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Bay State Trail Riders Association
A central mission of BSTRA is to keep our communities’ trails preserved and maintained for outdoor recreation and fitness. Since 1973, this has been a core focus, taking many forms including education, trail work and activism, and now land ownership.
BSTRA is excited to announce the acquisition of 17 acres in Douglas. The parcel connects the Southern New
England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) and 131 acres of town-owned land behind the schools. BSTRA’s purchase ensures the property will remain open space and extends the trail network.
The short-term plan is to make improvements to the property and build a connecting trail. The land once hosted a farm dump, so clean-up is required. The new trail will connect the SNETT to the town property, including trails used by the schools’ cross-country runners. BSTRA expects to get an additional two miles of trails on the parcel.
The long-term plan is to turn the property over to the Metacomet Land Trust, which will ensure the land is preserved and available for equestrians and other users.
In addition to buying this parcel of land, BSTRA donated toward the purchase of the Kelly property in Upton. Thanks to the generosity of BSTRA and other donors, the Metacomet Land Trust recently purchased the property, expanding the Peppercorn Hill Conservation Area. The land will be held in trust by the Sudbury Valley Trustees.
BSTRA did maintenance work on the Peppercorn Hill trails in preparation for the June 18 Trivia Ride, sponsored by Tourbillon Trailer Sales. The last time BSTRA held a ride at Peppercorn Hills was in 1997!
As land is developed, purchase of open space properties is another way organizations can safeguard that trails remain for all users.
BSTRA’s fall calendar offers something for everyone including a judged ride. Of course, what would fall be without the Sue Brainard Memorial Hunter Pace? Sponsored by the Mane Place and Equinature, the Hunter Pace will be held in Douglas State Forest at the Wallum Lake Beach Parking Area, on September 19. Set-up for the Hunter Pace is September 18. Volunteers are welcome. There will be four divisions: Hunter (fast), Hilltop (average), Trailblazer (leisurely), and Junior (average). The goal is to complete the course as close as possible to the optimal time for your division. Jumps are optional, and none are more than three feet. You can ride on your own or as a team. Ribbons will be awarded for first through sixth place. Lunch will be provided. Can you believe this is the 31st year for this event?
For more information about the Sue Brainard Memorial Hunter Pace or any of our other rides, visit BSTRA.org.
See you on the trails!
Karen Parlin
MaryEllen Coyne and Karleen Mohn, winners of the Bay State Trail Riders Association’s June Trivia Ride at Peppercorn Hill in Upton.
y Annamaria Paul
Charles River Dressage Association
The CRDA made a smooth transition to a 2021 filled with shows and clinics. In-person
shows returned in May and June at Apple Knoll Farm in Millis, with the show season continuing to September 26. There were smiles all around thanks to the enthusiasm of officers, volunteers, and riders. Virtual shows continued to the delight of riders who prefer virtual to in-person shows for a variety of reasons. Numerous entries have kept the judges busy since the summer of 2020. The banquet is planned for November 20, and there will be a year-end clinic.
The year 2022 looks to be another great year for CRDA. The club has planned two virtual show series in addition to in-person shows. The first virtual shows are planned for January and March, with entries due in the first half of the month and videos due in the second half of the month.
Once again, the CRDA scholarship is sponsored by Sage Farm in Dover. The scholarship provides $500 for a rider to further his/her dressage studies and skills. The winner may use the money for mounted or unmounted lessons and clinics, or travel expenses to educational seminars. Applications are available at crdressage.org. Any member in good standing may apply for the scholarship. Nonmembers may register for membership when they apply.
CRDA is open to all ages and riding levels. In addition to an adult membership, the club offers an affordable junior membership for members under the age of 18. All membership levels include reduced pricing for clinics and shows, eligibility for the scholarship, year-end awards, and volunteer awards. The heart of a nonprofit club is its volunteers; our members contribute hours each year to support the sport they love while gaining a feeling of satisfaction.
CRDA has some great new officers and volunteers. Erika Hendricks and Janet Sinclair organize volunteers for the in-person shows, Cerredwyn Horrigan is the virtual show secretary, and Laura Haney is the new membership coordinator.
If you aren’t a member, stop by our monthly meeting to learn more about the club. Meetings are held at Restaurant 45 in Medway on the first Tuesday of every month from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
The mission of CRDA is to provide affordable quality dressage schooling shows, clinics, educational lectures, and sponsorships to its members and local community. CRDA strives to offer a friendly casual forum in which riders can compete and gain knowledge about the art and sport of dressage.
Be sure to check crdressage.org and the Charles River Dressage Association Facebook page for information about shows, clinics, and activities.
y Nancy Zacks
Connecticut Morgan Horse Association
In June, the CMHA celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Connecticut Morgan Open Horse Show (CMOHS) at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. More than 270 horses and their riders joined us for an exciting week of competition, camaraderie, and celebrations. John Lampropoulos was our show
manager with Pam Turner as our show secretary. Show committee members included Kaitlin Stachowiak (chair), Mary Tesla, Colleen Tondalo, Adam Lagosz, Elisa Santee, Amanda Zsido, Julianne Lagosz, David Hennessey, and Stacey Stearns.
CMOHS featured 198 qualifying classes and championships. We were excited to bring back the Nutmeg Sweepstakes in the Pleasure division.
Connecticut Morgan Horse Association show committee members at the Connecticut Morgan Open Horse Show Gala.
Exhibitors competed in hand, under saddle, and in harness. The 2021 champions were Liz Ciccone and LNT Cassanova.
L’Cima’s Exclusive, owned and shown by Terri Page Travers, was our 2021 Hall of Fame inductee. Terri drove L’Cima’s Exclusive to the song Diamonds by Rihanna in a moving tribute to their countless victory passes at our show, on the New England circuit, and at the Morgan Grand National. Terri’s husband, Sean, and team members from Taylor River Farm and Braeburn Equestrian Center joined them in center ring for the ceremony.
We held a memorial ceremony for Lance Wetmore of Bittersweet Farm, who passed in April. Lance served as our president from 1991–1992 and was a horseman like no other. John Bennett, past president of CMHA and Lance’s friend, drove Martha Wetmore, Lance’s wife, around the ring as we paid tribute to this wonderful horseman. Lance and Martha’s family then joined them in center ring. You will be greatly missed, Lance!
On Friday night, CMOHS celebrated our 60th anniversary with a gala. Exhibitors, sponsors, and friends enjoyed an evening of camaraderie and celebration. CMHA recognized Kaitlin Stachowiak as our Person of the Year. Kaitlin is a longtime board member, chair of our scholarship committee, chair of the 2021 horse show committee, and past coordinator of our dressage divisions.
Youth are a central part of our CMHA mission. Caprice Tondalo of North Haven received the Eileen Hunter Memorial Scholarship. She recently graduated from high school and will be majoring in communications with a minor in marketing at Quinnipiac University. Once again, we had a strong turnout for the Youth of the Year Contest. Erin Robinson won the Senior Contest and will be representing us at the Grand National in October.
CMHA thanks our exhibitors, trainers, spectators, and sponsors for welcoming our show back in a big way. We look forward to seeing everyone again in June 2022 for the 61st show.
Trail rides round out the lineup of 2021 CMHA events. Wanda Stazick, our trail committee chair, has four rides planned this year. We held the Spring Fling at Hammonasset in March, and the Arcadia Ride in July with members Linda Krul and Celeste Santos-Rivera coordinating. Our final two rides, open to all breeds, are October 24 in East Lyme and November 21 in Groton. To learn more, visit ctmorgans.org.
y Stacey Stearns
Connecticut Renegades Cowboy Mounted Shooters
Riders were thrilled to start off this season in a somewhat normal fashion. By the time our Spring Clinic came around most of us were fully vaccinated and ready for some fun! The clinic welcomed several new shooters from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York. Many of these new riders joined us
for our May and June competitions. Our Smokin’ Guns Match on May 9 was won by club president, Tom Beckman. Only 1.5 seconds behind him was club vice president Sabrina Beckman. The Amity Mayhem Match, held on June 5, was won by Sabrina Beckman and the reserve overall winner was Kayla Davis. Coming in third and Overall Cowboy was Tom Beckman.
Anxious to make up for lost time, several Connecticut Renegades traveled to Lexington, Virginia, to compete at the Appalachian Mountain Championship. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association
Connecticut Renegade Kayla Davis at the Appalachian Mountain Championship on Trigger.
Pine Grove Photography by Shawn Yospin
(CMSA) hosted its second annual championship competition at the lovely Virginia Horse Center. This complex boasts 600 acres with eight barns, multiple campgrounds, miles of trails, and 19 show rings including a AA-rated indoor coliseum. This premier location in the heart of Virginia horse country traditionally hosts dressage, eventing, and hunter/jumper events, but for one week each year cowboy hats and six-shooters take over.
Out of 234 riders, the highest finishes for the Connecticut Renegades were Mike Brogan in 42nd place, followed by Kayla Davis in 55th place. Both riders shot clean (no missed targets) in the main match. Mike finished third overall in his class, won his division in the Shotgun class, and finished ninth in the Eliminator event for his division. He shot 109 out of his 110 balloons that week! Kayla finished third overall in her class and placed seventh in the Eliminator event for her division. Sabrina also competed in multiple events including the American Quarter Horse Association division and Cavalry. She finished fifth overall in the Cavalry event. Thanks to the live video feed provided by the CMSA, family and friends were able to watch the competition and stay current with all the riders.
The Connecticut Renegades are happy to announce that Tom and Sabrina Beckman have been nominated along with 10 other families for the 2021 CMSA Family of the Year! Voting began on July 8 and the winners will be announced at the CMSA World Championship in October in Amarillo, Texas. Their devotion to our club and support to surrounding clubs make Tom and Sabrina excellent candidates.
The Connecticut Renegades are always welcoming new members. If you have an interest in horses and would like to find out more about our sport, please come to an event and introduce yourself to one of our many friendly members. For more information, visit ctrenegades.com.
CTRA is enjoying a busy season. Our numerous rides have been well attended. Even our camping weekends over Memorial Day and Fourth of July were well attended despite very cold and wet conditions. Members enjoyed Christmas in July with many activities through the weekend.
The CTRA has a long history of community service. This year many of our members took on doing some land clearing and cleanup at Machimoodus State
Park. The park rangers praised our efforts and good work.
We have many more rides scheduled throughout the fall including our Beach Ride at Bluff Point on September 12 and a Fall Foliage Ride in Chester on October 3. Our annual fund-raising auction is set for August 15. This is always a great time for all and an excellent time to get great deals. Our annual banquet and election of officers will be held at Monticello Banquet Facility in Meriden on November 6. At this banquet we give out our year-end awards. It’s hard to believe that by that time we will be thinking of winter and heat, instead of using our air conditioners!
Carole Rose on Sammy and Maria Werkoven on Minnie at the Connecticut Trail Rides Association Mountain Laurel Ride at George Seymour State Forest in East Hampton.
y Christine Mard
Hampshire County Riding Club
The club has an ambitious calendar of events for the season, and the grounds have been teeming with activity since May. We kicked off the season with our Fun Day, with divisions and games ranging from Lead Line to Adult, followed by a Versatility and Obstacle Clinic and Competition hosted by Peter Whitmore .
In July, our TREC Clinic, held at the HCRC grounds, covered Phase I (trail obstacle course) and Phase II (control of paces). A fun competition in the afternoon included judging on both phases with ribbons and prizes in each category. This was
the first of three TREC events scheduled for this season. A Zoom evening webinar, featuring international TREC judges, was held as part of our speaker series, to introduce participants to TREC Phase III (orienteering techniques). These two events were held to prepare for our TREC Competition, featuring all three phases, to be held at Corinthian Farm in Chester on September 11.
A horse camping weekend at Wagon Wheel Campground in Warwick was a relaxing time to socialize with friends and try some new trails. We have also led two trail rides, one at the Chesterfield Gorge and one at the DAR State Forest in Goshen, along with an open weekend and overnight camping at the club for members to enjoy the trails, obstacles, and rings.
We had a Dressage Schooling Show on August 7, with Suzanne Mente as judge. This was open to both English and western dressage riders.
There will be a Hunter Pace at Corinthian Farm in Chester on October 23. The farm is a perfect venue with more than 100 acres of field and forest over varied terrain.
The club is hosting a trail ride at the Kenneth Dubuque (Hawley) Memorial State Forest on September 19, a beautiful New England forest with 50 miles of trails and woods roads. The Fall Foliage Ride at Northfield Mountain and Recreation Center will be held on October 17 , followed by a potluck barbecue at the picnic area. Both rides are for HCRC members and their guests.
Our Meeting and Speaker Series is held on the third Wednesday of every month. Coming up is First Aid on the Trail presented by Caroline Barstow, DVM, of Hess McWilliams Veterinary Services, on September 15, hopefully in person; otherwise on Zoom. Visit hampshirecounty ridingclub.org for more Meeting and Speaker Series information.
The Hilltown Misfits 4-H Fun Day will be held at HCRC grounds on October 10. This includes horseback games, old and new, and divisions from Beginner to Serious Competitor, including Lead Line.
Our Versatility Series, with year-end awards, is based on points earned from our Fun Day, Whitmore Versatility/Obstacle Clinic Competition, Dressage Show, TREC Competition, and the Hunter Pace. We also have introduced the HCRC All-Round Horse and Rider Recognition where members can accrue points for a variety of activities to earn medals/certificates. Our Annual Meeting, Awards, and Elections will be held on October 2 . To learn more, and to join us, visit hampshirecountyridingclub.org.
The Hampshire County Riding Club held a Fun Day at its club grounds in Goshen.
y Diane Merritt
Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council
MHC has been up and running, happy that we are enjoying a robust 2021 season. Nearly 100 shows have affiliated with MHC this year, with many still to go through November. Show dates and information
are posted at mahorsecouncil.com. It’s not too late to join MHC and be eligible for academic scholarships and year-end awards.
The MHC Pleasure Classic will be held at Briggs Stable in Hanover on September 12. Our judges this year are Charles Ethier and Jennifer Sullivan. This featured show is also affiliated with the New England Horsemen’s Council (NEHC) and the South Shore Horsemen’s Council (SSHC). It’s doublepointed for MHC. Besides being a favorite show for many, it‘s also an opportunity for exhibitors to get extra points toward the MHC race for 2021 year-end
championships. Offered are Lead Line, Walk-Trot for all ages, Saddlebred, Palomino, Morgan, Pleasure, Arabian/ Half Arabian, Open Halter, Showmanship, and many more divisions. Classics are offered in Walk-Trot 10 and Under, MHC/SSHC Walk Trot 11 & Over, Saddle Seat, Western Pleasure, and Hunter Pleasure.
Also offered at the Classic are two special awards, the Community Horse Youth Award, to be given to the junior who has shown the best horsemanship and sportsmanship, and the MHC Pleasure Horse Lifetime Achievement Award, given to an all-around equine schoolmaster who has given a lifetime of beginner lessons.
MHC’s other special show is the Day of Champions, which will be held October 1–3 at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton. Our judges this year are Patrick Rodes, Lyman Whitehead, John Roper, and Susan Horn. Courses will be designed by Patrick Rodes.
Thursday, September 30 is warm-up day followed by a USHJA-sponsored educational forum and light refreshments. Friday opens with the older adults followed by the younger adults. The day ends with the President’s Dinner Party, catered by Spoleto.
Saturday is Junior Medal Day. Not only does the junior rider who wins receive a special ribbon and prizes, the junior’s parent(s) is also awarded a ribbon and silver picture frame. Sunday is Mini Medal Day with the junior riders followed by the Adult Mini Medal riders. Additional awards include a Sportsmanship Award, the Hall of Fame for a special horse or pony, and the Person of the Year Award.
Information regarding plans for the 2021 awards banquet, to be held in February, will be available at mahorse council.com.
The Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council Pleasure Classic will be at Briggs Stable in Hanover on September 12. y Paulajean O’Neill
Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association
The MQHA held the annual Spring and May Shows for 2021. We’re grateful to our generous sponsors and the management who made these two events such a success. We participated in the Region Six show in July, which saw an increase in numbers up from the previous, pre-pandemic year.
We will be awarding our scholarship monies soon and we look forward to preparing for the 2022 show season. To learn more about the MQHA, visit our Facebook page and massqha.com.
y Lori Mahassel
Middlebury Bridle Land Association
It’s time to mark your calendars and save the date of Sunday, September 19, for the MBLA’s Annual Fall Hunter Pace at the Larkin’s Farm at 747 South Street in Middlebury! MBLA vice president Sylvia Preston, her husband, Tom, and our
treasurer, Debbie Carlson, have consistently been out on our trails both on foot and horseback evaluating conditions, clearing and maintaining the trails throughout the fall, spring, and summer seasons. The trails are looking great!
Maybe you’re new to hunter pacing and you’re looking for the perfect pace to
introduce your horse to this type of event. Well, this is it! It’s a pace event with a little less chaos, fewer distractions, and more of a relaxed picnic-type of atmosphere. But it’s also the ideal pace for the veteran rider who simply loves a casual pace riding a course that offers some of the most beautiful vistas in Connecticut.
The MBLA Annual Fall Hunter Pace is part of the Associated Bridle Trails Fall Pace Series, and there will be four divisions: Hunt, Western, Junior, and Pleasure; all jumps will have a go-around. There will be no checkpoint, but there will be mandatory walk sections instead. Riders are asked to bring their own water and hay, and safety helmets must be worn by all riders. Appropriate footwear with heels is required for all divisions. First to tenth place ribbons will be awarded in each division with prizes for the first-place team in each division. Points earned go toward trophies in the Associated Bridle Trails Series.
Pre-registration is mandatory! September 12 is the cut-off date for submitting a completed registration form, waiver, current negative Coggins test, and payment. But don’t fret! We offer a noworries registration! If you don’t ride, for whatever reason, your check will be returned to you!
The cost for MBLA adult members is $50; adult nonmembers are $65. Junior MBLA members are $35 and junior nonmembers are $45. Lunch is available for $20 for nonriders, and of course, lunch for riders is free.
For registration and release-of-risk forms, as well as directions, visit middleburybridle.org. Questions? Call ShawnaLee at (203) 598-0065 or email info@middleburybridle.org.
ShawnaLee W. Kwashnak
The Middlebury Bridle Land Association is holding its annual Fall Hunter Pace on Sunday, September 19, at Larkin’s Farm in Middlebury. y Sally L. Feuerberg
Old North Bridge Hounds
ONBH is a drag hunt, in which riders hunt the trail of an artificially laid scent. No animals are harmed.
After a very quiet 2020, we were thrilled to be able to venture out this spring and return to our territory in central Massachusetts. Hunts were held in Stow, Concord, Groton, Berlin, and in Sudbury at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn. Following the hunt at Sudbury, everyone had lunch in the Ford Room, which was the private residence of Henry Ford when he stayed at the Inn.
For the fall season we are planning a return to Longfellow’s Wayside Inn with a hunt leaving from the grounds of the inn out to the woods of Sudbury and return to have a delicious Thanksgiving buffet. It’s an amazing way to spend the holiday, meeting friends, riding out with horses and hounds, stepping back in time, and you don’t have to cook!
Several other events are also planned for the fall including our annual Fall Hunter Pace out of Red Rail Farm in Lincoln. This ride takes you along some of the most beautiful countryside including Walden Pond, and there are jumps along the route if you so desire. The Hunter Pace usually takes place on the second weekend of October; check our website or join us on Facebook for details.
We’re also hoping to have a latesummer foxhunting clinic for interested riders to join us for a few hours to explore the sport of foxhunting. We will have hounds there as well as the Master of the Foxhounds. The day will include a brief history of the sport in New England and the opportunity join both horses and hounds with your horse as an introduction to the sport. Details of this clinic are
still being worked out, so be sure to check our website for more information.
To round out fall, a Poker Ride is being planned for riders of all disciplines to enjoy. One of our most lovely hunts, on foot or horse, is the Blessing of the Hounds. This will take place in Berlin and we welcome everyone to come and join us for the beauty, history, and love of animals and nature. Dates for both events to be announced.
Last but not least is the Masters’ Dinner in December. It’s a celebration of the year, and like our hounds, we love to eat, meet new friends, and party! Come join the fun! We hope to see you this year.
Our website, oldnorthbridge hounds.org, provides information on upcoming events, the history of our club, and contact information.
Amy Keith
Old North Bridge Hounds Ride and Luncheon at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, Sudbury. Pictured here (from left to right): Ginny Zukatynksi riding Maddie, Sandra Bedford riding Kramer, Laurie Fitch riding MoeJo, Larry Franko riding Jolie, Marjorie Franko riding Sugar and Spice, Sue Freeman riding Tiffany, Wendy Good riding Spring,
Marti Laramee riding Markie, Joe Seymour riding Max, Linda Souchek riding Betty Boop, Kelsey Buckley riding
Gabbiano Interagro, and Sarah Murphy on Tucker.
How about a nice massage? For your horse!
Redding, CT (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net
y Patricia E. Jackson
Call or email for your introductory offer!
