the scoop
Winning Weekends
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Long Island Lines
continued from page 117 came along. The hayloft was full of corn, and large rats were scurrying around. The Brinkmanns restored the property and ran a boarding facility for many years. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, riders could wind their way through several hours’ worth of trails that took them past the Thomas School of Horsemanship, Rice Farm (which once belonged to jockey Ted Atkinson), a Boy Scout camp, and many dirt roads and potato farms. The Brinkmanns built a large indoor arena so that boarders no longer had to battle the winter snow and ice. They ran horse shows, and their son, Dr. Ted Brinkmann Jr., practiced veterinary medicine and played polo. Dr. Brinkmann is now practicing at a small animal clinic in Florida and still plays polo. The Brinkmanns’ house had a plaque 118 equine
Journal
| November 2012
Alyssa Tacinelli and Mystery Commander were the Unity Stables Showmanship Reserve Champions and earned a top five in the Walker’s Farm & Tack Halter Championship.
Te shown by Jennalinn Teal VanHeusen for owner Tammy Donato. Second place went to Invite This Edition shown by Crystal Marshall for owner Cathy Elia. Two new special events were added in 2012, including the Right at Home Farms $100 Added Trail Challenge, won by Step Ahead Two Tango and Crystal Marshal for owner Maryanne Dronchi. Sherrie Van Tassel rode Sippa Black Gold to second place for owner Ashley Barnard. The North County Horses Hunter Classic, also new this year, was won by Jem Trader and Katelyn Kveragas. Following in second place was Copenhagen Angel, ridden by Teddi Monette for owner Amanda Vance. Winning Weekends was able to
stating: “This house was built by John Smith the carpenter in 1785.” The front barn was built around the same time, the big cow barn probably after World War II, and a smaller barn in the early 1950s. In addition to the riding rings, there was a hunt course behind the house. The early years were a struggle for the Brinkmanns, as the suburbs had not yet expanded, and there were few boarders. But, after World War II, there was a housing boom, and Long Island communities began to spread eastward. By the 1970s, there was a large, congenial group of boarders who rode the trails, took lessons, and competed in horse shows. Brinkmanns’ right-hand man was Blair Stevenson, who also played polo and was popular with all the boarders. In the late 1980s, the Brinkmanns left, and the farm was briefly owned by Joan and Arthur Boesch. The Boesches had
donate over $550 to several local charities. Ride for a Reason class winners Natalie Conte, Haley Claes, and Amanda Swartz, as well as Hannah Chorlton received a special award donated by Robin Hoods for participating in multiple Ride for a Reason classes during the show series. Winning Weekends also collected donations for the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley during exhibitor parties as the entry fee to participate in Carrot Trail. Now busy planning for 2013, Winning Weekends will be once again planning a “Show & Tell” event, and are happy to announce that Gretchen Mathes will be judging. For more information, visit WinningWeekends.com.
lived across the street from the stable in a contemporary home next to Round Pond, where Whitman is said to have written some of his poetry. Around 1997, Melody Farm passed into the hands of Nancy Henderson, who renamed it Stanhope Stables, painted the red barns blue, and converted the hunt course into additional turnout paddocks. Nancy contributes to the Long Island equestrian community by running recognized dressage competitions, which have disappeared from many other locations in recent years. The farm’s quiet atmosphere contrasts greatly with the bustling, commercial Jericho Turnpike, which is located a short distance down winding West Hills Road, virtually within walking distance. It is a pleasant haven for horsemen and a reminder of yesteryear, bringing the 18th century into the 21st.
Photo: bryan nigro
Roberts, who received awards sponsored by Shupperd’s Tack Shop. New for this year were AQHA classes in the Open, Green, and Equestrians with Disabilities divisions. This year’s Funny Farm Designs Best Junior Rider was Arianna Italiano, and the Cowgirl Couture Best Amateur Rider was Tammy Barnard. Both riders earned these awards from points accumulated based on their placings in specific classes, a written test, and general sportsmanship. New for 2012, the Championship class placings were expanded to top five, not just champion and reserve. The Walker’s Farm & Tack Halter Champion was Step Ahead Two Tango shown by Crystal Marshal for owner Mary Ann Dronchi, and reserve was Huntin for Cruise, owned and shown by Jennifer Austin. The Unity Stables Showmanship Champion was Tammy Donato and That Would Be Te; reserve went to Alyssa Tacinelli showing Mystery Commander. The Equine Clinic at OakenCroft Open Equitation Champion was Tammy Barnard aboard Just Swattin Bugs, followed by Cheryl Rudolph showing No Emotions Involved to reserve. The WalkTrot-Jog Equitation Champion was Ashley Barnard with Sippa Black Gold, followed by Gayle Russell and CS Black Diamond. The Triple Crown $100 Added Pleasure Challenge winner was That Would Be