[ TOP TRAIL RIDES ]
Rave Rides Karen Gauthier and Kid Deluxe on the Boxford trails system.
RICK GAUTHIER
COURTESY OF BTA/BOLT
A trail map of Lockwood Forest.
toning your jumping form over the crosscountry fences. The organizations host at least three events each year on the protected land, including a multi-discipline horse show, a dog show, and a three-phase. Upcoming events include a trail ride on October 16 and the ABC Benefit Horse Trials, scheduled for October 23. For more information visit www.btabolt.org.
Priscilla Welch riding her Morgan, Eddie.
BOXFORD TRAILS SYSTEM MIDDLETON ROAD/ LOCKWOOD LANE BOXFORD, MASS.
“LOCKWOOD FOREST REALLY IS A HIDDEN TREASURE FOR A RIDER. THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE— WOODS, WATER, MEADOWLAND, HILLS, JUMPS, AND, OF COURSE, INTERCONNECTING PATHS WITH THE REST OF THE BOXFORD TRAIL SYSTEM.” -Joyce Copland, Boxford Trails Association 14
HORSE ME N’ S Y A NKEE PED L AR
What you need to prepare: There are over 100 miles of trails and 1,200 acres of protected land located in Boxford, Mass., all maintained by the Boxford Trails Association/ Boxford Open Land Trust (BTA/BOLT). Lockwood Forest is a favorite spot in the trail system among equestrians. Parking is tight, with room for a handful of trailers between two sites—Lockwood Lane and Middleton Road—so trailer-pool when possible. There are no restrooms or water for people, and no trash receptacles, so come prepared. There is, however, a brook that runs through the forest near the Lockwood Lane entrance available when your mount gets thirsty. Trail highlights: According to Copland, the Boxford trails system and Lockwood Forest offer something for every horse-rider team, from enjoying a relaxing day on the trails and conditioning your horse with hill work, to perfecting your dressage in the flatlands and
SEPTEMBER 2011
Take note: There is no trail fee, but those who visit the forest regularly are strongly urged to become members of BTA/BOLT, a volunteerrun, nonprofit group. No motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed on the land, though hikers, bikers, snowshoers, and dogs off leash are welcome, so be aware you could come across them. BTA/BOLT asks riders to please stay off trails and jumps when the ground is wet and soft, and cross-country fences are closed for several weeks before their horse trials. Send us photos of you and your horse out on the trail and you could win! If your photos are featured in next month’s Rave Rides, you’ll receive a free Mane ‘n Tail gift set! Please email high resolution photos (minimum 300 dpi, at least 4x6 inches) of yourself riding at your favorite state or national park, free access land, or beach, along with why you love riding there, to editorial@pedlar.com.