steep Rock has lovely lookouts, and many beautiful wooded trails; just be prepared for steepness.”

Happy riding!

Stamford

This Olde Horse

Stacey Stearns, a lifelong equestrian from Connecticut, enjoys trail riding and endurance with her Morgan horses.

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23

Overherd

News in Our Community Costa Rica consisted of classroom work as the farriers and veterinarians learned about the culture and about the health problems they were likely to encounter.

Twin Pines Equine Veterinarian Services, in Voluntown, hosted its first talk of the Winter Lecture Series on February 10 at the American Legion in Jewett City. For five years, the husband-and-wife veterinary duo of Ashley and Matt Kornatowski have presented three lectures for clients and members of the community.

This talk was a recap of Ashley and Matt’s January trip to Costa Rica with the Equitarian Initiative, a group created by veterinarians Jay Merriam, Julia Wilson, and Mariano Hernandez-Gil to provide veterinary and farrier care to working equids (horses, mules, donkeys) in developing countries. These animals are an integral part of people’s lives: they provide access to food, water, hospitals, and education, and they’re also are a source of income. With many families struggling to keep food on the table, vet and farrier care represent a giant hurdle.

The Equitarian Initiative gives immediate vet and farrier care and training in husbandry, basic farriery, and wound-management skills.

Almost two dozen people came to hear about the weeklong trip. With a twohour PowerPoint presentation and a multitude of pictures, Ashley and Matt gave an overview of the region and talked about the people and their equids. The vets sometimes had to take into account poverty on the one hand and humane treatment of animals on the other. The Kornatowskis also talked about current equid problems and how they solved them.

The first three days in 24

March/April 2016

and three mares from Villa Vanners beginning in September 2014. Romeo returned to his Tennessee trainer on September 7 and was immediately seen by the

Jessica Correia

Twin Pines Equine Lecture Series

Veterinarians Matt and Ashley Kornatowski, of Twin Pines Equine Veterinarian Services in Voluntown.

After that, it was into the field: They went to a different town each day and provided care to between 30 and 80 equids daily. Their work dealt primarily with vaccines, deworming, and improving basic conditions.

Ashley and Matt say that for them, this Equitarian trip is just the start.

To learn about the next two lectures, visit twinpines equine.com. n Jessica Correia

Thirty-two Horses Seized in East Hampton On February 2 the state removed 32 horses from a farm in East Hampton. The farm became the focus of a criminal inquiry in September after it returned multiple emaciated Gypsy Vanners to their Tennessee owner, according to the state Department of Agriculture (DOAg). The farm had leased the Hall of Fame Gypsy Vanner stallion Romeo

owner’s veterinarian.

Romeo’s trainer, Taylor Hanes of Hanes Performance Horses in Shelbyville, Tennessee, made arrangements to get the three broodmares and a foal off the East Hampton property the next day. The horses were taken to the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, in North Grafton, Massachusetts. The mares suffered from malnutrition and had poor body condition, according to vet records from Tufts. The mares and foal went to a rehabilitation facility, where they continued their recovery before going back to Tennessee.

For months the DOAg had provided the East Hampton Farm with help.

Even with some intervention and support, conditions didn’t improve and it became evident to the DOAg that the owners couldn’t care for the horses properly.

Consequently, the animals were seized.

“Our goal was to work with the owner to rehabilitate the horses on site,” says Dr. Bruce Sherman, director of the DOAg’s Bureau of Regulation and Inspection.

“Unfortunately, our best efforts to bring the owner into compliance didn’t result in all of the horses being cared for to the degree that we required.”

In addition to the Gypsy Vanners, horses seized were Andalusians and Friesians.

All were taken to the state’s Second Chance Large Animal Rehabilitation Facility, in Niantic.

Second Chance opened in in 2003; since then, more than 200 horses and livestock have been through it. Located at York Correctional Facility, it operates in conjunction with the Department of Corrections. Inmates can volunteer to work in partnership with DOAg personnel: the arrangement benefits the horses and the inmates.

State Representative Melissa Ziobro immediately set up a GoFundMe account.

“The money collected will be used to care for the horses at the Second Chance Large Animal Rehabilitation Facility,” she says. “Each of the horses was given an extensive examination by Thor Hyyppa, DVM, working on behalf of the DOAg.” “We’re making sure the horses’ nutritional and medical needs are met and that they’re adapting well to their new environment,” the vet says. “In general, the horses are certainly more alert and brighter than they were when they arrived here.”

“The horses currently require fifty bales of hay daily as well as forty bags of pine

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203.655.2559 | oxridge.com | 512 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820 Connecticut Horse

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March/April 2016

shavings for bedding,” says Melissa. “Grain will be introduced as feed as the horses’ condition improve.”

To make a donation to help offset the costs of caring for these horses, please send a check to: The Animal Abuse Cost Recovery Account, c/o Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Avenue, Room G8A, Hartford, CT 06106. To contribute online, visit gofundme.com/animal welfare06424. At press time, more than $15,000 had been raised toward the $20,000 goal.

Turning Loss into Hope Losing a four-legged friend is never easy, but horse lover Rebecca Hathaway has taken her grief and turned it into something positive. When she lost her beloved Patrick, she asked that those who had been touched by this bighearted schoolmaster with a stellar résumé honor his life

by making a charitable donation to Embrace Hope: Sandy Hook Equine Assisted Therapy. “I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to a horse who helped so many learn whatever it was they needed,” says Rebecca. To learn more, visit ebracehopesandyhook.org. n Karena Garrity

Touched by Horses Recently, 12 Groton area chief petty officers visited Horses Healing Humans, in Stonington, a nonprofit devoted to therapeutic healing, and presented Lee Paradis, executive director and founder of the facility, with a donation of more than $1,000. The sailors had held a fund-raiser and wanted to donate the money they raised to help a local organization.

“We were seeking a nonprofit we could help in the local community that truly made a difference,” says

Chief Electronics Technician Dustin Fore, assigned to the Naval Submarine School.

“When we learned about Horses Healing Humans and we understood that it helps traumatized veterans, including ones suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, we couldn’t imagine a better cause to give to.”

The facility, which has 11 horses, helps people with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges through equine-assisted activities and therapy. To show her gratitude, Lee invited the chief

petty officers to participate in an introduction exercise in which they were encouraged to interact with the horses. They grouped into five-person teams and began walking around the perimeter of an arena while a Morgan, an Appendix Quarter Horse, and a Welsh/Arab pony carefully watched each human.

Gradually, every horse slowly approached the groups, nuzzling them, licking their hands, or asking for a treat.

“We’re crafting equinebased courses for people that

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don’t just involve riding,” said Lee. “Other equinebased courses are Qi Cong, yoga, Reiki, visualization, and guided meditations. The donation comes at an ideal time for us. During the colder winter months, we receive fewer donations and program-service fees, as fewer people are riding or visiting the facility.”

“Horses are majestic, soulful creatures, and I can clearly see how they aid with psychotherapy,” says Dustin.

“As our tour of the grounds progressed, I felt increasingly better about our decision to donate funds to this facility.” n Bill Larned

Fly Bonnets by Emily When she wanted to do something nice for a friend, Emily Fjosee crocheted a fly bonnet for her horse. “I’ve been crocheting for years,” Emily says, “but it took a few months to develop a pattern

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March/April 2016

I was confident would fit well and be structurally sound enough to last for years.”

She chose mercerized cotton, with four-way-stretch Lycra for the ears. This type of cotton has a coating that blocks dirt and hair from getting into the yarn and prevents the yarn from getting “fuzzy” over time. Then Emily made a Facebook page and began to accept orders. Much to her surprise, she says, they started flowing in.

Most are for custom sizing. “Because I make every bonnet myself,” Emily says, “I can create them from the owners’ measurements and fit horses that don’t typically fit into a fly bonnet — Miniatures, drafts, and draft ponies.”

Recently Emily, who lives in Vernon, partnered with the charity Ride With Faith to start a scholarship fund for a child who otherwise wouldn’t be able to

afford equine therapy. In addition, she says she’s excited to be sponsoring dressage rider Annie Morris, the assistant trainer at Cloverlea Dressage, in Columbia.

compete for a chance to win up to $25,000 in grant prizes to assist with its efforts to protect horses. Mitchell Farm will hold an open barn and host demonstrations and performances along with its

of these equines, thus taking them out of the rescue stream. At Mitchell Farm, they’re allowed to remember, or in some cases learn, how to just be a horse.

“The ASPCA Help a

n Christine Church

CDHR Gelding Clinic

n Karena Garrity

Mitchell Farm Celebrates ASPCA Help a Horse Day On April 23, Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, in Salem, will celebrate the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ national Help a Horse Day (April 26) and

n Karena Garrity

Shelter from the Storm

Tracey Arnone

In an effort to put a halt to the breeding of unwanted equines, the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, in Haddam Neck, will be holding its sixth-annual Operation Gelding Clinic on April 30. Heartbroken and frustrated by the huge numbers of American horses that each year are shipped to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico, the CDHR is part of the solution and is helping put an end to backyard breeding, which contributes to the problem.

The clinic will take place on the property of the CDHR. The delicate surgery is performed by Tufts veterinary students, under the direct supervision of experienced vets.

The cost is either free or very low, depending on how much money is raised for the event by sponsors. People who would like to support this clinic are asked to “Adopt a Testicle” for a donation of $25, which will get them a colorful souvenir testicle key chain. A donation of $50, which will sponsor one horse, earns a very special brass testicle key chain, a comical reminder that you helped with a very serious situation.

For more information, visit ctdraftrescue.com.

Jack Russell puppy. The adorable factor is at an alltime high as this little guy has customers of all ages smitten.

Tracey couldn’t have asked for a better Reins ambassador, so if you’re in the Essex area and need a dose of puppy cute, stop into Reins — and say hello to Reins.

Reins.

first-ever Barnyard Olympics.

In honor of the ASPCA’s 150th anniversary, the contest has been expanded to award a total of $100,000 in grant prizes, including a grand prize of $25,000.

This nationwide competition is for equine rescues and sanctuaries to raise awareness about the lifesaving work they do, year-round, to care for at-risk horses, often abused or neglected.

Horses have been central to the ASPCA’s work since its founding, when in 1866 Henry Bergh stopped a cart driver from beating his horse, resulting in the first successful arrest for the mistreatment of a horse.

Mitchell Farm has been providing sanctuary to aged and infirm horses since 2004.

Unwanted horses are stressing rescue organizations.

Mitchell Farm provides a permanent home for a number

Horse Day contest is the perfect opportunity for our staff and volunteers to share our love for horses and dedication to raising awareness about equine-welfare issues with our neighbors,” says Dee Doolittle, founder and executive director of Mitchell Farm. “Please join us for a day of fun supporting our efforts to win a twenty-five-thousand-dollar grant, which would enable us to further our mission.” To learn more and to register to compete in the Barnyard Olympics, visit mitchellfarm.org. n Dee Doolittle

Cuteness Abounds at Reins Tracey Arnone, owner of Reins Tack Shop, in the heart of downtown Essex, has had her hands full with the arrival of store mascot Reins, an Old Fashion Irish Shortie

Beech Brook Farm Equine Rescue, in Mystic, has been busy. It received a threesome of sweet donkeys in February and the gang is reportedly settling in well. The large white donkey, the mother of the two youngsters, is affectionately called Levana, which means “white moon” in Hebrew. The name was chosen because the donkeys’ former owner fed them lots of bagels.

In other Beech Brook news, the rescue is still in search of a new location within a 30-minute drive from Mystic. If you know of any land for sale or rent that may fit the bill, please call (860) 705-8456.

Cocoa, the rescue’s pregnant dark bay Mini, is on the mend after a bout with pneumonia. Every day her brown belly is growing larger with Puff — the baby already has a name. Cocoa’s due date is in March, and the rescue is holding a contest: for a dollar, you can guess on what day Cocoa will foal. The winner will get a BBFER hoodie.

BBFER congratulations go out to Casper, Maybelline, and Martina, all of whom have found their forever homes.

To donate, volunteer, or guess the birth date, go to beechbrookfarm.webs.com. n Karena Garrity

Dressage4Kids Educational Program Dressage4Kids 14th-annual Weekend Educational Program took place at Connecticut Horse

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Nonnewaug High School, in Woodbury, on January 30 and 31. It was open to all ages and levels of experience, attracting everyone from curious parents to experienced professionals.

Lendon Gray is one of the founders of Dressage4Kids, and to say that her credentials are impressive seems inadequate.

She started in hunters, jumpers, and Pony Club (much like many of the young and enthusiastic attendees of the event). In 1975, Lendon began riding Seldom Seen, her 14.2-hand Thoroughbred/Connemara, and the pair competed in FEI dressage tests to Grand Prix level between 1977 and 1987. On Seldom Seen and four other horses, she won five gold medals at the U.S. Olympic Festivals. She represented the United States at the Dressage World Championships in 1978 and again at the 1991 Dressage World Cup in Paris. In 1980, Lendon rode for the American team at the Alternate Olympics Dressage Event at Goodwood House, in West Sussex, England. She competed in dressage on Later On with the U.S. Equestrian Team at the 1988 Olympics, in Seoul. Today, Lendon is a USDF instructor and clinician.

The well-attended weekend offered a multitude of equestrian-themed seminars, such as How to Choose an Instructor, The Student’s Responsibility to Learn, and The Anatomy of a Saddle and Saddle Fitting. Other seminars were on fitness, nutrition, equine health, insurance needs, bits and bitting, and overcoming fear.

There were also classes on dressage-related subjects — How to Study for a Test, for example, and Anything You’ve Ever Wanted to Ask a Judge but Were Afraid To. Lendon led How to Choose an Instructor, In Test 30

March/April 2016

Trouble-Shooting, and a roundtable discussion exclusively for trainers.

The keynote speaker was Denny Emerson, the only rider ever to win both a gold medal in eventing and the Tevis buckle in endurance.

The Chronicle of the Horse (2000) called him “one of the 50 most influential horsemen of the twentieth century.” Mornings, Denny enthralled the participants, ranging from exuberant youngsters to seasoned veterans, with his insights, humor, and advice as he educated and entertained with his reflections about his experiences and the equestrian legends who influenced his career.

To learn about more about Dressage4Kids, visit dressage4kids.org. n Sally Feuerberg

Educating Future Animal Lovers Fairfield Equine Associates is pleased to announce that it’s partnering with Norwalk Community College to support its new, accredited, fulltime Veterinary Technology Program. The two-year course of study, consisting of lectures and clinical hours, results in an associate’s degree and will qualify students to take the VTNE licensing exam.

The field of veterinary technology is a rapidly growing profession that offers qualified individuals exciting and diverse opportunities.

The program’s goal is to provide classroom, laboratory, and field experience that will prepare students to be highly qualified for immediate employment in veterinary offices, specialty practices, shelters, and animal-rehabilitation clinics, as well as stables and dairies.

For more information, go to norwalk.edu/dept/sciences/ vet_tech. n Karena Garrity

What’s the Scoop on Poop?

Have you considered what your horse’s manure can say about its overall health? Join the Connecticut Horse Council on March 19 at the CHC Volunteer Horse Patrol Annual Meeting, at Company 1 Fire Headquarters, 1485 Main Street, in Newington, where Michael Zulch, biology researcher at Elms College (Chicopee, Massachusetts), will give a free seminar about how he analyzes fecal samples in an attempt to further understand the ways in which the microbial populations in their gut contribute to equine health and disease.

Please RSVP to dianemorton2011@gmail.com or (860) 690-7632, and park in the rear.

If you’re interested in taking part in this research and would like to submit a sample from your horse for analysis, that would be great.

In return, Mike will do a complimentary parasite screening by fecal egg count (FEC). Using a large plastic zipper-lock bag, obtain a fresh fecal sample, just a few balls. Make sure the sample is collected no more than six hours before the event. Write your last name on the bag with permanent marker. If you’re submitting a sample from more than one horse, please label each with your last name followed by the horse’s nickname. You’ll be required to register the sample with a questionnaire upon submission. For details, contact Mike at ElmsBioResearch@gmail .com or (413) 537-6925.

New Jump for Mystic Valley Hunt Club In keeping with the overall theme of everything beach and sea related, Sally Hinkle Russell, owner of Mystic Valley Hunt Club in Gales Ferry, was overjoyed when she received her custom-

made metal seahorse jump, made for her by L. J. Enterprise Jumps, in East Lyme.

“I love this jump,” she says. “It’s beautiful.”

In the business of professional jump making for more than a quarter of a century, L. J. Enterprise has constructed jumps for horse barns and in hunter, equitation, and grand prix rings at USEF-recognized shows all along the East Coast.

Sally’s specialty jump, which will be integrated into courses at the facility’s many upcoming shows, depicts two large blue seahorses, meticulously painted to appear real.

“I would eventually like to have a whole course made of seashore-décor jumps,” says Sally, who admires wellmade jumps when she’s out on the show circuit. “This seahorse jump is so gorgeous. I absolutely love the way it turned out and I won’t let anyone put anything on it. They can’t hang their jackets or set down a coffee mug on this jump. It’s too pretty.”

Sally also commissioned a new sign for the Mystic Valley Hunt Club. The maroon sign, made by the local Brian’s Signs in Mystic, features gold and white lettering that prominently welcomes guests to the stable.

“We were in need of something new, so I enlisted ideas from my Facebook friends,” says Sally. “Everyone put in their two cents and now we have a new beautiful sign.” n Karena Garrity

Overherdisms • Can’t talk, picking up manure.

• It’s amazing when you unlock the mind of a horse.

• There’s no way I’m riding him when he’s acting like that.

• When you want to start the day out right, start it on a horse.

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Partners

and the Vista Vintage Award acknowledges that accomplishment.

To see all the award winners, visit ctdressageassoc.org.

7Pamela Wilhelm

Our goal is to foster connections within the horse community throughout the Nutmeg State, and one of the ways we do this is with our Partners Program. Connecticut organizations that partner with us receive a free one-year subscription for each member; space in the magazine for news, events, and photos; and a link from connhorse.com to its website.

Interested? Email partners@connhorse.com.

Connecticut Morgan Horse Association The Connecticut Morgan Open Horse Show, June 8 to 11 at Eastern States Exposition, in West Springfield, is excited to

Federation rated; recognized by the United States Dressage Federation as a level-two show; and a qualifying show for the Kentucky State Fair.

Invited to officiate in the main ring are Ricky Harris and Terry Jones-Brennan.

Howard Schatzberg will be the official photographer.

The nightly parties at CMOHS — including a firstever Bingo Night to be held

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March/April 2016

Granby Horse Council

Ruth Strontzer

The annual CDA Member Appreciation Party was held on January 9 at the First Congregational Church Hall, in Waterbury. Our guest speaker was Sarah Geike, of Hanover Farm in Marlborough. Sarah is a highly regarded instructor and clinician who holds many equestrian credentials.

To name a few, Sarah is a FEI**** (C)– and USEF (S)– licensed judge.

Sarah told stories from her start as a young hunt-seat rider, to her days as a combined training rider in college, to concentrating on dressage as a young adult.

Sarah stirred reflections and some head nodding from many members in attendance as she journeyed down memory lane and talked about the evolution of the discipline and competitions in the area.

Awards were then presented for the 2015 recognized CDA shows, the schooling CDA shows, and the recognized freestyles.

The Vista Vintage Award went to Jane Wasyl and Bay Breeze (65.585 at First Level). This award was created in 2008 to honor Ted Plaut’s longtime equine companion, Vista GeeWiz, a Morgan/Trakehner gelding.

It’s Ted’s philosophy that horses are living longer, healthier lives, often working and competing well into their late teens and early 20s,

year’s ride schedule. To see it, turn to the Events Calendar, starting on page 38; visit cttrailridesassoc.org; or check out our Facebook page.

Carrie Torsiello will be sponsoring the Trail Rides Hours Program, open to CTRA members only. At the fall banquet, an award will be presented to the member who has accumulated the most hours on trails only.

(Time spent in the ring, lessons, clinics, and shows do not apply.)

The CTRA would like to send well wishes to member Shirley McClary.

7Gigi Ouellette

CTRA members Shirley McClary (front) and Sue Reznak.

invite our American Saddlebred, Hackney Pony, Friesian, and sport horse friends to join us for a second time.

As it has for the past 56 years, the Connecticut Morgan Horse Association will host an event that offers a full lineup of Morgan divisions, including classes for working hunters and jumpers. The show will also feature carriage, English, and western dressage divisions open to all breeds, as well as an expanded selection of classes in the Friesian division.

CMOHS is proud to be an American Morgan Horse Association four-star-rated show, the highest ranking given. Competitors who place first through fourth in all-Morgan classes will qualify for the Grand National and World Championship Horse Show.

In addition, CMOHS is United States Equestrian

in the Connecticut Building — will entertain exhibitors and trainers alike. A host of youth activities will round out the schedule.

One of the highlights of the show is our Therapeutic Lead Line class, which is open — free of charge — to all riders with special needs.

The show covers all of their expenses: entry fees, stabling, and round-trip transportation for their very trusty mounts. All riders will receive recognition for their participation and an award.

This class is scheduled for Saturday in the early afternoon.

To lean more, visit ctmorgans.org.

7Bess Connolly Martell

Connecticut Trail Rides Association The CTRA held its first open members meeting of the year on January 17 at the Harwinton Library, during which we assembled the

We’re very proud of the work done by our 2015 program committee. For our monthly meetings, Jan Olsen and Sally King arranged a fine selection of educational presentations. Each 30- to 45minute talk preceded the business aspect.

Pete and Jess Whitmore, of It’s a Pleasure Training, in Orange, Massachusetts, who represented the Mustang Heritage Foundation and its Extreme Mustang Makeover Competition, talked about training three wild Mustangs.

The director of the McLean Game Refuge, Steve Paine, talked about the sanctuary for flora and fauna.

We’re grateful that horseback riding is allowed on designated trails within the 4,400 acres of fields and forests.

Vet tech Lisa Dinsmore and farrier Roger Dinsmore demonstrated how to remove a shoe and wrap a hoof at their Double Nickel Ranch, in Granby.

Anne Marie (Willi) Gregoire, of Silvercryst Farm, in Southwick, Massachusetts, taught us about conformation in her fabulous indoor arena using some of her home herd, including a very handsome Le Cheval Canadian. She and others

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are working to increase interest in the breed.

The horses of On Target Miniatures demonstrated jumping. Mary Adams and Gary Gudinkas also let many of our members lead Minis through an obstacle course at their farm in West Suffield.

Rachel Fleury introduced her Mustangs, Fancy and Dallas, to a crowd for the first time in preparation for the Mustang Makeover Competition, in Topsfield, Massachusetts.

Chris Strain brought one of her riders to help explain the therapeutic-riding program she runs at the Strain Family Equestrian Center, in Southwick, Massachusetts.

Rachel Hackett provided an enlightening power-point presentation on the biomechanics connection between horse and rider.

To learn more, visit the GHC Facebook page — Granby (CT) Horse Counci — while our website is under construction.

7Joan Davis

Middlebury Bridle Land Association The MBLA will hold its annual Membership Dinner, on Friday, April 8, at 6:30 P.M. at Jesse Camille’s Restaurant, in Naugatuck. This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and exchange stories about our winter adventures. We’ll take just a few minutes of our meeting to review and schedule trail-clearing dates, trail reclamations, and maintenance. We’ll also be discussing plans for this year’s spring ride. More information will be posted on Facebook and emailed to members closer to the time of the events.

Our membership types are single, family (up to four riders per household), patron, and supporting (non-riding). For rates and additional information, visit middleburybridle.org, where you can download the annual membership application/renewal form as well as the waiver and release form.

The MBLA welcomes all

disciplines of riders to enjoy our country trails and join us in our efforts to preserve and protect our equestrian heritage. Every day we’re losing more and more open spaces to development — never to be reclaimed for riding. Your support is vital! Your membership strengthens our efforts in preserving our bridle land for generations to come.

7Sally L. Feuerberg

Newtown Bridle Lands Association Our Trail of Angels (TOA) is now open. It’s an amazing place on the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation property, in Newtown. I’d to thank Lucy Prybylski and Karen De Freese, who gave countless hours to help make this dream a reality. We’ll hold a few fund-raisers this year, and ask for your support. Please join us in the fun.

The grand opening of the Trail of Angels will take place in the spring. The Hubbard family are planning

a big party for us. Let’s show them how much we appreciate all of their dedication and the hard work they’ve put into the NBLA and the Trail of Angels.

Although the Trail of Angels was a big part of NBLA’s work this year, it wasn’t all we accomplished.

We’ve been working with the Newtown Forest Association and will soon be reopening an older, seldom used trail in the preserve. This will add a new loop to our hunter pace.

Also, I’m happy to report that horses are now allowed back on Al’s Trail and Newtown Open Space!

We’re making great strides in establishing Newtown as a horse-friendly town once again. We must be mindful of how we use these spaces.

Please be respectful when out on the trails and roadways. If you ride in someone’s yard, be polite: It’s a luxury that we’re given, and it could quickly disappear.

In other news, our trail mistress will be taking a year off. Thank you, Stephanie

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March/April 2016

Lennon, for a marvelous job planning, creating, and caring for the NBLA trails. We had the best hunter pace ever in 2015 — the trails were out of this world!

I’d also like to send a huge thank-you to Maggie Parham for her four years of outstanding work as our treasurer. It’s a tough job, but she made it look easy — always with a smile.

Let’s pay tribute to Andrea Brosnan and Doreen Chiccarello for serving on the NBLA board for more than 10 years by making them honorary members.

Thank you for always being there and giving so much to the NBLA! By the beginning of March, we’ll have this year’s event schedule in place. Our open meetings have been scaled down to four to six per year. If you’d like more, please let us know.

Our goal for this year is to have fun! For more information, join our mailing list, our Facebook page, and our Trail of Angels Facebook page. You can also email me: newtownhorses@gmail.com.

7Leslie Smith

Pomfret Horse and Trail Association PHTA is a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 2007 to preserve, protect, and maintain open space and the century-old system of riding and hiking trails in our town. We work closely with landowners, local land trusts, and the town to maintain access and expand trail networks. PHTA promotes responsible horseback-riding practices and minimalimpact trail use, and holds Show-and-Go rides for members, as well as public educational clinics and trail rides.

Our goal is to preserve our rural heritage through community-minded trail use, horse keeping, and riding.

New members are welcome.

Our mission: • Keeping access open to equestrian use • Creating new and connect ing trails

• Promoting responsible use of trails • Preserving, clearing, rebuilding, and maintain ing trails • Educating our members on etiquette and safety for all trail users • Facilitating communication, cooperation, and goodwill between trail users and landowners Last year, working closely with DEEP Park Supervisor Lori Lindquist, we were able to establish an equestrian trail in Mashamoquet Brook State Park. This new trail connects Wolf Den Drive to Baker Hollow and Barrett Ridge Trails, creating a loop of approximately six miles. It now appears on the park map as a designated horse trail.

This spring the DEEP plans to continue mapping the trail where it crosses Jericho Road and traverses town land and New England Forestry’s Chase/Kimball Preserve to reach the Airline Trail State Park. This is some excellent woods riding with old homesteads and beautiful stone walls. You feel as if you’ve stepped back in time in this long-abandoned settlement. You can find the Baker Hollow Trail as a road on the circa-1869 Pomfret map. Barrett Ridge is an amazing old cart path that climbs one of the highest ridges in town.

The PHTA has been extremely well supported by the town in its efforts to expand the trail network.

We’ll be using the new trail as part of the long loop in our May 22 Cross Town Trail Ride. For the second year, we’re partnering with Tyrone Farm to make our dream of across-town rides come true.

We plan 10- or 20-mile loops for this ride and it’s NEHT affiliated. To learn more, visit pomfrethorseandtrail.com.

7Penny Foisey

Lessons . Training . Boarding . Sale Horses . Events Facility

CHJA, CHSA Shows March 5 . May 29 . June 26 . July 23 . Nov. 5 Prize list, schedule, and entry form online at sweetwaterct.com.

78 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT (860) 669-9473 . www.sweetwaterct.com

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Connecticut

Events 19 CHC VOLUNTEER HORSE PATROL ANNUAL MEETING AND OPEN HOUSE, Newington. cthorsecouncil.org.

March 2 CHJA SHOW, Ethel Walker School, Simsbury. ethelwalker.org.

12 CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

5 INTRODUCTION TO MOUNTED SHOOTING, White Birch Farm, Portland. facebook.com/whitebirchfarmct.

12 LCRVHA RIDE, Machimoodus. Members only. lcrvhc.org.

5 CHSA 83RD CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS GALA EVENT, Hartford Marriott Downtown. chsaonline.com.

5 CHSA, CHJA, M&S SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.com.

5 CHILI OPEN HOUSE, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

5 PONY CLUB QUIZ RALLY, Joel Barlow High School, Redding. whimsybrookfarm.com.

5 CHC RIDE, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

5 – 6 CONNECTICUT HORSE SYMPOSIUM, Storrs. animalscience.uconn.edu.

6 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Valkyrie Equestrian, Granby. bhcmanagement.com.

6 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

6 WHC REINDEER SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

6 CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Oak Meadow Farm, East Windsor. rideoakmeadow.com.

6 RIDING IN PAIRS CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

9 EQUINE COLIC LECTURE, Twin Pines Equine Veterinary Services, Jewett City. twinpinesequine.com.

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12 CATHY DRUMM WESTERN DRESSAGE CLINIC, Cedar Hill Ranch, Durham. cedarhillranch.net.

March/April 2016

12 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

12 IDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Storrs. animalscience.uconn.edu.

13 BENEFIT TACK SALE, Canterbury Elementary School. (860) 546-0606 13 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

13 CHC RIDE, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middlefield. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

13 BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Shallowbrook, Somers. bhcmanagement.com.

13 HUNT SEAT SCHOOLING SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

13 WHC REINDEER SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

13 DEE DEE HOPPER LESSONS, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

15 THERAPY HORSE WORKSHOP, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

19 CENTERED RIDING GROUNDWORK CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

19 CJHA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

19 CDCTA GOAL-SETTING WORKSHOP/ EQUESTRIAN MENTAL TOUGHNESS with Liz Placentini. Location TBA. cdctaonline.com.

19 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

19 HORSES HEALING HUMANS SPRING OPEN BARN, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

19 – 20 CHRIS IRWIN CLINIC, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

20 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

20 ANN BOWIE EVENT LESSONS, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

20 CTRA RIDE, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison. cttrailridesassoc.org.

20 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

20 CHJA SHOW, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

20 SPRING FLING TACK SALE, White Birch Farm, Portland. facebook.com/whitebirchfarmct.

24 LCRVHC GENERAL MEETING, RIDING FROM THE SEAT SEMINAR WITH PATRICIA NORCIA, Idlenot Farm, Clinton. lcrvhc.org.

26 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

26 IDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Storrs. animalscience.uconn.edu.

April 2 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

2 PONY CLUB HORSELESS RALLY, Gault Warehouse, Bridgeport. whimsybrookfarm.com.

2 SPRING TACK AUCTION, Middlefield.

(860) 883-58280.

2 CHJA SHOW, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

2 WMAA MELISSA PROULX CLINIC, South Windsor. westernmaapp.com.

8 MBLA MEMBERSHIP DINNER, Jesse Camille’s Restaurant, Naugatuck. middleburybridle.org.

16 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

2 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop. newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

8 – 9 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

16 BASIC LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE, 12 P.M. to 4 P.M., Lock, Stock & Barrel, Bethany. lsbfarmsupply.com.

9 CATHY DRUMM WESTERN DRESSAGE CLINIC, Shannon Equine, Bethany. shannonequine.com.

16 CHSA, CHJA, USHJA, M&S SHOW, End of Hunt, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

9 MYSTIC SPRING II SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

17 CTRA RIDE, Wadsworth Falls State Park and Mansion, Middlefield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

9 LCRV DESENSITIZING CLINIC, location TBA. lcrvhc.org.

17 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

9 – 10 NEW HORSE/RIDER SPRING MOUNTED SHOOTING CLINIC, Enfield. ctrenegades.com.

17 JEFF MORSE DRIVING CLINIC, Old Lyme. cvdrivingclub.com.

9 – 10 CTRA CAMP OPENING AND CLEANUP, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

21 CQHA APRIL CLASSIC, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

10 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

21 – 23 EQUINE SPECIALIST WORKSHOP, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

10 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

23 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

10 ANN GUPTILL DRESSAGE CLINIC, Frazier Farm, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

23 TRAIL OF ANGELS GRAND OPENING, Fairfield Hills, Newtown. nblact.com.

10 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Valkyrie Equestrian, Granby. bhcmanagement.com.

23 ECDHA PLOW MATCH, Lee Farm, Coventry. easternctdrafthorse.org or (860) 535-1416.

2 CMHA AWARDS BANQUET, Nutmeg Restaurant, East Windsor. ctmorgans.org.

2 DEB MOYNIHAN CENTERED RIDING CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

3 CHC RIDE, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

3 DEB MOYNIHAN CENTERED RIDING CLINIC, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

3 USEF C-RATED SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.com.

3 LCRVHC RIDE, Pattaconk. lcrvhc.org.

3 CABIN FEVER HORSE SHOW, Shallowbrook, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

3 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

6 CHJA MEDAL SHOW, Ethel Walker School, Simsbury. ethelwalker.org.

7 FBTA KICK-OFF PARTY AND SILENT AUCTION, Westport. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

Landclearing & Excavation Paddocks, Arenas, and Drainage Systems — We Do It All!

We specialize in: Farm Design & Layout . Paddocks Riding Arenas . Drainage Systems Sink Holes & Stump Removal Livestock Ponds

Over 34 Years of Experience . Owner On Site at All Times . Fully Insured Applecounty Farms Landclearing & Excavation . (860) 597-3718 Connecticut Horse

37

23 ASPCA HELP-A-HORSE DAY AND BARNYARD OLYMPICS, Salem. mitchellfarm.org.

24 CCBA NO-SHOW-CLOTHES SCHOOLING SHOW, Portland. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

1 COMBINED TEST, Frazier Farm, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

23 USEF C-RATED SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.com.

28 – May 1 WESTBROOK HUNT CLUB SPRING FLING, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

1 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. southernnewenglandhorsemenassociation.com.

23 – 24 CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

29 – May 1 MOTHER–DAUGHTER RIDING WEEKEND, Colebrook. campjewell.org.

6 – 7 MENTOR TRAINING WORKSHOP, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

24 CDCTA RIDE-CRITIQUE-RIDE WITH CLAUDIA TARLOV, Field of Dreams Farm, Lebanon. cdctaonline.com.

30 – May 1 DRESSAGE SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

7 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

30 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

7 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

30 DESPOOK YOUR HORSE CLINIC, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

7 GRTA DOGWOOD RIDE AND COUNTRY LUNCH, Sabine Farm, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

May

7 MOUNTED SHOOTING CLINIC, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

24 DIVERSITY SCHOOLING SHOW, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

24 CHC RIDE, Tyler Mill, Wallingford. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

24 CHSA SHOW, Carriage Stone Farm, Northford. carriagestonefarm.com.

24 DRESSAGE SHOW, Frazier Farm, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

24 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

1 GRTA TRAIL CLEANUP AND PICNIC, Nichols Nature Preserve, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

1 CGA GYMKHANA, Hillside Equestrian Meadows, Wolcott. ctgymkhana.com.

1 CTRA RIDE, Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth. cttrailridesassoc.org.

24 CDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Coventry. ctequestriancenter.com.

1 CONNECTICUT HORSE COUNCIL MEETING, Berlin. cthorsecouncil.org.

24 DEE DEE HOPPER LESSONS, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

1 CTRA RIDE, White Memorial/Reservoir, Litchfield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

38

March/April 2016

7 CTRA BLESSING OF THE MOUNTS RIDE, Cheshire. cttrailridesassoc.org.

7 DONKEY AND MULE SHOW, Bishop’s Orchards, Guilford. tripledalefarm@yahoo.com.

7 THC INTRODUCTION TO FOXHUNTING, Lord Creek, Lyme. tanheathhunt.com.

7 CHC RIDE/BLESSING OF THE MOUNTS/ COOKOUT, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

Connecticut Horse

39

7 HOLISTIC HORSE FAIR, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

15 LCRVHC RIDE, Weber Woods. lcrvhc.org.

21 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

7 CDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. ctdressageassoc.org.

15 SPRING FLING HUNTER/JUMPER SCHOOLING SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

8 CDCTA DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TEST SCHOOLING SHOW, Westbrook. cdcta.com.

15 CTRA RIDE, White Memorial/Reservoir, Litchfield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

8 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

15 SCHOOLING SHOW, Frazier Farm, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

8 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

15 GRANBY PONY CLUB OPEN SHOW, Copper Hill Equestrian Center, West Suffield. granby.ponyclub.org.

22 CROSS TOWN RIDE WITH PHTA, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tyronefarm.com.

15 CAROUSEL FARM OPEN SHOW, Woodstock Fairgrounds. carouselhorsefarm.org.

22 CHSA CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

14 MEG BRAUCH STRAIGHTNESS TRAINING WORKSHOP, Narnia Stables, Ashford. facebook.com/narniastables.

15 SCHOOLING HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

22 TSHA DRESSAGE SHOW, Woodstock. tristatehorsemen.com.

14 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

15 CHSA CHJA SHOW, End of Hunt Equestrian Center, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

22 CGA GYMKHANA, Smith’s Stables, Bethlehem. ctgymkhana.com.

14 MOUNTED SHOOTING CLUB PRACTICE, West Granby. ctrenegades.com.

15 HORSES HEALING HUMANS EXTREME CROQUET CHALLENGE, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

22 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mysticvalleyhuntclub.com.

14 BRUNCH RIDE, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tyronefarm.com.

14 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pine Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

14 – 15 NEPtHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

16 – 21 HORSE SHOW DAYS, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

17 – 21 REGAN GOLOB AND KELLEY MILLS CLINIC, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

We Build

Barns for Life

Horse Barns . Riding Arenas Garages . Restorations 25 Years Constructing Equestrian Buildings.

Serving the Northeast (717) 951-9443 eeZimmerman@frontier.com

40

March/April 2016

21 LEADERSHIP GROUND WORK/RIDING CLINIC, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury.

(203) 778-6218.

21 CVDC DRIVE, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown. cvdrivingclub.com.

21 – 22 MOUNTED SHOOTING MATCH, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

22 CHC RIDE, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

22 CTRA JUDGED OBSTACLE POKER RIDE, Sun Rise Resort/Mashimoodus State Park, Moodus. cttrailridesassoc.org.

23 – 25 ADVANCED CERTIFICATION EVENT, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

26 CQHA SPRING FLING, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

3 – 5 DEB MOYNIHAN CENTERED RIDING CERTIFICATION COURSE, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

4 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

5 CTRA RIDE, Natchaug State Forest, Eastford. cttrailridesassoc.org.

5 CDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Coventry. ctequestriancenter.com.

7 CHC MEETING, Berlin. cthorsecouncil.org.

27 – 30 CTRA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RIDE AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

4 WORKING EQUITATION MORNING CLINIC, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

28 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

4 AFTERNOON SCHOOLING SHOW, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

28 USEA USEF HORSE TRIALS, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

4 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

29 CCBA HORSE SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

4 – 5 HORSES HEALING HUMANS EQUIZEN RETREAT, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

11 JUDGED PLEASURE RIDE I, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tyronefarm.com.

5 CHC RIDE, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

11 GALLOP, DINE, AND DANCE, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

5 CGA GYMKHANA, Smith’s Stables, Bethlehem. ctgymkhana.com.

11 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

5 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mysticvalleyhuntclub.com.

11 SUMMER OPEN HOUSE, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

5 BETHANY HORSE SHOW, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. bethanyhorseshow.org.

12 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. southernnewenglandhorsemenassociation.com.

5 WMAA OPEN AND HUNTER SHOW, Four Town Fairgrounds, Somers. westernmaapp.com.

12 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

29 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net.

30 CHJA SHOW, Oak Meadow Farm, East Windsor. rideoakmeadow.com.

30 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

June 3 – 5 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

Please join us for a special trail ride event!

A celebration of the opening of the

Trail of Angels April 23, Saturday At Fairfield Hills, Newtown CT

8 – 11 CONNECTICUT MORGAN OPEN SHOW, West Springfield. ctmorgans.org.

9 – 12 SHALLOWBROOK CHARITY HORSE SHOW, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

10 – 12 CHSA-RATED DRESSAGE SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

Walsh’s Country Store All types of horse barns available: Shedrow, run-in, lean-to, modular, and monitor two-story barns.

Free Delivery in Connecticut!

The owner is on every job!

Full site work available!

Presented by Newtown Bridle Lands Association and Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation $25 donation Entry info at: newtownhorses@gmail.com

We also sell sheds, gazebos, pavillions, pergolas, chicken coops, garages, patio furniture, cupolas, wishing wells, and many more outdoor accents!

352 Rossevelt Dr., Route 34, Seymour, CT (203) 736-9400 . WalshsCountryStore.com Connecticut Horse

41

12 SCHOOLING SHOW, White Birch Farm, Portland. facebook.com/whitebirchfarmct.

19 TSHA DRESSAGE SHOW, Woodstock. tristatehorsemen.com.

26 CAROUSEL FARM OPEN SHOW, Woodstock Fairgrounds. carouselhorsefarm.org.

12 CTRA RIDE, Salmon River State Forest, Colchester. cttrailridesassoc.org.

19 CHSA SHOW, Avon. ctfirsthorse.org.

26 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Weatogue Stables, Salisbury. weatoguestables.com.

12 POLO FOR CHILDREN BENEFIT, Greenwich. holeinthewallgang.org.

12 95TH ANNUAL GREENWICH HORSE SHOW, Milliken Property, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

19 COMBINED TRAINING SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

19 CTRA RIDE, George Dudley Seymour State Forest, Middle Haddam. cttrailridesassoc.org.

19 THC SUMMER HUNTER PACE, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tanheathhunt.com.

14 – 19 USEF A-RATED OX RIDGE CHARITY SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.com.

21 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

26 CCBA HORSE SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

26 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net.

27 VAULTING CLINIC, Litchfield Hills. horseshealinghumansct.org.

15 – 18 WORKSHOP AND CERTIFICATION, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

25 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

16 CQHA SUMMER SIZZLER, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

25 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

17 – 18 GOSHEN STAMPEDE, Goshen. goshenstampede.com.

25 MOUNTAIN TRAIL CHALLENGE, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

1 CHJA SHOW, Ridgefield Equestrian Center, Ridgefield. ridgefieldequestriancenter.com.

18 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

25 – 26 DOM SCHRAMM CLINIC, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

2 CHSA CJHA SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

18 CGA GYMKHANA, HIllside Equestrian Meadows, Wolcott. ctgymkhana.com.

25 – 26 ECDHA DRIVING CLINIC, Franklin.

Minis to drafts. easternctdrafthorse.org.

2 CHC RIDE, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

18 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

26 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. southernnewenglandhorsemenassociation.com.

2 BARN DANCE, Horses Healing Humans, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

We’re Expanding!

Enlarged outdoor ring with large cross country bank on side to incorporate into jumping lessons.

Cross Country Course is started. Miles of Trails.

Outside instructors welcome . Truck-ins welcome Clinics every month with Ann Bowie & DeeDee Hopper

Shows March 6 • Gold Cooler Jumper April 10 • Gold Cooler Jumper May 15 • Hunter/Jumper Schooling June 19 • Combined Training Schooling July 31 • Hunter/Jumper Schooling Sept 18 • Combined Training Schooing Oct 23 • Hunter/Jumper Schooling

r l i Fa r m a C e D

42

26 CTRA RIDE, Roraback Wildlife Management Area, Harwinton. cttrailridesassoc.org.

March/April 2016

Clinics April 3 • Deb Moynihan Centered Riding May 17-21 • Regan Golob & Kelley Mills

Course June 3-5 & August 5-9 Deb Moynihan Centered Riding Certification Course

Camps July 11-29 • Weekly Camp Sessions

189 Sadds Mill Road Ellington, CT DeCarliFarm.com 860.878.9274 decarlifarm@gmail.com

30 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

July

2 – 4 CTRA WEEKEND, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

12 – 16 WESTBROOK SHORELINE CLASSIC, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

24 CAROUSEL FARM OPEN SHOW, Woodstock Fairgrounds. carouselhorsefarm.org.

3 CHSA SHOW, End of Hunt, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

16 – 17 NEPtHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

24 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

3 ENGLISH AND WESTERN DRESSAGE SHOW, White Birch Farm, Portland. facebook.com/whitebirchfarmct.

17 CGA GYMKHANA, Triangle A Stables, Middlefield. ctgymkhana.com.

24 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian.

Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

17 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

24 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. southernnewenglandhorsemenassociation.com.

17 CDCTA DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TEST SCHOOLING SHOW, Gales Ferry. cdctaonline.com.

24 CCBA HORSE SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

17 MOUNTED SHOOTING MATCH, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

27 USEF C-RATED SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.org.

17 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

30 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

3 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

5 USEF C-RATED SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.com.

7 – 10 WESTBROOK SHORELINE CLASSIC, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

8 – 10 TSHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

9 CDCTA DRESSAGE SYMPOSIUM WITH PIERRE ST. JACQUES, Salem. cdctaonline.com.

9 CVDC DRIVE, Machimoodus/Sunrise State Park, Moodus. cvdrivingclub.com.

10 ECDHA DRAFT HORSE SHOW, North Stonington Fairgrounds. (860) 535-1416 or easternctdrafthorse.org.

10 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

19 USEF C-RATED SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.com.

20 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

23 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

30 NATIONAL COWBOY DAY PARADE AND PICNIC, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury.

(203) 778-6218.

30 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

23 MOUNTED SHOOTING CLUB PRACTICE, West Granby. ctrenegades.com.

31 SUMMER SIZZLER HUNTER/JUMPER SCHOOLING SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

23 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net.

31 USEF C-RATED SHOW, Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Darien. oxridge.org.

Connecticut Horse

43

31 TSHA DRESSAGE SHOW, Woodstock. tristatehorsemen.com.

13 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

25 –28 CTRA 50/50 BENEFIT RIDE WEEKEND, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

31 CHSA CHJA SHOW, End of Hunt Equestrian Center, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

13 MOUNTED SHOOTING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

28 CHJA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

August

13 – 14 CTRA AUCTION and BARBECUE WEEKEND, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

28 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. southernnewenglandhorsemenassociation.com.

5 – 9 DEB MOYNIHAN CENTERED RIDING CERTIFICATION COURSE, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

6 CVDC DRIVE, Beacon Woods, South Glastonbury. cvdrivingclub.com.

6 ECDHA CARRIAGE RALLY, Blue Slope Country Museum, Franklin. Six miles of carriage trails.

(860) 535-1416 or easternctdrafthorse.org.

6 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

6 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Weatogue Stables, Salisbury. weatoguestables.com.

7 CAROUSEL FARM OPEN SHOW, Woodstock Fairgrounds. carouselhorsefarm.org.

7 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. southernnewenglandhorsemenassociation.com.

7 CTRA RIDE, Salmon Brook Park, Granby. cttrailridesassoc.org.

7 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mysticvalleyhuntclub.com.

7 RECOGNIZED DRESSAGE SHOW, Weatogue Stables, Salisbury. weatoguestables.com.

10 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

12 – 14 HERRMANN’S ROYAL LIPIZZAN STALLIONS, Salem. mitchellfarm.org.

13 JUDGED PLEASURE RIDE II, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tyronefarm.com.

13 CHC RIDE, DeDominicis Preserve, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

44

March/April 2016

13 – 14 NEPtHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

13 – 14 REBECCA GILBERT STRAIGHTNESS TRAINING CLINIC, Narnia Stables, Ashford. facebook.com/narniastables.

28 CGA GYMKHANA, Triangle A Stables, Middlefield. ctgymkhana.com.

28 CCBA HORSE SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

September

14 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Oak Meadow Farm, East Windsor. rideoakmeadow.com.

2 – 4 MYSTIC SUMMER FESTIVAL, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

14 CGA GYMKHANA, Triangle A Stables, Middlefield. ctgymkhana.com.

3 THC INTRODUCTION TO FOXHUNTING, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tanheathhunt.com.

16 CHJA SHOW, Ridgefield Equestrian Center, Ridgefield. ridgefieldequestriancenter.com.

3 – 5 CTRA LABOR DAY WEEKEND, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

18 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

5 LABOR DAY POKER RIDE AND PICNIC, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

19 – 21 TSHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

6 CONNECTICUT HORSE COUNCIL MEETING, Berlin. cthorsecouncil.org.

20 WORKING EQUITATION EVENT, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

8 CQHA FALL SPECTACULAR, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

20 CHSA SHOW, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

10 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

21 CTRA RIDE, Steep Rock Preserve, Washington Depot. cttrailridesassoc.org.

10 MOUNTED SHOOTING MATCH, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

21 SCHOOLING SHOW, White Birch Farm, Portland. facebook.com/whitebirchfarmct.

10 JUDGED PLEASURE RIDE III, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tyronefarm.com.

23 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

10 MOUNTAIN TRAIL CHALLENGE, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

24 CHJA SHOW, Ridgefield Equestrian Center, Ridgefield. ridgefieldequestriancenter.com.

10 – 11 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

25 – 28 CHSA FINALS, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

11 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

11 LTA HUNTER PACE, Lord Creek Farm, Lyme. lymetrailassociation.org.

24 ST. PETER’s CHARITY SHOW, Bethany.

(203) 272-0142 or jaycyn195@aol.com.

2 CTRA RIDE, Hidden Valley Preserve, Washington Depot. cttrailridesassoc.org.

16 THE MANE EVENT FUND-RAISER, Manes & Motions, Middletown. manesandmotions.com.

24 CHC HAA HOSPICE RIDE, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

8 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

16 – 18 MOTHER–DAUGHTER RIDING WEEKEND, Camp Jewell YMCA, Colebrook. campjewell.org.

24 – 25 CTRA MEMORIAL RIDE WEEKEND, Mohawk State Forest, West Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

8 CVDC DRIVE, Lyme. cvdrivingclub.com.

16 – 18 MITCHELL FARM MUSIC FESTIVAL, Salem. mitchellfarm.org.

25 DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TRAINING SHOW, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

17 CHSA CHJA SHOW, End of Hunt Equestrian Center, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

25 MOUNTED SHOOTING CLUB PRACTICE, West Granby. ctrenegades.com.

9 GRTA HUNTER PACE, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

17 CTRA FULL MOONLIGHT RIDE, Slab Meadow Road, Morris. cttrailridesassoc.org.

25 CTRA A DAY IN THE COUNTRY SHOW, Milliken Property, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

9 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mysticvalleyhuntclub.com.

17 – 18 NEPtHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

25 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

9 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

18 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

25 CCBA HORSE SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

9 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

18 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

25 CGA PLAY DAY AND PICNIC, Baumann Brook Farm, Prospect. ctgymkhana.com.

18 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Weatogue Stables, Salisbury. weatoguestables.com.

25 THC FALL HUNTER PACE, Babcock Hill, Coventry. tanheathhunt.com.

18 DONKEY AND MULE SHOW, Guilford Fair. tripledalefarm@yahoo.com.

30 – October 2 MOUNTED SHOOTING REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, Oneco. ctrenegades.com.

18 CDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Coventry. ctequestriancenter.com.

8 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

9 CHC BREAKFAST RIDE, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middlefield. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

Containerized Manure Removal Containers from 4 to 30 cubic yards Farms with one horse to 100!

October

18 CTRA RIDE, White Memorial/Reservoir, Morris. cttrailridesassoc.org.

1 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

21 – 25 CONNECTICUT CLASSIC HORSE SHOW, Keney Park, Hartford. ctclassichorseshow.com.

2 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

23 – 25 WESTBROOK GRAND FALL CLASSIC, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

2 ENGLISH AND WESTERN DRESSAGE SHOW, White Birch Farm, Portland. facebook.com/whitebirchfarmct.

24 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

2 CDCTA DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TEST SCHOOLING SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. cdctaonline.com.

S

24 CVDC SCURRY AND FUN DAY, Mitchell Farm, Salem. cvdrivingclub.com.

Serving southwestern Connecticut

Newtown, Connecticut 203-426-8870 www.associatedrefuse.com

ng Valley Far m i r p Sales Leases

Boarding Lessons

Indoor Arena Owned and Operated by the Ross Family Trainer: Jennifer Braiden 1125 Essex Rd., Westbrook, CT (860) 399-5000 . (860) 304-5448 Connecticut Horse

45

9 PHTA HUNTER PACE, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tyronefarm.com.

16 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

23 CTRA FALL FOLIAGE RIDE, Cockaponsett State Forest, Chester. cttrailridesassoc.org.

9 CTRA BREAKFAST RIDE, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middlefield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

16 CTRA RIDE, Hurd State Park, Middle Haddam. cttrailridesassoc.org.

29 CHJA SHOW, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

10 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Valkyrie Equestrian Center, Granby. bhcmanagement.com.

16 CHSA SHOW, First Company Governor’s Horse Guard, Avon. ctfirsthorse.org.

30 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Oak Meadow Farm, East Windsor. rideoakmeadow.com.

22 CHSA CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

30 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

10 CHJA SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net.

15 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

14 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

14 – 16 MARUKE DE JONG STRAIGHTNESS TRAINING CLINIC, Narnia Stables, Ashford. facebook.com/narniastables.

15 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

15 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Babcok Hill, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

15 GRTA HUNT BALL, location TBA. thegrta.org.

16 CHJA SHOW, Ridgefield Equestrian Center, Ridgefield. ridgefieldequestriancenter.com.

22 CHC TURKEY TROT, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

22 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

22 CTRA TURKEY TROT POKER RIDE, Cheshire. cttrailridesassoc.org.

23 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

23 FALL FINALE HUNTER/JUMPER SCHOOLING SHOW, DeCarli Farm, Ellington. decarlifarm.com.

23 OPEN BARN AND ANNUAL MEETING, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

23 CHSA CHJA SHOW, End of Hunt Equestrian Center, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

Chuck Sharples Equine Transportation 860-575-0020

Horses on the Move

Based in Connecticut Regional service from Maine to Florida

info@chucksharplesequine.com www.chucksharplesequine.com Facebook.com/ChuckSharplesEquine

Got manure?

Containerized Manure Removal Le May, Inc. Farmers of Natural Resources Fred LeMay . Newtown, Connecticut 203-426-2497 . 203-948-1586 (cell) akenworthman@gmail.com 46

March/April 2016

30 HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY AND SHOW, Horses Healing Humans, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

30 LCRVHC HUNTER PACE, Weber Woods. lcrvhc.org.

30 CTRA HALLOWEEN COSTUME RIDE, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

30 NBLA FROST ON THE PUMPKIN HUNTER PACE, Newtown. nblact.com.

November 5 CTRA 76TH ANNUAL FALL MEETING. cttrailridesassoc.org.

5 ECDHA FUN DAY, Blue Slope Country Museum. easternctdrafthorse.org.

Boarding . Training . Lessons . Shows Clinics . Sale Horses & Ponies . Tack Shop 23rd annual

Spring Fling Show April 28 to May 1

Jane Dow-Burt - owner, trainer, judge, and clinician 319 Pond Meadow Road, Westbrook CT (860) 399-6317 . www.westbrookhuntclub.com

Dressage is our Specialty Board . Lessons . Training All Breeds Welcome (especially Morgans)

Gretchen Geromin, trainer USDF certified instructor . USDF bronze medalist . British Horse Society certified

Mansfield Center, CT . Just 10 minutes from UConn foxfirestables.net . (860) 543-1399

5 CHJA SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net.

19 THC HUNTER TRIALS, Ayer Mountain Farm, Franklin. tanheathhunt.com.

6 CHSA SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

6 CHJA SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mysticvalleyhuntclub.com.

20 CVDC ANNUAL TURKEY TROT DRIVE, Woodland Farm, Lyme. cvdrivingclub.com.

12 CHSA SHOW, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

6 CDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestriancenter.com.

20 CHJA SHOW, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

13 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

20 CMHA TURKEY TROT, Bluff Point State Park, Groton. ctmorgans.org.

17 HORSES HEALING HUMANS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION AND YEAR-END AWARDS, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

6 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Valkyrie Equestrian Center, Granby. bhcmanagement.com.

6 CHJA SHOW, Ridgefield Equestrian Center, Ridgefield. ridgefieldequestriancenter.com.

12 CHJA PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

13 USEF NEHC CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

13 THC TURKEY TROT, Scotland. tanheathhunt.com.

13 HOLIDAY MARKET, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

19 CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

19 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

26 CHJA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

19 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarmct.com.

27 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, M&S SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

20 CHSA SHOW, Shallowbrook, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

27 CHJA BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

26 CHSA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

December

27 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

3 CVDC HOLIDAY GATHERING, Town Tavern, East Haddam. cvdrivingclub.com.

5 CHSA SHOW, Sweetwater Farm, Clinton. sweetwaterct.com.

6 CONNECTICUT HORSE COUNCIL MEETING, Berlin. cthorsecouncil.org.

Boarding

Lessons

Training

Leasing

Trails

Clinics

2 Outdoor Arenas

Parties

Indoor Arena

Group Lessons

Covered Round Pen

Show Coaching

239 Sand Hill Rd., Portland, CT 06480 (860) 581-0307 wbfllcct@gmail.com

Send your clinic, show, trail ride, seminar, and lecture to events@connhorse.com to have it published in the Events Calendar.

It’s free!

GNATHOLOGIST Shelley Wysocki Equine Gnathological Training Institute, Certified Academy of Equine Dentistry

DENTAL NEEDS FOR HORSES, PONIES & MULES Educated . Experienced . Reliable . Serving New England

(860) 212-0114 Member of: Equine Dental Providers of America . Connecticut Farm Bureau International Equine Dental Association

Training ~ Lessons ~ Showing ~ Sales 562 S Main St., Middletown, CT (860) 347-2531 www.midstatetractor.com

7 Thrall Road, Broad Brook, CT (860)307-6963 ~ mcph279@gmail.com www.carverperformancehorses.com Connecticut Horse

47

the

neighborhood

ARTISTS

BARN CATS

nnnnnnnnnnnn

nnnnnnnnnnnn

PORTRAITS BY SHAWNALEE Middlebury, CT, (203) 598-0065 shawnalee.com Charcoals, oils painted by hand.

TEAM MOBILE FELINE UNIT (888) FOR-TEAM everyanimalmatters.org Mobile spay, neuter, and vaccination clinic for cats. Driven to end feline overpopulation!

WHITE PICKETS STUDIO (978) 724-8823 whitepicketsstudio.com Fabio and Sara Deponte art.

ASSOCIATIONS nnnnnnnnnnnn

CHESHIRE HORSE COUNCIL cheshirehorsecouncil.org Trail rides and maintenance, community service.

CONNECTICUT COLOR BREED ASSOCIATION connecticutcolorbreed.com CONNECTICUT DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION ctdressageassoc.com CONNECTICUT GYMKHANA ASSOCIATION ctgymkhana.com CONNECTICUT HORSE SHOWS ASSOCIATION chsaonline.com.com CONNECTICUT MORGAN HORSE ASSOCIATION ctmorgans.org CONNECTICUT RENEGADES ctrenegades.com CONNECTICUT TRAIL RIDES ASSOCIATION ct-trailrides.org FIRST GOVERNOR’S HORSE GUARD Avon, CT, (860) 463-3372 ctfirsthorseguard.org Oldest continuously active mounted cavalry unit in the United States.

GRANBY HORSE COUNCIL OF CONNECTICUT granbyhorsecouncilct.com GREENWICH RIDING AND TRAILS ASSOCIATION thegrta.org MIDDLEBURY BRIDLE LAND ASSOCIATION middleburybridle.org NEWTOWN BRIDLE LANDS ASSOCIATION nblact.com POMFRET HORSE AND TRAIL ASSOCIATION pomfrethorseandtrail.com TANHEATH HUNT CLUB tanheathhunt.com

48

March/April 2016

Your Everything Equine “white pages”

BOARDING AND TRAINING nnnnnnnnnnnn

BABCOCK HILL FARM DAWN BONIN HORSEMANSHIP Coventry, CT, (860) 985-7611 babcockhill.com Natural horsemanship, lessons, training, boarding, sales/leases.

DECARLI FARM Ellington, CT, (860) 878-9274 decarlifarm.com Boarding, lessons, training, shows, sale horses, and clinics.

EPIC FARM Middlefield, CT, (860) 620-3686 epicfarm.com Boarding, training, lessons, sales/leases, camp.

FOX LEDGE FARM, ANN GUPTILL E. Haddam, CT, (860) 873-8108 foxledgefarm.net Dressage lessons, training, clinics.

HAPPY TRAILS FARM Danbury, CT, (203) 778-6218 Pleasure riding, obstacle course, trails.

J.A. MCDERMOTT HORSEMANSHIP Guilford, CT, (203) 434-9505 willingresults.com Bridging science and holistic horsemanship.

MOVADO FARMS Durham, CT, (860) 463-5272 movadofarms.net Lessons, IEA team, leasing, shows.

MYSTIC VALLEY HUNT CLUB Gales Ferry, CT, (860) 464-7934 mvhchorse.com Boarding, training, sales, shows, hunter, jumper, equitation, ponies, children, and IEA/IHSA teams.

SILVER LINING STABLES Monroe, CT, (203) 445-6318 silverliningstablesct.com Premier horse-boarding facility.

SPRING VALLEY FARM Westbrook, CT, (860) 399-5000 Hunter, jumper, boarding, lessons.

SWEETWATER FARM Clinton, CT, (860) 669-9473 sweetwaterct.com Lessons, training, boarding, shows, sale horses, events facility.

VAQUERO TRAINING CENTER E. Windsor, CT, (860) 623-2687 vaquerotrainingcenter.com Boarding, training, lessons, education of horse and rider.

WESTBROOK HUNT CLUB Westbrook, CT, (860) 399-6317 westbrookhuntclub.com Board, training, lessons, shows, clinics.

WHIMSY BROOK FARM Redding, CT, (203) 938-3760 whimsybrookfarm.com Boarding, lessons, training, equine therapies, Pony Club.

CLIPPER AND BLADE SERVICE nnnnnnnnnnnn

CLIPPER BARN OF CONNECTICUT Baltic, CT, (860) 822-1951 theclipperbarnofct.com Repairs, sharpening, all types.

CONSTRUCTION nnnnnnnnnnnn

CARRIAGE GATE CONSTRUCTION Serving the Northeast, (717) 951-9443 Horse barns, garages, remodeling.

THE CARRIAGE SHED (800) 441-6057, carriageshed.com Custom-built barns, shed rows, arenas.

CREMATION nnnnnnnnnnnn

CONNECTICUT HORSE CREMATION Killingworth, CT, (860) 881-7802 cthorsecremation.com Loving, dignified cremation service.

EDUCATION nnnnnnnnnnnn

POST UNIVERSITY Waterbury, CT, (800) 345-2562 post.edu BS in equine studies.

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT Storrs, CT, (860) 486-2413 animalscience.uconn.edu Two- and four-year ANSC degrees.

ELECTRICAL nnnnnnnnnnnn

RV PARTS AND ELECTRIC Waterbury, CT, (203) 755-0739 hedman@snet.net Electrical work; trailers, trucks, RVs. EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY nnnnnnnnnnnn

HIGH HOPES THERAPEUTIC RIDING Old Lyme, CT, (860) 434-1974 highhopestr.org.

Therapeutic riding, driving, Horses for Heroes, unmounted equine learning.

MANES & MOTIONS Middletown, CT, (860) 223-2761 manesandmotions.com Therapeutic riding for body, mind, soul.

RAY OF LIGHT FARM E. Haddam, CT, (860) 873-1895 rayoflightfarm.org Animal-assisted therapy; rescue center .

EQUINE DENTISTRY nnnnnnnnnnnn

SHELLY WYSOCKI E. Haddam, CT, (860) 212-0114 equinedentalct33662@att.net Prophylaxis, equilibration, and gnathological procedures.

EQUINE LAUNDRY nnnnnnnnnnnn

LE CHEVAL LAUNDRY Willamantic, CT, (860) 428-1283 abr10000@aol.com Quality laundry and repair service.

EQUINE MASSAGE nnnnnnnnnnnn

EQUISSAGE NE/NY Sterling, CT, (860) 564-7759 equissage-ne-ny.com Masterson Method, Equissage, equine bodywork, myofascial release, infrared photon light therapy, Reiki.

EQUINE RELATIONSHIPS nnnnnnnnnnnn

MINDFUL CONNECTIONS mindful-connections.com What is your horse trying to tell you?

Tuning in to your companion.

EQUIPMENT nnnnnnnnnnnn

STANTON EQUIPMENT John Deere, stantoneq.com Plainfield, CT, (860) 230-0130 East Windsor, CT, (860) 623-8296 Canaan, CT, (860) 824-1161 FEED AND PET STORE nnnnnnnnnnnn

LOCK, STOCK & BARREL (203) 393-0002 lsbfarmsupply.com Large-animal feed and pet food.

Riding apparel, tack, farm supplies, and power equipment.

SWEETWATER FEED AND EQUIPMENT Clinton, CT, (860) 669-9473 sweetwaterct.com Tribute Equine Nutrition; pet foods.

HORSES FOR SALE nnnnnnnnnnnn

HERITAGE FARM Easthampton, MA, (413) 527-1612 farmheritage.com Open to buy, sell, or trade horses seven days a week, by appointment.

STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable.

INSURANCE nnnnnnnnnnnn

FARM FAMILY INSURANCE To find an agent near you, visit farmfamily.com.

KATHY KANE INSURANCE Gales Ferry, CT, (860) 625-7128 kanekathyo@yahoo.com Specializing in horses and farms.

LOANS nnnnnnnnnnnn

FARM CREDIT EAST (800) 946-0506 farmcrediteast.com Loans for equestrian facilities, farms, bare land, home sites. Equipment loans and leases.

MANURE REMOVAL, nnnnnnnnnnnn

ASSOCIATED REFUSE HAULERS Newtown, CT, (203) 426-8870 associatedrefuse.com Containerized manure removal in southwestern Connecticut.

LE MAY, INC. Newtown, CT, (203) 347-2531 We buy manure.

PENDERGAST HAULING AND BARN SERVICES New Fairfield, CT, (203) 948-9493 Manure removal, arena-footing restoration, excavation service.

Is this your horse?

BEVAL SADDLERY New Canaan, CT, (203) 966-7828 beval.com New Canaan, Gladstone, NJ stores.

East Coast mobile unit.

REINS Essex, CT, (860) 767-0777 reinstackshop.com Fine equestrian apparel, tack, footwear, and gifts.

SMITH-WORTHINGTON SADDLERY Hartford, CT, (860) 527-9117 smithworthington.com Fine English saddlery and tack.

JEANNE LEWIS IMAGES Wallingford, CT, jeannelewisimages.com Western events, barn shoots, portraits. Serving New England.

KATE LUSSIER PHOTOGRAPHY Wallingford, CT, (203) 213-7738

katelussierphotography.com Individualized attention, reasonable rates.

KATHRYN SCHAUER PHOTOGRAPHY Guilford, CT, (203) 710-9945

kathrynschauerphotography.com Horses, pets, families.

SARRA-ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY S. Windsor, CT, (860) 644-7161 Fine-art equine portrait photography.

REAL ESTATE nnnnnnnnnnnn

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Alexis Devlin, Realtor Colchester, CT, (860) 214-9859 alexisdevlin.com Experienced equestrian Realtor.

CROSBY MIDDLEMASS, REALTOR Connecticut, (203) 558-2046 higginsgroup.com Specializing in equestrian properties.

WILLIAM PITT SOTHEBY’S REALTY Mariette Woolfson, Realtor Essex, CT, (860) 883-3667 mwoolfson@wpsir.com Equestrian properties.

RETIREMENT SANCTUARIES nnnnnnnnnnnn

MITCHELL FARM Salem, CT, (860) 303-8705 mitchellfarm.org Permanent sanctuary for senior horses.

TAYLOR FARM New Hartford, CT, (860) 482-8725 taylorlynn58@gmail.com Horse retirement is all we do!

RIDER FITNESS nnnnnnnnnnnn

RIDE FIT (206) 713-6761, ridefitnow.com Fitness program developed for riders.

TACK nnnnnnnnnnnn

ARBITRAGE TACK Oakville, CT, (860) 417-2608 arbitragetack.com Equipment you need at prices you can afford. We keep you riding.

TRACTORS/EQUIPMENT nnnnnnnnnnnn

MIDSTATE TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT COMPANY Middletown, CT, (860) 347-2531 midstatetractor.com Kubota, John Deere, Scag Power Equipment, Stihl, Honda.

TRAINER nnnnnnnnnnnn

CATHY DRUMM (413) 441-5278 cathydrumm.com Travels to you; English and western.

Sally L. Feuerberg

PHOTOGRAPHY nnnnnnnnnnnn

Is this your horse?

This photo was taken on January 10 at the School Event at Silver Lining Stables, in Monroe. If this is your horse, contact us at win@connhorse.com for a Smith-Worthington Saddlery leather halter.

Connecticut’s own Smith-Worthington Saddlery is the proud sponsor of Is This Your Horse?

Crafting fine English saddlery and tack since 1794.

Available at fine tack shops throughout the U.S.

TRAILERS & TRANSPORTATION nnnnnnnnnnnn

CONNECTICUT TRAILERS Bolton, CT, (877) 480-4197 cttrailers.com Quality trailers; sales, parts, service.

JOHN McCARTHY TRUCKING (860) 377-9498 East Coast New England to Florida.

VETERINARY nnnnnnnnnnnn

BECKETT & ASSOCIATES VETERINARY SERVICES Glastonbury, CT, (860) 659-0848 beckettvet.net Horses, pets, farm animals.

BROOKLYN-CANTERBURY LARGE ANIMAL CLINIC Canterbury, CT, (860) 546-6998 bclargeanimal.com Serving eastern CT and RI. Equines, farm animals, and camelids.

EGGLESTON EQUINE Woodstock, CT, (860) 942-3365 egglestonequine.com Lameness, pre-purchase exams, veterinary medicine and dentistry.

SALEM VALLEY VETERINARY CLINIC Salem, CT, (860) 859-1649 salemvalleyvet.com Preventive medicine, emergency care, lameness, dentistry, surgery.

TWIN PINES EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES Griswold, CT, (860) 376-4373 twinpinesequine.com Quality, compassionate care.

275 Homestead Ave., Hartford, Connecticut 860 . 527 . 9117 . smithworthington.com

advertisers index Aah Light Therapy ............................. 28 Applecounty Farms Landclearing & Excavation ......... 37 Associated Refuse Haulers ............... 45 Avon Valley Show Stables ................. 27 B. H. Trailers and Plows .................... 28 Blue Seal .......................................... 50 Braideez ....................................................... 34 Brooklyn-Canterbury Large Animal Clinic . 17 Carriage Gate Construction .............. 40 The Carriage Shed .............................. 3 Cathy Drumm .................................... 38 Chuck Sharples Equine Transportation . 46 Connecticut Horse Cremation ........... 33 Corinthian Insurance ......................... 39 Dawn Bonin Horsemanship ............... 21 DeCarli Farm ...................................... 42 Don Ray Insurance ............................ 34 Dover Saddlery ................................. 51 Epic Farm ............................................ 11 Equine Dentist Alison Gold ............... 44 Equine Gnathologist Shelley Wysocki . 47 Essex County Trail Association ......... 15 Farm Credit East ................................ 27 Farm Family Insurance ...................... 26 Foxfire Stables .................................. 46 Fox Ledge Farm ................................. 19 Happy Trails Farm ............................. 23 Heritage Farm .................................... 7 Higgins Group Equestrian Properties . 45 HorseBack & Body ................................. 6

J A McDermott Horsemanship .......... 35 King Barns .......................................... 4 Le May, Inc. ................................... 46 Lock, Stock & Barrel ........................... 52 Michele Carver Performance Horses . 47 Midstate Tractor & Equipment .......... 47 Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement ...... 17 Mohawk Distribution .......................... 6 Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center ...................... 42 Newtown Bridle Lands Association .... 41 Ox Ridge Hunt Club .......................... 25 Pendergast Hauling & Barn Services .. 12 Pleasant View Farms .......................... 21 Post University .................................. 43 Reins .................................................. 10 Smith-Worthington Saddlery ............. 49 Sound the Bugle Studio .................... 38 Spring Valley Farm ............................ 45 Stanton Equipment ........................... 15 Strain Family Horse Farm .................. 44 Sweetwater Feed and Equipment ..... 35 Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group ....... 31 The Trailer Depot ................................ 2 Tribute Equine Nutrition .................... 19 Twin Pines Equine .............................. 12 Walsh’s Country Store ........................ 41 Westbrook Hunt Club ........................ 46 Whimsy Brook Farm ............................ 13 White Birch Farm ............................... 47 White Pickets Studio .......................... 13

Connecticut Horse

49

Benedict’s Home & Garden 480 Purdy Hill Road, Monroe (203) 268-2537 benedictsgarden.com Fleming’s Feed 353 Route 165, Preston (860) 889-7536 flemingsfeed.net Fleming’s Feed 786 Route 1, Stonington (860) 535-3181 flemingsfeed.net

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March/April 2016

G. M. Thompson & Sons 54 Middle Turnpike Mansfield Depot (860) 429-9377 gmthompson.net H. H. Stone & Sons 168 Main Street South, Southbury (203) 264-6501 hhstoneandsons.benmoorepaints.com Litchfield Blue Seal Store 99 Thomaston Road, Litchfield (860) 482-7116 . blueseal.com

Lock, Stock & Barrel 770 Amity Road, Bethany (203) 393-0002 . lsbfarmsupply.com Meriden Feed & Supply 846 Old Colony Road, Meriden (203) 237-4414 Find us on Facebook Norwich Agway 217 Otrobando Avenue, Norwich (860) 889-2344 norwichagway.com

Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supply 21 Mount Parnassus Road East Haddam (860) 873-1946 shagbarklumber.com Valley Home & Garden Centre 16 Railroad Street, Simsbury (860) 651-5646 valleyhomeandgarden.com

Connecticut Horse

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID MONROE, CT PERMIT

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