Connecticut Horse May/June 2017

C O N N E C T IC U T

HORSE ANNUA L EVENT S ISSUE

WHEN THE HORSES COME HOME TEN ESSENTIALS TO MAKE THE DREAM A REALITY page 8

MISSY MILLER INTERNATIONAL EVENTER MAKES CONNECTICUT HER HOME page 12

May/June 2017 connhorse.com $4

SHENIPSIT STATE FOREST MILES OF MARKED TRAILS TRAIL GUIDE page 20

ANNUAL EVENTS ISSUE NUTMEG STATE EVENTS CALENDAR page 34

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contents

May/June 2017

columns 16 Kyla Sullivan Learning from Every Opportunity Youth Spotlight

20 Shenipsit State Forest Toni Leland

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Miles of Marked Trails Trail Guide

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22 Is the Waiver Enforceable?

In Connecticut the Answer Is, Maybe

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Sarah Grote Photography

Kristin Carpenter

Above the Bar

34 Events Calendar Nutmeg State Events

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in every issue

features 8

When the Horses Come Home Ten Essentials to Make the Dream a Reality

12

Missy Miller International Eventer Makes Connecticut Her Home Horseperson Feature

14

Treasure Hill Farm Happy Horses and a Family Atmosphere

5

From the Publisher

7

Your Letters

21

This Olde Horse

24

Overherd: News in Our Community

30

Partners

33

Nutmeg State Happenings

34

Connecticut Events Calendar

Building a Forever Home

47

The Neighborhood

Lend a Hoof

48

Advertiser Index

49

Is This Your Horse?

Farm Feature

18 Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue

Connecticut Horse

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May/June 2017

From the Publisher

S

pring is here, and it’s time to start having fun with our horses again! If you keep yours at home, as I do,

you know that in the cold, snowy, short days of win-

ter, often it’s all about just getting horses fed and barns mucked, and keeping unfrozen water available. It seems

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there’s little time for the really good stuff — riding, training, grooming, playing. Now, on these warmer days, it’s so

Haflinger mares Caszual and Cat coming in from the pasture at Pocketful of Ponies Farm. Miniature horse Peanut is in between.

good to put gloveless hands on my horses. I hope you, too, are finding the feel of your horse’s shedding coat a joyful experience.

It’s mid-April and the pastures are growing beautiful

Ride with Us! Competitive Rates & Great Service Call for a no hassle, free quote.

green grass. I’m looking out the window and watching the herd on this sunny day. I know summer is coming because the horses are swishing their tails at the infrequent fly. Soon shiny, buttery coats will appear along with the pesky summer insects.

In this issue you’ll discover, or rediscover, a vast array of Connecticut events: listings begin on page 34. When you’re

Mortality & Major Medical . Farm Packages Horse Associations and Clubs . Directors & Officers Horse Shows, Clinics, Events . Expo Coverage Instructor Liability . Payment Plans

enjoying one of them — either participating or auditing — look for the bright yellow van with Connecticut Horse signs and do stop and say hi.

Happy spring!

We will provide you with competitive rates, educated service, and help substantiate values.

Terri Ray (781) 837-6550 donrayinsurance.com Connecticut Horse

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CON N EC T ICU T

HORSE vol. 2, no. 6 May/June 2017

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. © 2017 Connecticut Horse All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this magazine or portions thereof in any form without prior written permission.

publisher Stephanie Sanders • steph@connhorse.com • (413) 268-3302 editor Kathaleen Emerson feature writers Andrea Bugbee, Sally L. Feuerberg, Sean Hogan, Esq. Toni Leland, Alessandra Mele, Stacey Stearns contributors Patti Crowther, Joan Davis, Kathy Diemer Allison Forsyth, Raymond Hill, Diane Morton, Jennifer Rudtke county desk liaisons Fairfield and New Haven Counties Sally L. Feuerberg . sallyf623@gmail.com . (203) 339-0357 Hartford County Kerri Cavanaugh . kerricav132@yahoo.com . (203) 206-1113 Litchfield County Chauntelle Masslon . oakridgefarm12@gmail.com . (860) 967-5871 Middlesex County Kaitlyn Keegan . kkeegan0925@gmail.com . (413) 519-0079 Tolland County Christine Church . christine.church@sbcglobal.net . (860) 748-9757 advertising Main Office: ads@connhorse.com (413) 268-3302 (voice or text)

HAMDEN Michael Benedetti 203.248.1100 M.Benedetti@farm-family.com LISBON Dean Roussel & Robert Stearns 860.376.2393 Dean_Roussel@farm-family.com Robert_Stearns@farm-family.com SOUTHINGTON Michele Rosa 860.329.0103 Michele_Rosa@farm-family.com VERNON Bo Muschinsky 860.875.3333 BMuschinsky@farm-family.com

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©2017 ShawnaLee Kwashnak, shawnalee.com. This watercolor is available for purchase!

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.

Your Letters To the Editor: The Connecticut Horse Youth Award arrived today in the mail and it’s great! What a nice selection of treats and goodies for a lucky kid. Thank you for your generous award.

Thank you so much for supporting our farm. I feel like the show season this year is going to rock!

MaryAnn Smith, Treasure Hill Farm Equestrian Center, Salem

To the Editor: I really appreciate the articles in Connecticut Horse about the farm. The magazine seems to be doing well. I know I look forward to reading it.

Corinne Gagnon, Frazier Farm, Woodbury

To the Editor: I just got back from my first real vacation in a couple of years and was greeted by the issue of Connecticut Horse that I’m featured in [March/April 2017]. Thank you so much for this opportunity. It’s a thrill to see the article in print. I really appreciate being featured!

nOw Ing OFFEr ACrAL S CrAnIO Py t HE r A

Tara Korde, The Simple Equine, Darien

To the Editor: I just got the newest Connecticut Horse [March/April 2017] and what a wonderful surprise to see our horses in the centerfold. It’s awesome! Thank you for including H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut in the News in Our Community section!

Patty Wahlers, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, Washington

To the Editor: We always enjoy Connecticut Horse and we advertise in it. I just finished reading Helmet Safety – The Hard-Headed Facts [March/April 2017] and found it perfect for our campers to read! We’re suggesting to our camper parents that they read it too.

Alexandra Thomas, SJ Riding Camp, Ellington Send your letters to editor@connhorse.com or Connecticut Horse, 99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096.

Connecticut Horse

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When the Horses Come Home Ten Essentials to Make the Dream a Reality

Julie Sanders

by Alessandra Mele

M

y sister and I spent our childhood as you probably did — dutifully caring for our Breyer horse stable. Caring for the miniature, two-stall pine barn that housed about 20 model horses of all colors and breeds was a responsibility we took very seriously: stalls had to be mucked, hay distributed, water buckets filled, and carrots doled out. The sleek Thoroughbreds had to be raced, the mighty jumpers jumped, and the Quarter Horses saddled up to hit the trail. Our utopian stable and diverse herd lived peacefully thanks to our attentive barn management.

Many years later, we happily shoulder similar responsibilities, but now with real horses.

Our family built a barn on our property three years ago to bring home our two Quarter Horses, and it proved to be quite a learning experience.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a property: designing a barn layout, constructing the facility, and providing care for the horses that will live there. Bringing our horses to our own property has required hard work, lots of time and financial resources, but the reward is a Breyer horse stable come to life — a reality I wish for every horse owner. To help make sure the dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare, here are ten important 8

May/June 2017

things to think about before you bring your horses home.

1. Red tape: Know your town’s zoning bylaws and obtain proper permits.

Meeting zoning requirements, filling out lots of paperwork, and obtaining the necessary permits are not the fun part of building a barn, but they’re an essential component. First, determine whether your town allows you to build a barn and keep animals on your property. If the answer is no, you’ll have to obtain a variance to do so. You must also know the maximum number of horses per acre. This varies from town to town; our barn is in a town which requires three acres for the first horse, of which one and a half acres must be suitable pastureland, and two acres for every additional horse, of which one acre must be pasture.

There are many other variables that come along with zoning, and there can be some hairy restrictions if your area is residential. There may be development limitations, minimum setback requirements from neighbors or roads, building height restrictions, and environmental concerns. Chances are that several of these will affect your project, and it’s always best to understand and respect any restrictions. For example, our town has a wetlands bylaw

that prohibited us from building within 100 feet of designated wetlands. We had to be scrupulous about following those rules, which we were happy to abide by for the health of our horses and the protection of local wildlife.

It’s a good idea to become friendly with your zoning officer and the building inspector. The zoning officer will help you navigate the bylaws and the building inspector is going to keep an eye on the work you’re doing, making sure the project meets construction and safety standards. View these people as resources — if you meet the requirements, you’ll have a safe and durable structure.

2. Design smart, with functionality in mind.

Designing a layout is one of the fun parts! Do the research: There are a number of books that will give you ideas on barn layouts. Healthy Stables by Design,

by John Blackburn, is an elegant book filled with stunning examples of equine architecture that put the health and safety of the horses in the forefront. Be prepared to drool over the pictures of breathtaking barns. They’ll give you ideas to play with, and inspiration.

There are different ways to create a design, depending on how you’ll be putting up the structure. A kit barn is a popular option that’s sharp-looking and

lighting is also necessary. The safest and most effective positioning of light fixtures is directly overhead and out of reach. One light per stall is usually a minimum requirement, and the aisle as well as key work areas should be properly lit. Always keep safety in mind: Position outlets conveniently but where curious noses can’t reach them, make sure wires are safely covered, and keep bulbs within wire cages or protective shields.

Nancy Ronan

5. Runoff happens: Install a proper drainage system.

simple to construct. Typically you select a style and then customize here and there, the materials are shipped to you, and a builder puts it up. The old-fashioned method of blueprints, architects, and contractors is another way to go, and gives you full control over the layout. Select a builder with experience in equine properties; he or she will know the technicalities and procedures that you may not, and will provide guidance.

Whichever method you choose, make sure the plan allows the daily flow of movement around the farm. A central aisle flanked by stalls is a tried-andtrue plan. We went this route, and put run-out paddocks leading out of each stall so the horses can come and go as they please. In Connecticut, this is an ideal set-up for unpredictable weather.

3. Horses need to breathe: Make ventilation a priority.

Getting fresh air to the horses, and keeping it circulating throughout the barn year-round, is a consideration that must go into your design. Even during the cold days of winter, it’s important to resist the urge to seal up the place and instead to make sure fresh air can reach your horses. In the summer, circulation is crucial for keeping them comfortable and healthy. Without proper ventilation, moisture, dust, ammonia, and bad

smells build up, and these put your horses at risk for respiratory illness.

Ventilation is all about the doors and the ceilings. Warm, moist air rises, so you must provide a way for it to exit at the highest point. (This is the original purpose of the vented cupola, which is still an effective and attractive feature for a roof.) As that stale air exits, fresh air must have a way of entering, from a low point in the barn: through large barn doors and perhaps windows. This is a natural process of convection, and when incorporated into the barn design it will keep your horses breathing easily.

4. Use sunlight to your advantage.

Natural light from the sun is a valuable (and cheap) resource for visibility and warmth, especially during our long Connecticut winters. Not only does sunlight keep the inside of a barn pleasant, light, and airy, it’s also healthy for the horses and kills airborne germs.

Planning the barn so that it faces south, with several windows, will give you the best opportunity to let light stream in, and naturally warm the interior on those frigid winter days. Installing skylights is another way to fill the place with natural light.

Using sunlight to your advantage as much as possible is good, but electrical

Drainage is critical, and how best to provide it is a matter to plan before the construction stage to avoid a big, soggy problem. The bottom line is that fresh water must be able to flow in and dirty, excess water must be able to flow out.

The complexities surrounding this requirement will depend on the property you build on. For us, drainage was of the utmost importance because our barn is at the base of a steep hill (remember the wetlands?). We planned drainage systems below the surface, piled up the dirt, and chose porous footing options, and as a result we’ve never had a problem with flooding.

First, make sure the barn is being built high enough; 8 to 12 inches above ground level is the recommendation.

Second, have proper manure management and storage; you don’t want that kind of runoff. Consistently remove manure piles to keep things under control. On some properties, subsurface drainage is essential; on others, it’s still a good idea. Layers of clay soil and gravel below the flooring go a long way if you have a wet property. Stone dust makes excellent footing for wet properties; it drains well, but you have to groom it often for it to be of use.

French drains, which redirect excess water, are another way to control wetness.

6. You’re going to need a lot of water.

It’s well known that horses drink lots of water, and when planning a barn, that’s not even the half of it. Some tasks that require water are bathing your horses, cleaning buckets and tack, doing laundry, hosing off injuries, flushing toilets, scrubbing messes, soaking feed, and wetting down a dusty arena. No matter what needs crop up, barns inevitably go through a lot of water, so it’s important to make sure you have access to a clean, fresh supply. This means drawing from Connecticut Horse

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Somers, Ct

Quality Hay Straw Non-GMO Grain pleasantviewfarmsinc.com

(860) 803-2777 (860) 803-0675

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May/June 2017

an existing water line or digging a well.

Either way, be sure you have a plentiful supply.

Automatic waterers or buckets — that’s the question, and the answer comes down to preference and cost. If you can find durable automatic waterers that work consistently, they’re a godsend, saving time and much lugging of buckets back and forth. In the winter, your horses will have access to unfrozen water at all times, a big benefit. It’s difficult, however, to figure out how much the horses are drinking, and this is where the trusty bucket prevails. The peace of mind that comes when your horses are drinking from indestructible plastic pails may be worth the strength it takes to manually fill and refill them throughout the day.

7. Find several reliable resources for hay, and have a place to store it.

Another thing you’ll need a lot of is hay.

Forage should make up the majority of any horse’s diet. Have more than one place where you can get good hay, to ensure that you’ll be able to feed your hungry horses come blizzard or drought. Talking with local horsey folks comes in handy; they all have favorite

hay guys to recommend. Before buying, try to go and inspect the hay yourself; it would be a huge disappointment to have 300 bales of questionable hay littered with sticks, leaves, and the occasional crushed beer can delivered to your farm. If you take the time to make sure it’s quality forage, free of any funky colors, excessive dust, and weird smells, you’ll be feeding your horses worry-free for months.

Buying hay in bulk is common practice and the most cost effective. It’s crucial to have a dry, temperate place to keep it. If you can store hay bales in a shed or garage outside of the barn, this is safest for the horses. Hay bales inevitably create excess dust that horses don’t need to be inhaling, and lots of hay in one place is a serious fire hazard.

Hay bales must be free of moisture to avoid mold, so air circulation is key.

Stack them on wooden pallets; keeping them off the ground, in this way, allows air to circulate around and underneath the stacks. Place a tarp between the ground and the pallets to keep the hay from absorbing moisture from the ground. Scattering some rock salt between rows is an old farmer’s practice, and a good measure to take: salt

will absorb any excess moisture and further deter mold.

Store grain in a cool, dry place. A plastic or aluminum trash barrel with a secure lid works well. Immediately transfer the grain from bag to barrel when you bring it to the barn, as grain will turn rancid if stored in the bag for too long during our hot, humid summers. Plus, mice love to chew a hole in the bag and enjoy a picnic while also leaving little “deposits” in the grain.

8. Keep the beasts contained.

There’s no greater pleasure than watching your horses graze and play out in the pasture. There’s no greater panic than helplessly running after them as they bust through a weak point in the fence. Don’t put yourself in this situation: Invest in a sturdy fence. There are several options specific to equine needs; following are two.

A traditional white fence made of PVC or vinyl looks gorgeous, never needs to be painted, and is heavy duty enough to withstand any vigorous buttrubbing or gymnastic grass-grabbing. A more economical option is electric fencing. This is extremely effective for keeping horses in, as they quickly learn to respect the boundaries. With this choice, of utmost importance for a fully functioning system is to ground the electric charger. In addition, you must always have your electric fence on, so horses won’t “test” the fence and become tangled in it.

9. Find a trustworthy horse-sitter.

Bringing the horses home means you’re the primary caretaker, responsible for all the feeding, mucking, barn maintenance, grooming, and other tasks.

When you can’t be there, whether it be because of a vacation or an emergency, you must have someone you can trust to care for the horses in your absence. A reliable horse-sitter who will take care of your animals as well as you do is worth her weight in gold. When you find that person, make sure to walk her through the daily chores, write down specific directions, and make your expectations very clear. Leave emergency contact numbers, such as for the veterinarian, the farrier, and where she can reach you.

Having horsey neighbors may be of great benefit: You can care for each other’s farms as well as split loads of hay and share tractors, other expensive equipment, and riding rings.

10. Stop a moment and take it all in.

Just think: Your horses are in your backyard!

Having your horses at home is incredibly rewarding. Getting them there can be a challenge, but once you realize that you can see them, blissfully grazing just out the back window, whenever you want, all the money, time, and energy you’ve spent will be worth it.

Daily barn chores become vital rituals, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived otherwise. You’ll quietly check on your horses by moonlight before you go

to bed, calmed by the sleepy sound of hay-munching in cozy stalls. You’ll pause for moments in between sweeping the aisle and filling water buckets and stare in awe at your own Breyer horse dream turned into reality.

Alessandra Mele, who lives in Wilbraham, works in marketing at W. F. Young/Absorbine. She enjoys spending time with the horses on her family’s farm, especially riding her Quarter Horse, JoJo.

Connecticut Horse

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Horseperson Feature

Lakeville

by Andrea Bugbee

Missy Miller

International Eventer Makes Connecticut Her Home

T

In 2008, Darren needed to heal from critical injuries sustained when his horse fell on him at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee. It was then that Missy began working and studying under British eventer and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Leslie Law. With Leslie, Missy competed on the Young Riders Circuit. She also completed her first three-star season. Bad luck, however, intervened again. Both of the tal-

farm in England, and with Jurgen and Christoph Koschel, the father and son German dressage Olympian and Olympic trainer (respectively), who are based in Germany.

“That was an amazing experience,” Missy says, almost sighing. Until she rode with the Koschels, she’d always been in eventing programs and hadn’t focused singly on dressage.

“It was such a good working envi-

Matt Nuttall

rainer and three-star event rider Missy Miller was born in Alabama, but she’s been traveling throughout the equestrian world ever since she got out of middle school.

“I’m a total gypsy,” Missy says, laughing on the phone, talking with Connecticut Horse while she trains and competes in Ocala, Florida, during the winter show season. In 2016, Missy signed on as head trainer at Town Hill

Missy and Limited Edition in the CIC2* at Nunnery Horse Trials in England and Missy and Van Goettsching at the Rockingham Castle Horse Trials, also in England.

Farm in Lakeville, a 450-acre eventing stable with a cross-country course replete with banks, ditches, water, and other obstacles to challenge elementary through preliminary riders.

But it’s Ocala that brings Missy’s nomadic equestrian life full circle. As an adventurous 13-year-old, this focused competitor rode in a clinic in Ocala with 2004 Olympic bronze medal eventer Darren Chiacchia. That clinic unhitched the gate to a field of opportunities Missy could never have imagined.

“He said, ‘She’s a pretty good rider.

I’d take her on as a student,’ ” Missy says. “So we worked it out that I was able to do high school online and with a tutor.” For the next four years, Missy split her calendar between Ocala and Darren’s home farm in Buffalo, New York. Literally living every teenage horse lover’s dream, Missy’s days were full of hard work and horses — and it was school, not riding, that she fit in after hours.

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ented horses she had been riding suffered career-ending injuries at almost the same time.

Ever focused on improving herself, Missy turned her attention to college in 2010, graduating in 2014 with a degree in design.

But she never gave up riding.

It Takes a Village (and Two Continents) to Train an Eventer “The summer of 2011, I packed up and worked for William Fox-Pitt for five months,” Missy says. Working in Great Britain under the three-time Olympic medal eventer gave Missy a tantalizing taste of the European horse world and, as soon as she graduated from college, she moved to Europe for what she considers “grad school.”

For most of the time Missy competed abroad, she worked for, and studied under, 2012 Olympic gold medalist Dirk Schrade. She also rode with Australian eventer Bill Levett on his

ronment and so much fun,” she says. “It was so good for me and my horses. I’ve always considered myself an eventer and all of a sudden you’re on a horse that knows how to piaffe and passage and tempe so easily. You start to realize they really are different athletes.

They’re a totally different species, almost.”

“There’s always work to be done, and I know it can be better,” she says. “I learned that if you can get the hind end underneath you and working with you, then it’s a much easier process by far.”

Teaching from a World of Experiences After more than a decade of riding with Olympians on both sides of the Atlantic, Missy begins her training career at Town Hill Farm with a suitcase full of advice to share.

“Flatwork, flatwork, flatwork!” Missy says (and yes, she knows that’s what everyone says — because it’s true). “Try to close your eyes and think about

what’s going on underneath you. Listen to the horse. The flatwork I learned in Germany all starts in the hind end and travels up, so if you can get the hind end engaged, then everything is much easier.”

Missy also embraces the European ethic of “not going out to find your next top horse, but developing it all the way through.”

“I’ve always enjoyed bringing along young horses and now it’s even stronger. It’s that relationship,” Missy says. “If you have a good relationship with a horse, it doesn’t have to be the most talented in the barn. If they trust you, they’re going to try their heart out for you. Eventing is big, and some of those jumps are scary. I’d rather be on a horse I’ve brought up as a four-year-old because you have a better idea of how they’re going to react.”

Next, Missy advises paying attention to breeding when choosing an event horse — but not necessarily in the way riders might think.

“My biggest thing I’ve learned over the years is you want a good brain,” Missy says. “If you’re buying a foal or even getting an off-the-track Thoroughbred, there are going to be brothers and sisters related to this horse, so look at the brain on them.

Don’t focus so much on the jump or the movement. So many people can get blown away by a big, floaty trot, but if you have a horse that has a floaty trot, but [not] a brain that’s willing to work for you, at the end of the day you’re going to get to a show that has a big atmosphere, and you won’t be able to trust the horse.”

Finally, her time at the top has taught Missy the importance of training slowly. When bringing along a young horse, her focus isn’t on winning.

Instead, it’s on building trust, finding the job that lights the horse, and moving in gentle increments rather than leaps and bounds.

She says, “I have to be able to trust them, and they have to be able to have faith in me that I’m going to be consistent every time I ride them; that I’m not going to, all of a sudden, ask for something crazy or different.”

As an example, Missy described a young Trakehner mare she owned and eventually sold for enough money to pay for most of her trip to Germany.

Success, however, wasn’t instantaneous.

“At our first event she almost got me off,” Missy says. “She spooked at a pile of sand. I just kept riding her forward and giving her the best ride I could, and by the end of a little begin-

ner novice cross-country course, I felt her confidence grow until she started to take me to the fences. I felt her grow up underneath me. That was enough of a win for me. I’ll never forget that feeling.”

Building Her Own Identity Now 26 and settled with her horses in Connecticut (at least when she’s not in Florida), Missy is working to build her clientele while continuing to compete.

She trains regularly under David and Karen O’Connor, joking that Karen is as much her life coach as her riding coach.

“I’m really enjoying building my own identity and my own life in Connecticut,” she says. “I’m really happy here.”

Ward Belcher, Town Hill Farm’s third-generation owner, was lucky enough to catch this three-star eventer by placing an ad on Facebook. He describes Missy as experienced, tenacious, and brave, saying, “Missy is one of the up-and-coming young eventers.

She’s an excellent equestrian.”

Just as a floaty trot isn’t enough to bring every horse success, having natural ability isn’t all that’s brought Missy success, either.

“It’s what you do with that natural continued on page 46 . . .

Connecticut Horse

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Farm Feature Salem

by Toni Leland

Treasure Hill Farm Happy Horses and a Family Atmosphere

C

ourtney Collins believes that fate stepped in when she made the decision to buy her own riding

let my lesson horses go more than twice a day, and they must have one day off a week. I’m a stickler for that,” she says.

Walking down the barn aisle, Courtney’s love for the horses is reflected in their eager faces and friendly temperaments. A number of the lesson horses have been purchased by students, then left at the barn to continue their careers until time to retire.

“No horse should have to be a lesson

Leanne Schroeder

stable.

“I moved my horse here to Treasure Hill Farm in Salem when the barn first opened in 2012,” she says. “It was a very special place and I loved it.

I’d been discussing with my family about having my own barn, and had been looking at other farms. Then I got

student then goes to train with the appropriate instructor.

“Right now, we do two-phase shows, which are dressage and stadium jumping,” says Courtney. “We just built a cross-country course that will take about a year to grow in,” she says, smiling widely. “Then we’ll be able to do threephase shows.”

In the interim, she’s leasing a big adjacent field and using portable cross-

Treasure Hill Farm barn. Boarder MaryAnn Smith and her nine-year-old Friesian mare Willow.

an email from [Treasure Hill’s] owners saying they were shutting the doors and I needed to get my horse out.”

Over dinner, Courtney and the owners made a deal and the rest is, as they say, history. That was in 2015 and since that time Courtney has been making Treasure Hill Farm the facility of her dreams. “Right now, we have an FEIlevel dressage instructor and an eventing instructor,” she says. The goal is to become a top eventing and show barn, and Courtney’s determination shows in the attention to detail throughout the property and in her riding programs.

Courtney has a solid background that will aid in her goals. While volunteering at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, she earned her certification as a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) instructor. She also spent three years as an instructor for Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center in Middletown.

At Treasure Hill, Courtney takes the beginning riders, teaches them the basics, and helps them determine their goals, be it jumping or dressage. The 14

May/June 2017

country jumps for the students and instructors. “Our new course currently has a water complex, a bank, and a ditch, which are the three big types of eventing jumps that a lot of places don’t have on site,” says Courtney. “We also take our kids to derbies and events offproperty for jumping, dressage, and eventing.”

Although Courtney’s dream is to be a top facility, there is one thing she won’t sacrifice. “I want to keep that family feeling that we have here,” she says.

“Everybody knows everybody and we help each other out. Like, when someone is sick, we ride their horse. It’s a very friendly and open atmosphere.”

What about the economics?

“Obviously, every barn wants to make money,” she says, “and to do that you need a good lesson program, a good show program, and property you can use. For me, it’s about the people — the boarders, the lesson students — and making sure everyone has a good experience.”

Another of Courtney’s hard and fast rules at Treasure Hill Farm is keeping her 10 lesson horses happy. “I won’t

horse for its entire life,” says Courtney.

“Every horse needs a person.”

Asked if she has her own special horse, Courtney smiles and says, “Gracie. She’s my heart horse. I found her on Craigslist. The owner said the horse was dead broke, so I went to see her and, sure enough, she was rideable, unspookable, and easygoing. I took her.”

Courtney shakes her head. “Two days later, Gracie was wretched,” she says.

But there’s a happy ending to Gracie’s story. “Now that she’s been with me, she’s a completely different horse,” says Courtney. “And she’s saved me in more ways than I could ever imagine.”

Looking at Gracie on the cross ties, it’s hard to conceive of such a sad beginning. The beautiful dark horse whickers and nuzzles Courtney, then charmingly lifts a front leg and bows her head to beg for a treat, which Courtney always has on hand.

In addition to a caring staff and great goals, Treasure Hill Farm has even more to offer. The facility is tucked away from the road and the modern

21-stall heated barn is situated on 97 acres, which include the cross-country course, a couple miles of trails, expanded pasture turnouts, and a 150' x 300' outdoor arena with GGT (German Geo Textile) footing. This arena footing is unique in that it combines a type of pool sand with a nonwoven textile, usually polyester fiber. The footing prevents slipping and helps buffer concussion, and is excellent for horses’ hooves, muscles, and bones.

The barn also houses a cozy lounge and a 65' x 130' indoor arena, also with GGT footing. All stalls and pasture turnouts have automatic waterers — a definite plus during Connecticut winters.

Currently, Treasure Hill Farm is almost at capacity with 19 boarders, most of them long term. The lesson programs average between 20 and 30 students at all levels.

MaryAnn Smith, herself a boarder, but also the promotions person for the farm, talks about the events at Treasure Hill. “We have four two-phase schooling shows in the series,” says MaryAnn. “They’re very popular and are usually sold out immediately.”

Courtney welcomes other organizations to come in and present workshops

at Treasure Hill. “Last year, Pierre St. Jacques, an amazing Olympian clinician came, and he’ll do another clinic in the early spring,” says MaryAnn. In October, the fun Pumpkin Jump Show provides an opportunity to compete in costume, and later in the month, the annual Manes & Motion Cider Ride is a popular event — further support of the program in which Courtney was so deeply involved. She also supports the community through educational workshops, such as the Salem Land Trust– sponsored raptor demonstration by A Place Called Hope and performance demonstrations by Connecticut Dressage and Combined Training Association (CDCTA).

Summer horse camps are offered in April, June, July, and twice in August.

Sessions are five days, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are open to all ages and abilities.

Courtney smiles radiantly as she talks about her farm family. “We have a great set of boarders, a wonderful set of lesson students, and all our instructors are phenomenal,” she says. “I live on the property and this is my family. I could call on any one of these people and they’d be here for me.”

Treasure Hill’s head trainer/ instructor is Leanne Schroeder who joined the original staff in 2013.

Leanne is a USDF silver medalist and USDF L graduate with distinction.

In 2016, Tracey Woods joined the Treasure Hill team as eventing instructor. Tracey has been riding since age 10 and previously taught hunt seat discipline at 7Js Farm in Glastonbury.

With all the improvements to Treasure Hill Farm, the coming season looks to be a busy one. Courtney notes that the outdoor arena has such good drainage that there are no puddles when it rains. “We doubled the participation in our shows last year because of that,” she says. “In fact, we’re having to close registrations early because we’re running out of space.”

Sounds as though the hidden treasure on the hill will soon be no secret!

Toni Leland has written nine equestrian mysteries, a young-adult novel, two books on gardening, and a photographic history, and her articles have appeared in Grit, Over the Back Fence/Ohio, Country Living, Connecticut Lifestyles, Pathfinders, Sound and Country, Connecticut Family, and The Day (New London). She is the owner of Equine Graphics Publishing Group and SmallHorse Press.

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15

Wallingford

by Sally L. Feuerberg

Youth Spotlight

Kyla Sullivan Learning from Every Opportunity

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in Wellington, Florida, under the guidance and tutelage of her trainer Jill Shulman, of Back Country Farm in Greenwich. WEF encompasses 12 weeks of hunter/jumper and international show jumping competition and runs from January through April. Kyla took the initiative of coordinating all her homework assignments with her teachers

thing from small ponies to jumpers.

The horses all really like her. She’s focused and determined with an excellent work ethic. We’re very proud to have her on our team.”

When you talk to Kyla, you’re instantly captivated by her energy, enthusiasm, and her infectious smile.

Here, she gives us some insight into

Anne Gittins Photography

welve-year-old Kyla Sullivan is bright, ambitious, and not the slightest bit afraid of hard work.

By the end of last year, she’d received top ribbons at the 2016 Pony Finals including capturing the blue in the Medium Green Pony Hunters, and the national reserve champion in the Small Green Hunter Pony division.

Kyla and her mom Melissa. Kyla riding Waterloo, aka Lulu, in April at the Wellington Equestrian Festival in Florida.

In 2015, she was Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association’s champion and reserve champion in the Small Pony Hunters, and won the Emerson Burr High Point Pony Award.

She accomplished all of this without owning a pony of her own. In addition, she’s also a high honors student at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School in her hometown of Wallingford. Kyla is the epitome of dedication, devotion, and youthful exuberance.

The first three months of this year were exceptionally busy for Kyla and that didn’t faze her at all. She made 12 trips to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center where she competed in the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) 16

May/June 2017

for the days she would be away from school, and reserved the time necessary to keep up with her studies, as well as maintain her impeccable grades.

During WEF competition, she was in the ribbons on various catch rides in the pony hunters, including champion and reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunters. Kyla competed for the first time in the Low Children’s Jumper Classic 1.5 meters and placed third out of 47 riders on a horse she had shown only once before. It was her third time ever showing in the jumpers.

How does she balance it all? Jill says, “Kyla has a natural ability to adjust her riding style to any animal we put her on. She’s currently riding every-

how she not only manages her hectic schedule, but is still able to enjoy the activities of a typical 12-year-old and spend time with family and friends who’ve supported her throughout her equestrian endeavors:

Q. What’s a typical day for you?

A. Because I live almost an hour and a half from the barn, I only get to ride after school a couple of days during the week, but then I ride all weekend.

During the summer, I drive with my mom every day to her work in Norwalk, then Uber over to the barn in Greenwich for the day. I get to ride a bunch and help with some of the lessons. I try to learn all of the time even

when it’s not my lesson. I also love watching Sydney Shulman school her Grand Prix horses. Sometimes I even get to ride them!

Q. When you’re not at the barn or riding, where is the most likely place to find you?

A. My whole life is around riding and school. I miss a lot of school in the winter when I’m showing at WEF so I work really hard to keep up my grades. So far in seventh grade I’ve gotten all As. I love making musical videos and swimming in my pool with my family during the summer.

Q. What’s your most embarrassing show ring moment?

A. At pony medal finals, I had a great trip but forgot the halt! It was so embarrassing and I felt like I let my pony and trainer down.

Q. What characteristic do you value most in a horse?

A. I get to ride a lot of different horses and ponies. I’m starting to do the jumpers and equitation, too. I try to learn from each of them. I really like a horse or pony that is adjustable and can make shortening and lengthening strides look smooth and easy. I also love jumpers that turn really well. I’m so lucky that I get to ride so many amazing animals.

Q. What was the name of your first horse or pony?

A. Zach, Heavenly Zechariah. He’s the best teacher!

Q. What’s your favorite book?

A. The Eighty-Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts.

Q. What’s your favorite movie?

A. I really love Soul Surfer. Bethany Hamilton went through so much but she stayed positive and worked really hard to be able to surf again.

Q. Do you have pets?

A. I have two cats, Casey and Cosmo, and two dogs, Rickybobby, a Corgi and Fenway, a Pug. They’re all rescues. I’m a huge supporter of rescuing. Adopt don’t shop!

Q. What’s your most loved horse show snack?

A. Tuna sandwiches from David’s.

Q. What’s your horse’s favorite treat?

A. A new jumper that I have been showing, Brisco, is crazy for bananas.

Q. Does your horse have a funny quirk or behavior?

A. Another jumper that I’ve been showing, LuLu likes to lick my face!

Q. Any advice to new riders to your sport?

A. Take your time and keep trying!

Q. Where do you hope to be in five years?

A. Because Jill has given me so many opportunities, I’m starting to transition to horses and I’d like to be really competitive in the big equitation and the jumper classes. I also want to ride in college. I’m interested in Texas Christian University and the University of South Carolina, which both have NCAA division one equestrian programs.

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Q. How has your family helped you become who you are today?

A. My family is so important to who I am today. They support me and my riding. When I was four years old, my Uncle David purchased my first pony.

My granny used to braid for shows, my mom would train me, groom for me, and trailer the pony to the shows. My dad was always at the shows watching and cheering for me. They still spend all of their free time at shows and driving me back and forth to the barn.

My mom’s favorite thing in the world is to be a horse show mom. She’s the best at it and even helps all of the other girls at the barn.

Most of all, my family has always told me that there are no limits to what you can do if you work hard and are kind and grateful. That’s what I try to do. I’m so lucky!

That incredible horse show mom is Melissa Sullivan and she’s her daughter’s biggest fan. Melissa’s watched and admired Kyla’s determination, great attitude, and willingness to put forth her best effort in everything she does.

Both mother and daughter are well aware of the commitment made by so many others for Kyla to be able to accomplish and achieve what she has thus far.

“I’m so blessed!” says Melissa. “I couldn’t be prouder. I’m so grateful to all of the trainers and owners that have given Kyla opportunities over the years.

Kyla also has the full support of her entire family. It takes a village, and she’s very fortunate to have an amazing support system behind her. Kyla is the kindest, most driven, and dedicated person I know. She’s only begun to scratch the surface of what she’s capable of doing. I can’t wait for the future and I’m so happy to be along for the ride.”

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.

They’re the best!

Connecticut Horse

17

Haddam Neck

by Alessandra Mele

Lend a Hoof

Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue

A

Clydesdale. She fell in love with the gelding’s quiet, gentle nature and found herself infatuated with the draft breeds. “Once you go draft, you never go back!” she says, laughing. Stacey is an equine veterinarian and owns Connecticut Valley Equine Veterinary Services, a mobile practice.

living there.” This combination of meticulous care and unconditional love make for many, many success stories.

The positive impact is obvious just from looking at the herd of nearly 20 rescued draft horses; a variety of breeds, colors, temperaments, and backgrounds are on full display. There’s

Sarah Grote Photography

s the first golden sunrise of 2017 dawned over the peaceful, snowcovered paddocks of Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue (CDHR) in Haddam Neck, Dr. Stacey Golub surveyed the herd of gentle giants with an unfamiliar uncertainty in the pit of her stomach. Stacey’s the

Building a Forever Home

CDHR ambassadors Spencer and Oliver in July 2015 when they arrived at CDHR and, on the right, one year later.

founder and executive director of the rescue, and she, her many volunteers, and the horses have comfortably called this farm home since 2011, leasing the 68 acres. Upon the new year, however, news of the farm’s sale had broken and the team at CDHR learned they must find a new home by May. The prospect of being uprooted was unnerving, and Stacey knew they needed to take action quickly. “We worked at a blistering pace to find a new property,” she says. “We have twenty horses that rely on us and it’s our responsibility to provide for them.

With the help of an amazing realtor, we found our dream piece of land, and secured a lease-to-own agreement on the property in East Hampton.”

Finding the land of their dreams was only half the battle; now Stacey and her team must raise funds to build a facility. CDHR is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, funded completely by donations and fundraising efforts, so this is no small task. But, as always, Stacey and her team have a plan, and a fierce love for their rescued draft horses driving it all.

A Draft-Sized Love The seeds of that love were planted many years ago, when Stacey rescued a 18

May/June 2017

Not long after the Clydesdale stole her heart, Stacey and a few friends learned of a Shire mare in Pennsylvania destined for slaughter. Raising funds via Facebook, they were able to rescue Cleo, get her to safety, and find her a forever home. The sense of fulfillment Stacey felt once she saw Cleo off to a hopeful future overwhelmed her, and spurred her to do more. “It was such a wonderful feeling,” Stacey says, “and I knew I wanted to keep on doing it.”

She did just that. In February of 2011, Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue incorporated as a nonprofit and became a registered charity in Connecticut. The organization moved to the farm in Haddam Neck that October, and immediately set to work rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming draft horses. Since that time, they have rescued more than 70 horses and have adopted the majority out to loving homes.

Once draft horses arrive at CDHR, they get the best care under Stacey’s supervision. “We vet, quarantine, rehabilitate, train, and rehome rescued horses with a strict contract to their lifelong protection,” Stacey says. “We have exceptional volunteers who ensure that happens. They pour their hearts into the rescue and well-being of the horses

Duchess, a stunning young black and white Shire who arrived with a severe case of canker nearly a year ago, surrendered by her owner. Now canker free, Duchess has begun training under saddle. Nearby, a team of Percherons, Spencer and Oliver, groom one another; they suffered starvation and neglect before arriving at CDHR and now are blossoming into proud ambassadors for the organization, often pulling carriages at events. Then there’s Gretchen, an elderly Belgian, rescued from slaughter and then abandonment.

In retirement now, Gretchen’s soaking up the spring sunshine, clearly grateful for the sanctuary she’s found at CDHR. Stacey and the volunteers shower the horses with affection, treating each of the beloved drafts as if they were their own. The possibility of any of these horses being displaced is simply not an option—it’s why immediate action was taken when CDHR learned the property in Haddam Neck had been sold.

Capital Campaign If you’ve followed CDHR on Facebook, you’ve certainly seen the majestic photography of Sarah Grote. Her work has the ability to bring the personalities of each horse to life even for those who

have never witnessed them in person.

Beyond the photographs, Sarah has been instrumental in the progress of CDHR, serving as a board member and spreading the organization’s message with marketing and publicity campaigns. This year’s effort to raise funds for the new farm is CDHR’s biggest hurdle, and Sarah’s worked determinedly with Stacey, as well as her fellow board members Lori Harris, Pat Gugliotti, and Arlene Wrobel to develop a solid path toward achieving their goals.

“We’ve been busy formulating a plan for a capital campaign in 2017,” Sarah says. “The capital campaign will raise money for the land lease and future purchase, land assessment, survey, and preparation, building the barn, purchasing equipment, fencing, hay storage, and so much more.”

For a successful capital campaign, CDHR needs to raise between $400,000 and $500,000 this year. Sarah knows this is no small goal but it is certainly one worth pursuing. “With the purchase of the land, we have an opportunity to secure a permanent home for the current and future horses of CDHR,” Sarah says. “That’s an incredible sense of stability, and one we need to pursue to allow our mission to flourish.”

Time is of the essence, and this spring will be very busy as the team begins clearing the land, getting approvals from planning and zoning, and continuing to fundraise. Sarah knows that with the support of the community it’s all within reach: “There are a million details to consider, everything from building the infrastructure to transporting the horses, but we have an exceptionally dedicated, hardworking volunteer force to make it happen,” she says. “A commitment to making this capital campaign a reality, and our fierce love for the horses and desire to see them in loving forever homes will make it all happen.”

How to Help The most immediate need to bring the new CDHR facility to fruition is funding. Through the capital campaign, Stacey, Sarah, and volunteers are requesting support from those who wish to contribute to the horses in need. “In order to create this forever home for our herd, we need people to donate money, sponsor individual horses, offer their services, donate items for auctions at our events throughout the year, and attend our events,” Sarah says. “We’re an all-volunteer rescue and do all of our own fundraising, and now more than ever we need to rally support from the community.”

CDHR makes donating to their cause very simple. On CDHR’s website, ctdraftrescue.com, donors can choose to make a one-time donation or become monthly donors. Donor packages range from a $500 donation at the White Ribbon level to a $50,000 donation at the Diamond level; and donations of any amount make a difference.

While donations ordinarily go toward the safety and well-being of the draft horses, including their care, rehabilitation, and placement in forever homes, donations this year will also be supporting the capital campaign for constructing the new barn. This is a critical time for CDHR, and the intense focus on the capital campaign and dedication to seeing it through reflects the weight of their situation.

Events throughout the year are organized to rally support for the effort.

One of their largest events, Denim, Diamonds, and Drafts was held April 1.

The evening of dinner, dancing, raffles, and auctions was a significant boost for the capital campaign. “This is one of our bigger fundraisers, and it was wonderful to see the community come out and support our cause,” Sarah says. “It sold out well before April, and the resulting packed event lifted everyone’s spirits and made a real difference.”

Later this year, CDHR will also host a charity golf tournament, an Oktoberfest event, an art show, an exhibition at Equine Affaire, and a Holiday Open House.

Through all of these efforts, and with much progress already made, Stacey and the CDHR team know that their goal of securing a permanent residence for their beloved herd is attainable so long as they continue to work hard and rally the support they need.

The motto CDHR carries through all they do rings truer now than ever: “You can’t change the world by rescuing one horse, but for that one horse, its world is changed forever.”

Stacey knows the world of CDHR is about to change forever and she’s confident that it will be for the best. She finds herself looking toward each new sunrise with hope for her herd.

To donate, volunteer, and learn more, visit ctdraftrescue.com. Follow the rescue on Facebook at facebook.com/ctdraftrescue.

Alessandra Mele, who lives in Wilbraham, works in marketing at W. F. Young/Absorbine. She enjoys spending time with the horses on her family’s farm, especially riding her Quarter Horse, JoJo.

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19

Trail Guide

Stafford

by xx Stearns

by Stacey Stearns

Shenipsit State Forest Miles of Marked Trails

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trailers. Amenities include picnic tables and composting toilets. You should bring your own water.

Other recreational activities at Shenipsit include cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, snowmobiling, and letterboxing (an outdoor hobby that combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle solving.) With a list that long, you know it’s a popular destina-

Stacey Stearns

henipsit State Forest, situated in the towns of Somers, Stafford, and Ellington, sprawls across 7,078 acres on 11 parcels. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) manages the forest, and it’s a favorite among Nutmeg State equestrians. Connecticut Horse Council (CHC) members have permanently marked five loops in two parcels of the forest, with approximately 20 miles of marked trails for equestrians.

Shenipsit is primarily a red oak forest. Before the state owned the land, it was cleared for charcoal production. Clear-cutting, as well as fire, allowed the oaks to come back in abundance.

The highest point in Shenipsit is Soapstone Mountain at 1,075 feet. The road up to Soapstone Mountain is paved, making it accessible to those who can’t hike.

Soapstone Mountain was the original part of Shenipsit State Forest purchased by the state in 1927, with other parcels added later. The land was purchased to build a fire tower to watch the surrounding forestland.

Views from the peak of Soapstone Mountain reach the Connecticut River Valley, Massachusetts — including the Springfield skyline, and New Hampshire. The fire tower has since been replaced by an observation tower.

The tower is currently closed while renovations are completed.

As with many properties managed

by DEEP, infrastructure in Shenipsit State Forest was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Shenipsit is unique in that the last remaining CCC bunkhouse is still standing and operates as a statewide CCC museum. The museum is located on Route 190 in Stafford, and open Sundays through Labor Day weekend.

Access and Resources The main entrance for Shenipsit is in Somers, on 360 Gulf Road, off of Route 190. There are no parking fees and the gravel parking lot at Soapstone Mountain is the best option for horse 20

May/June 2017

tion. Plan to arrive early and park your horse trailer strategically so it doesn’t get blocked in.

“Be aware that the trails are very popular. You’re going to see a lot of people,” says Ann Moses of Somers, the CHC volunteer horse patrol coordinator for Shenipsit. “Remember that trail etiquette and sharing the trail are very important here.”

There were a lot of other trail users, including dogs, when I rode out one sunny Sunday afternoon in March.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all of the dogs were leashed.

Maps are not available at the parking area, but you can download them from ct.gov/deep/shenipsit. The hiking map will give you a good overview of Shenipsit State Forest, and the CHC maps detail Soapstone Loops A, B, and C, and Bald Mountain Loops A and B. The CHC loops are interconnected (both Bald Mountain and Soapstone) to create a longer ride. The separate, highlighted trail maps for Bald Mountain and Soapstone are clearly marked.

Blue blaze trails in Shenipsit State Forest are for foot travel only, except for a short distance where the multi-use trail and blue blaze trail intersect near the parking area. CHC recommends multi-use trails.

Join the Club Reddington Rock Riding Club (RRRC), formed in 1962, owns 18-acre Camp Glazier on Handel Road in Stafford.

The camp borders Shenipsit State Forest and club members can park at the camp anytime to go riding, connecting to Shenipsit via the club’s private trails to Sodom Road (within the State Forest).

“There are thirty-two campsites at RRRC,” says RRRC member Sue Taricani of Stafford Springs. “Club members assist with trail maintenance. Anyone can join RRRC; they don’t need to live in the area.” Sue also serves on the CHC Volunteer Horse Patrol in Shenipsit.

Out Riding It “The part I really like is that there’s a good variety of trails at Shenipsit — beginner level trails or other trails where you’re doing serious riding and climbing,” says Ann. “There’s something for all ability levels and you can ride for four to five hours.”

Riding the forest in the late fall, winter, and early spring provides expansive views through the trees and allows the sun to warm the trails. As I meandered down a trail, I noticed hearty young trees sprouting out of rock outcrops that dominate the landscape.

Soapstone Road is paved up to the picnic area near the summit of the mountain. Standing at the picnic area just shy of the peak of Soapstone Mountain, I catch views off in the distance, including what appears to be an apple orchard on the far hillside.

The CHC Soapstone Loops B and C travel on the paved road for a short distance before veering off to the left and into the woods. Yellow squares mark the trees on Loop B as I make my way off of Soapstone Road and onto the trail. The

loops finish on a short stretch of blue blaze trail back at the parking lot.

Gulf Road is a busy street; use caution crossing to Sodom Road to continue your ride on Loop A. Sodom Road is marked with white blazes. “You can ride from Soapstone to Bald Mountain via Sodom Road and riding along Route 190, but you need a traffic safe horse,” Ann says.

“There isn’t a parking area suitable for horse trailers for Bald Mountain,” Ann says, “and the [Bald Mountain] trails are more challenging. No matter where you ride in Shenipsit, you’ll need shoes or hoof boots. Much of the forest is located on shale and rocks are abundant.”

Ashford

This Olde Horse

A Longer Ride In Somers, several different organizations manage open space, including the Northern Connecticut Land Trust, the town of Somers, and the DEEP. Northern Connecticut Land Trust owns Whitaker Woods, which has 266 acres of pasture and forestland in northern Somers.

Ann also serves as chairperson of the Somers Open Space and Trails Committee. The group received a Connecticut Recreational Trails Program Grant to connect Whitaker Woods to Shenipsit State Forest via Shenipsit’s North-South Forest View Trail.

“It’s a steep trail. You go down Soapstone Mountain on the north side and into Whitaker Woods and it’s a great option to extend your ride,” says Ann. Parking for one trailer is available on Wells Road in Somers for those who would prefer to only ride Whitaker Woods and the North-South Trail. Wells Road can be accessed from Gulf Road or Route 190.

“We’re trying to provide as many interconnected properties as possible,” says Ann. “The RRRC has adopted the North-South Trail; we’re providing maintenance, keeping it clear, and building horse-safe bridges in August.”

Deep in the quiet woods of Somers, Stafford, and Ellington, volunteers and organizations are diligently working to preserve open space and create trails for all trail users to enjoy. With miles of new trails to explore, I know Nutmeg equestrians will have happy trails!

Boy Scout Camp Outlook in Ashford 1910.

Have a photo for This Olde Horse? Email

editor@connhorse.com.

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

Connecticut Horse

21

Above the Bar

by Sean T. Hogan, Esq.

Is the Waiver Enforceable?

In Connecticut the Answer Is, Maybe

This article is for educational purposes only, so as to give the reader a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. No attorney-client relationship exists between the reader and the author of this article. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.

R

istockphoto

iding instructors, trainers, and barn operators often rely upon Connecticut’s equine liability statute by having a rider execute a waiver to absolve them from liability. However, as a result of a series of cases decided in Connecticut courts there appears to be a poor chance of the enforceability of most waivers in Connecticut. It’s this attorney’s opinion that trainers and riding facilities should still have riders execute a waiver. Further, both riding facilities, trainers, and riders need to be aware of what their exposure is when asking participants to complete a waiver.

Connecticut’s equine liability statute states that “a person engaged in recreational equestrian activities shall assume the risk and legal responsibility for any injury to his person or property arising out of the hazards inherent in equestrian sports, unless the injury was proximately caused by the negligence of the person providing the horse or horses to the individual engaged in recreational equestrian activities or the failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity by the person providing the horse or horses or his agents or employees.” Conn. Gen. Stat. §52-557p.

When reviewing this statute, one should be cognizant of two key points to the statute. The first point is who is considered “a person engaged in recreational activities,” and the second is the exception to the statute for negligence.

A horse show organizer was sued in Reilly v. Leasure, 2011 WL 3427213 (Conn. Super. Ct. 2011), when the plaintiff, a groom, sued for personal injuries suffered when she was kicked by a horse at the horse show organized by the defendant. The defendant

moved to have the case dismissed based upon Connecticut’s equine liability statute. The court granted summary judgment (A summary judgment is based upon a motion by one of the parties that contends that all necessary factual issues are settled or so one-sided they need not be tried.) in favor of the defendant, noting that the plaintiff was “engaged in a recreational equine activ-

22

May/June 2017

ity.” Further, the court reviewed the legislative history of the statute and reasoned that the statute covered not only injuries suffered from riding, but could be extended to any injury incurred by an individual placing themselves in close proximity to a horse.

Although we’ve seen that the equine liability statute can be used to protect facilities and that it can be extended to include protection of riders or anyone placing themselves in proximity to horses, the statute doesn’t protect equine service providers from causes of action based upon their negligence.

This principal was recently upheld in the matter of Sawczysyn v. Coyne, (No. CV146050490S, Superior Court of Connecticut, Hartford Judicial District,

2016). The plaintiff sued, claiming she suffered injuries as a result of being thrown from a horse provided by the defendants. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant was negligent in that she failed to pair the plaintiff with a horse commensurate with her ability and by providing her with a horse that was new to the defendant’s stable. The defendant moved for summary judgment based upon protection under Connecticut’s equine liability statute. The court ruled that summary judgment was not appropriate and that there was a legitimate question as to a material fact— whether the defendant breached her duty to the plaintiff by providing the horse.

As pure reliance on the equine liability statute is not always an option, trainers and facility operators must be sure to have a well-prepared waiver.

Even then, a waiver may not be protected from liability.

In Reardon v. Windswept Farm, LLC, 905 A.2d. 1156 (Conn. 2006), a rider sued a stable for negligence, and the defendant stable moved to have the case dismissed based upon the waiver that the plaintiff signed. Initially, the trial court dismissed the case in favor of the defendant. However, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned, holding that a waiver that releases claims of potential negligence violates public policy. The court noted that it would be “illogical to relieve the defendant as the party with greater expertise and information concerning the dangers associated with horseback riding at their facility from potential claims of negligence surrounding an alleged failure to properly administer the activity.” Reardon, supra.

In Reardon, the court put forward eight factors that could be applied to determine if a waiver was against public policy: 1. Was the public invited to the facility regardless of their ability?

2. Are participants under the care of the facility as a result of paying a fee?

3. Does the facility have superior knowledge of the facility, maintenance, staff, and equipment?

4. Is the entity better situated to insure against the loss than the patron?

5. Would a waiver remove the incentive of the facility to use reasonable care?

6. Was the waiver an adhesion contract, meaning if it was not signed the patron could not participate?

7. Does the facility have a superior bargaining positioning?

8. Is the activity or business suitable to public regulation?

As a result of Reardon, what are instructors, trainers, and stables to do?

Equine facility operations must pay careful attention to risk management and ensure that their waiver is crafted to be compliant with both Connecticut law and case law. Many farms use form waivers from books or waivers that are

passed from trainer to trainer; however, this is ill-advised because these waivers tend to be overly broad and general as they try to fit every state.

A good first step is for stable owners to contact their insurance carrier to see if the carrier has a waiver that is acceptable.

Second, stable owners should review their waiver with their attorney.

A separate stand-alone document, clearly written, that outlines the nature of the activity and itemizes the dangers that a participant may encounter should be included.

Further, if a facility attempts to waive claims of negligence, the term negligence must be included in the waiver.

Finally, as many of the participants in equestrian sports are minors, it’s recommended that both the child and the parent or guardian read and sign the waiver. See Saccente v. LaFlame, 2003 WL 21716586 (Conn. Super. Ct. 2003), where the court upheld a release signed by the minor rider’s parent releasing the defendant stable from a claim of negligence.

What does this mean for facilities, trainers, and recreational riders?

Facilities, equestrian service providers, and trainers should be aware that their waiver may not be enforceable. Further, due to a trainer’s or a facility’s experience and knowledge in the equestrian sports as compared to the individual seeking instruction, the trainers and the facility will most likely not be able to release themselves from causes of action based upon negligence via a waiver.

Similarly, the rider or participant should know that even if they sign a waiver they retain certain rights, and that a signed waiver is not necessarily a complete prohibition for them to maintain a cause of action should they suffer an injury.

Sean T. Hogan is an attorney living in Westport and is licensed in New York and Connecticut, where his practice focuses on estate planning and assisting trainers, owners, and investors in equine-related transactions and litigation in Connecticut, New York, and before the United States Equestrian Federation. He’s a governor of the Fairfield County Hunt Club and co-chairs the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show.

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Overherd

News in Our Community the organization it is today.

At the young age of 18, when most teenagers were out having fun, Patty was setting up a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, H.O.R.S.E. (Humane

New Head Trainer at the Ethel Walker School

Making a Difference When Patty Wahlers, president of H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, first started rescuing horses in 1979, she had no idea it would evolve into 24

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In April, Shachine Belle joined the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury as the new head trainer.

Kathy Diemer

Shachine Belle joined the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury as head trainer in early April.

Shachine is an awardwinning rider and trainer and an accomplished horsewoman who has been earning awards and accolades since she began riding at a very young age. She earned a perfect score of 100 at the Capital Challenge Horse Show where she rode In Disguise. Shachine has been the Grand Circuit Champion at Wellington (2002–2005) and at many of the country’s best horse shows including Devon, HITS Ocala, Saugerties, Vermont Summer Festival, Washington International, Harrisburg National, and the National Horse Show. She is a 1995 graduate of St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Principal of Belle Equestrian, Shachine has been working with student riders since 1995 in hunter, jumper, and equitation. Each year, her students earn awards at the regional and national levels. Shachine was recognized as the best trainer at the 2016 New England Horsemen’s Council Finals.

Located in Simsbury at Folly Farm Show Stables, Belle Equestrian is a hunter/ jumper/equitation barn that specializes in personalized care of both the horses and riders.

keep her growing herd.

(H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut receives no local, state, or federal funding. All monies are raised through charitable contributions.)

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut brings a few horses to local assisted-living facilities where the residents can come out and pet, groom, or simply admire them.

Organization Representing Suffering Equines) of Connecticut, with the sole purpose of saving abused and unwanted horses. In order to fund this donation-only organization she worked a full-time job and bartered for the use of vacant pastures to

Flash forward to 2017 and you’ll find an organization that has helped more than 700 horses and ponies, as well as dogs, cats, and chickens. But H.O.R.S.E.’s focus isn’t only on rescuing the animals. Patty decided early on to invest as much

time as possible educating the public about horse care.

She speaks at dozens of venues and schools throughout Connecticut and offers clinics at the farm several times each year. The clinics are open to the public, and local veterinarians, farriers, equine dentists, trainers, and chiropractors donate their time to present valuable information.

Patty is always thinking about ways to prevent animal neglect and understands that education is an important step to accomplish this mission. H.O.R.S.E. also inspires people to love and care for animals through the many events held throughout the year. The facility is open to the public year-round through events such as the Open House, Volunteer Day, horse shows, and Kid’s Day. These events are opportunities to for H.O.R.S.E volunteers to share their passion for these incredible animals while inspiring others. Most of these events allow visitors to meet the horses and see how the farm operates.

Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping the farm running smoothly, and H.O.R.S.E. is very fortunate to have a wonderful group of dependable, loving people that have been coming to the farm for decades. They help with public relations and mailings, fixing fences, and grooming and hand walking the horses. There’s no limit to the tasks available for those interested in helping out at the farm.

One of the most fulfilling parts of volunteering is witnessing the evolution as people grow more knowledgeable and comfortable around horses. Over the years a number of volunteers

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(BRV) Show Sunday, April 9. An enthusiastic group of spectators, families, and friends gathered on the grass-covered hillside in lawn chairs and on picnic benches while reveling in the brilliant sunshine, accompanied by gentle, warm breezes. All were there to encourage, support, and cheer on the horse and rider teams as they competed throughout the morning and afternoon.

The well-organized and attended event featured a multitude of classes ranging from Lead Line for the youngest and newest equestrians, to the 2'6" Medal classes for the more experienced and seasoned riders looking to challenge themselves through the colorful and skillfully designed course configured by show manager Naomi Gauruder.

Richard Luckhardt officiated as judge, Ken Okken served as ring steward, and Gary Gauruder kept things running smoothly as the show secretary.

Dawn-Marie Jacobson Looney and Stephen Looney, owners of Fair Hill Farm, hosted the event that was highlighted by gracious hospitality, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and enjoyment for everyone involved.

n Sally L. Feuerberg

have fallen in love with a particular horse and adopted it, while others have renewed their love of riding through H.O.R.S.E’s lease program. It’s incredibly heartwarming to see a young volunteer, some who started as young as age five (under adult supervision), turn her love of horses into a career in horsemanship, veterinary care, nursing, or physical therapy.

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has also taken a great interest in utilizing horses to help the elderly, especially those who live in a facility away from their family. A few horses are trailered to local assisted-living facilities where the residents can come out and pet, groom, or simply admire the horses.

The interaction between the horses and the people, many of whom don’t ordinarily like to communicate, is incredibly inspiring. The horses can move people to open up and tell stories of horse ownership and other memories. The residents’ eyes light up and smiles brighten their faces as they remember a special time in their lives.

By sharing horses and all their glorious wonder with the public, H.O.R.S.E is creating joyful situations and opportunities not only to help prevent neglect and abuse but to raise awareness of how much horses impact our lives in such a positive way.

n Kathy Diemer

Blue Ribbon Ventures Horse Show You couldn’t ask for a more perfect day for a horse show! Fair Hill Farm in Easton looked spectacular and well-prepared to host the CHSA-, NEHC-, CHJA-, and M & S–rated Blue Ribbon Ventures

Lock, Stock, and Barrel Offers Demos and Clinic More than 30 vendors will be at Lock, Stock, and Barrel in Bethany providing samples and giving demonstrations on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors include Big Green Egg, Blue Seal, Emerald Valley, Ferris Mowers, Horseware Ireland, Kioti, New Country Organics, Merrick, Nutrasource, Tuffy, Stihl, Toro, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association. There will be free food from Old World Pizza Truck, and Taco Loco! Country WWYZ’s Wendy will be there from 10 a.m. to noon and WPLR’s Pam will be there from 1 to 3 p.m.

On Saturday, May 20, from noon to 3 p.m. Rachel Fleury of Alchemy Equine Horsemanship and Mustang mare Dixie will be promoting the iconic American Mustang in an informative liberty demonstration. Dixie will display the versatility and trainability of the living legends of the West. There will also be an opportunity to meet Dixie and Rachel, and ask questions. Rachel placed in the top 10 at the 2015 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Massachusetts and Dixie is a doublebranded Mustang.

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A Dale Myler Bitting Clinic will be held Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dale and his brothers Ron and Bob are third generation horsemen and are three of the world’s leading bit designers. Dale’s extensive research into equine dentistry and physiology has evolved our understanding of not only the mechanics of bits but also how they can contribute to the communication between horse and rider. The unique designs of Myler bits focus on mentally relaxing horses so the rider can achieve more effective communication. Known for his kind and thoughtful approach, Dale is motivated by a genuine desire to improve the relationship between horse and rider.

Lock, Stock, and Barrel has arranged for Dale to actually bit your horse. Dale has traveled all over the world to bit horses at every level and in every discipline from dressage to reining,

hunters to cutters, saddle seat to barrel racers. Space is limited for this are opportunity to receive guidance from a world renown expert. If you’re interested in bringing your horse to Lock, Stock, and Barrel, email info@lsbfarmsupply.com with the subject Myler Clinic or call (203) 393-0002.

To learn more, visit lsbfarmsupply.com.

Ebony Horsewomen’s Spring Festival Ebony Horsewomen’s Spring Festival offers a full day of food, fun, exhibits, horsemanship, and entertainment on Saturday June 10, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian and Agricultural Center located in Hartford’s historic Keney Park. Part horse show, part arts and crafts festival, part celebration, Ebony Horsewomen’s twelfth annual Spring Festival promises a good time for the whole community. With face

connecticut Horse youth Awards

Request a free award for your competition at connhorse.com and click on community.

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painting, a petting zoo, a variety of craft and food vendors, and the Wilbur J. Talley Memorial Schooling Horse Show throughout the day, there will be plenty of familyfriendly entertainment.

Horse show divisions include Lead Line, Walk Trot, English, and Western with pleasure and equitation classes featured as well as special pleasure stakes classes.

Join Ebony Horsewomen in welcoming the spring and summer this year and find out more about the organization. Admission is free and all net proceeds help provide camperships for urban youth to attend summer camp.

To learn more, visit ebonyhorsewomen.us.

Art With A Heart ‘Art With A Heart’ held a Spring Art Show Opening Reception at the Avance Day Spa Art Gallery in Newtown, on Sunday, March 19.

Nature’s Glory, a collection of photographs by Bill Glass and Equine Splendor, a collection of oils by Jeanne Eleck, were featured at the gala that served champagne, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and offered dessert stations to the many art enthusiasts and horse aficionados attending the event. The exhibition will run through May 7.

The event was organized and hosted by Avance Day Spa owner Melanie Allen and curator Rosemary Rau, who’ve collaborated on previous art gallery shows that also serve as fundraising efforts. Donations and a portion of all spa and artwork sales that day benefited the Embrace Hope Sandy Hook Equine Assisted Therapy, a program based at Zoar Ridge Stables in Sandy Hook.

Embrace Hope is a foundation that works with mental health professionals, equine specialists, and horses to provide therapy for children.

Photo artist Bill Glass’s images capture the exact instant when the perfect

light and the most vivid of colors meet to embrace that once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Among the many various subjects that adorned the gallery walls were spectacular sunsets with skies filled with rich violet and deep redorange hues, as well as vibrant and resplendent floral compositions.

Jeanne Eleck’s paintings were from her series Blue Rock and Spiral Rock. “The paintings are an ode to our ancient ancestors who so skillfully depicted the beauty of animals on cave walls,” she says. “It was thought that the cave paintings were a place for sacred rituals. The spiral paintings were influenced by the spirals that have been graven on ancient rock, one of the first complex symbols to be carved into stone.”

“I focus on the light that falls on the animal’s shiny coat as they move,” Jeanne says. “I try to show movement, not by the horse’s legs, but by the position of the body of the horse, and wind blowing in its mane.” Twelve of her exquisite paintings were showcased at the event.

To learn more, contact Rosemary Rau at gallerynewtown@gmail.com.

n Sally L. Feuerberg

McKayla Langmeier Wins George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Sixteen-year-old McKayla Langmeier, of East Granby, won the tenth annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation class riding nine-year-old Calberon B on March 24 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. McKayla trains at family-owned Kelianda Farm and won the 2015 ASPCA Maclay National Championship.

The tenth annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship was held in three rounds with 39 riders competing in round one. The top 15

returned for round two and the top four were called back for further testing to determine the final placings.

Two panels of judges and a schooling judge graded riders in the warm up area. Panel one consisted of Anne Kursinski and Ralph Caristo, with Frank Madden and Bobby Braswell in panel two, and Eric Straus as schooling judge. Unique to this event is that riders are solely responsible for walking the courses, schooling, and preparing themselves and their mounts all on their own. Communication with trainers is prohibited and each rider is required to turn in their cell phones prior to the start of competition.

Riders receive a schooling score after both the first and second rounds of schooling ranging from -2 to +2 points.

The schooling score, which is based on time management, efficiency, and any questionable practices or procedures from the riders, is added to the combined total of the two panel scores and divided by two to determine the round average.

McKayla, who finished second in the class last year, was sitting in second place going into the final test, but after flawlessly answering all of the test’s questions, she moved up to win the blue ribbon.

“I wasn’t expecting to win because I thought I was coming in second,” says McKayla. “[Calberon B] is a newer mount for me and new to the equitation so I thought he handled the atmosphere here fantastic.

He’s been doing the jumpers, but I’ve been doing him in the equitation since the start of the year.”

Another rider from Connecticut, Coco Fath of Fairfield, brought home fourth place riding Class Action owned by Hillside Farm. Congratulations, McKayla and Coco!

Sara Vanecek Clinic Sara Vanecek, of Centerline Stables in Ossining, New York, and Kirsten Gray, owner of Sonnenhof Equestrian Center at Gray Friesian Farm in Easton, are both in agreement when it comes to helping equestrians, using their extensive backgrounds of training and teaching with all ages and levels of riders. On Saturday, March 4, a special emphasis was placed on reaching out to the next generation of horse handlers with a Groundwork Techniques, Handling, and Problem Solving Clinic presented by Sara and hosted by Kirsten.

Equestrians as young as 4 years old participated in this event.

The exceptionally brisk and blustery morning began with Joan McMahon, owner of Back of the Moon Farm in Southport, arriving with her charmingly inquisitive Miniature horses, Dash, Tyson, and Raven, to assist in the clinic.

“This allows Sara to have the children work with ageand size-appropriate horses,” says Kirsten. “We’re grateful to Joan as this adds a wonderful layer of possibilities to our clinic.”

Each child accompanied their assigned mini, or, in 11year-old Hannah-Sophia Grant’s case, Gray Friesian Farm’s Paint mare Fantom, through an obstacle course that included umbrellas, balloons, a wagon, and an oversized soccer ball.

Sara’s enthusiasm was contagious as she worked with each young handler, quietly demonstrating the techniques and methods that she has applied throughout her career. Her clear instruction ensured that the horses and their handlers responded and connected during the playful but educational groundwork.

A long-line presentation started the afternoon section of the clinic with Sara work-

ing with Kirsten’s six-year-old Andalusian mare Ravenna.

Equipment, including proper fitting and placement, was demonstrated and discussed. The beautiful mare mesmerized the crowd with her elegant and graceful movement as Sara put her through her paces.

“Each student in this clinic walked away with a new piece of knowledge in a very positive atmosphere,” says Kirsten. “It may have been learning to read the horse better, their own body awareness, or even about timing of an aid. Sara's positivity emulates our goals of the learning environment we pride ourselves in — positive, with the horse’s well-being first and foremost.”

To learn more, visit grayfriesianfarm.webs.com.

n Sally L. Feuerberg

Spring Draft Horse Clinic Are you interested in learning about draft horses? The Northwest Connecticut Draft

Horse Association is holding its third annual Spring Draft Horse Clinic on Saturday, June 10, rain or shine. The clinic begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. at Smith Stables in Bethlehem. Brian and Stacie Lynch of Utopia Percherons in Goshen will be the instructors. Topics will primarily focus on hands-on harnessing, unharnessing, and ground driving. And, new this year, riding a draft horse! Come with questions and let Brian and Stacie know what you want to learn.

To learn more, contact Lori at (860) 480-8841 or carlsonljba@yahoo.com.

Overherdisms • “You have to ride both directions” • “A horse is like a truck — steering up front and power from behind.”

• “Wait! Don’t go over there, she’s changing in that stall!”

• “These breeches fit before I ate all those doughnuts.”

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Partners the 2018 Winter Intensive Training Program in Wellington, Florida.

The club had a special recognition ceremony for Lisa Cocco, our retiring treasurer. Lisa has served as treasurer for 17 years and has provided countless hours

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 photographs; and a link from connhorse.com to its website.

Interested? To learn more, email partners@connhorse.com.

tirelessly on behalf of the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show and she’s a familiar sight to all of our exhibitors, volunteering her time at the in-gate of the show ring every year. She and her family have owned and raised Morgan horses for 53 years.

Connecticut Renegades Cowboy Mounted Shooting

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Lauren Santoro

Connecticut Morgan Horse Association

Connecticut Morgan Horse Association Person of the Year Anita Hoynoski with Kris Pollock and Stacey Stearns at the March annual meeting.

Jeanne Lewis Images

CMHA held its annual awards banquet on Saturday, March 4 at the Baci Grill in Cromwell. More than 60 members and guests attended as we recognized our 2016 year-end award winners, as well as special achievements by our members.

During the annual meeting we elected four new members to our board of directors. Welcome Bess Connolly-Martell, Kris Pollock, Elisa Santee, and Kaitlyn Stachowiak. The board sincerely thanks Lisa Cocco and Dale Thompson, who both previously announced their retirement from the board, for their service. Elisa Santee of Mansfield Center was elected club treasurer and Kristina Vine was reelected as secretary.

CMHA awards special recognitions at the banquet each year. Faith Hoynoski of Windsor Locks received the Eileen Hunter Youth Scholarship. She’ll be majoring in pre-veterinary studies this fall after her June graduation from Suffield High School.

Anneliese Woods of Coventry received the Sue Brander Sport Horse Scholarship. She and her Morgan mare, Windfield Fairy Dust, are part of Lendon Gray’s Emerging Dressage Athlete Program.

Anneliese’s goal is to attend

Springfield, Massachusetts.

The club will also be hosting two trail rides and an educational clinic this year. To learn more, visit ctmorgans.org and follow us on Facebook.

7 Stacey Stearns

Connecticut Renegades member Alan Green riding Levi.

of service, historical knowledge of club activities, and friendship to members of the board and our club.

The CMHA Person of the Year was Anita Hoynoski, our club vice-president.

Anita and her family work

We thank all of our club members for their support over the past year. CMHA looks forward to seeing many of you at the Connecticut Morgan Open Horse Show June 7 to 10 at the Eastern States Exposition in West

The Connecticut Renegades will hold its first competition of the season on Saturday, May 20, at the Old Bethany Airport, in Bethany. This match will be a great warmup for the two-day Border Wars event scheduled at the airport for Memorial Day weekend. The Borders Wars is a competition between the Connecticut Renegades and the Northeast Six Shooters clubs, and goes back to 2007 when the clubs would battle for bragging rights and the coveted Border Wars flag.

These friendly rivals will compete on May 27 and 28.

The club that earns the most points over the two days will claim victory. Saturday night will include a potluck dinner, a bonfire, and camping for those who wish to stay the night.

If you’ve never seen this sport before, we encourage you to join us and see what it’s all about. You’ll learn quickly why these riders can’t get enough of this fast-action timed event. They’ll be using two .45 caliber single-action revolvers loaded with five rounds of blank ammunition designed specifically for shooting balloon targets.

Rider’s scores are based on both speed and accuracy. To boost everyone’s club spirit and celebrate Memorial Day weekend, the Renegades will wear red all weekend while the Six Shooters will wear blue.

For those who don’t ride but would like to get involved, we welcome you as well.

There are many ways to par-

Connecticut Trail Rides Association I just got home from Camp Boardman’s opening and clean-up day. Some new members and some longtime members came to help clear the grounds. There were so many heavy, wet leaves, especially up at the top barn area. On behalf of our club, I want to thank all who turned out to help get the camp in shape.

On April 2, Cathy Clouse and Christel Maturo hosted a breakfast ride at Wadsworth Mansion State Park. The weather was wonderful and the falls were intense from the storms that had passed through the days before.

I would like to let everyone know that a horse in New Jersey developed highly infectious equine herpes myeloencephalopathy. It’s the often deadly neurologic form of the equine herpes virus infection, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Although the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, it can certainly help your horse if exposed to the disease. We camp and trail ride with so many horses, and we expose our horses to so much. Vaccinating your horse against common diseases provides some security for your horse and others.

Please check with your veterinarian to see which ones are best for your situation.

June 4 is our ride at Natchaug Forest, and will originate from Lost Silvermine Horse Camp. The Connecticut Horse Council Volunteer Horse Patrol has made many improvements at the camp. Lost Silvermine is open to the public, has toilets, a mounting ramp, picnic tables, and six drive-through sites for larger rigs and campers.

On June 17, we’ll be having a camping event at Sunrise Resort at Machimoodus the night before the Poker Ride.

Member Ginger Tullai is also a member of the Friends of Machimoodus. Ginger was instrumental in obtaining all the necessary permissions and permits to hold the camping event. Thank you, Ginger.

Granby Horse Council GHC’s fundraising Flea Market held in April was a huge success despite nature’s silly April Fool’s joke. The snowy weather didn’t deter the many vendors from coming out with their merchandise or the onslaught of shoppers, young and old, from venturing out to support the GHC’s event. The incredible dedication of

Connecticut Trail Rides Association members Janet Sampieri and Jean Cassella at the Wadsworth Falls Ride.

March meeting’s program was about therapy dogs.

Members Karyn Cordner and Sally King introduced their therapy dogs, Raven, a black, long-haired German shepherd, and James, a red tri-Australian shepherd.

Karyn gave an informative presentation about the evaluation process and role as therapy dogs. The dogs are chosen for their solid temperaments and ability to accept and give affection to those they come into contact with. Both Raven and James work with school children on a regular basis and are weekly visitors to the skilled care, assisted living, and memory units at a local retirement community. They enjoy exam-time stress relief sessions at Granby High School and frequently visit the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Exciting rides and events are yet to come — the Blessing of the Mounts ride at Holcomb Farm, the annual participation in Granby’s Memorial Day Parade, an Equine Obstacle Play Day, and many more.

GHC holds monthly meetings every third Wednesday evening of the month. New members are always welcome. To learn more, visit granbyhorsecouncilct.com, follow us on Facebook (Granby [CT] Horse Council), or call club president Joan Davis, at (860) 653-6805.

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Middlebury Bridle Land Association Joan Davis

ticipate as a club member.

We hope you’ll join us!

To learn more, visit ctrenegades.com.

7 Allison Forsyth

Granby Horse Council members Karyn Cordner and Sally King introduced their therapy dogs, Raven and James at the March meeting.

To learn more about events and membership, visit cttrailridesassoc.org.

Happy Trails to all!

7 Patti Crowther

GHC members was evident in the weeks leading up to and throughout the entire day of the event.

GHC supports a variety of animal endeavors. The

The MBLA held its annual Membership Dinner on Friday, April 7. The large turnout of members delighted in the opportunity to catch up with old friends and share stories of winter escapades and adventures while enjoying a savory and abundant buffet at Jesse Camille’s Restaurant in Naugatuck.

Opening remarks by Connecticut Horse

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Southern New England Horsemen’s Association The Southern New England Horsemen’s Association, fondly known as SNEHA

friendly organization, with a class schedule that appeals to a variety of riding styles and skills from Lead Line for the little ones to, Walk Trot classes for 55 and older (new

Paige Griffin

MBLA president Sally Feuerberg included welcoming Marian Larkin, who, along with her most gracious family, have granted members of the MBLA the privilege to ride some of the most breathtaking private trails in Connecticut.

Sylvia Preston, MBLA’s vice president, gave an update on the state of the trail system, which will need attention due to winter’s snow and rain damage. Sylvia also advised that the utility company is presently working in many of the areas where the trail systems are located. She will be coordinating with the utility company and discussing repair, maintenance, and recovery issues to help restore the trails to optimum conditions for riding. Sylvia will keep the club updated via email or the club’s Facebook page.

The MBLA has cancelled the spring ride this year due to the aforementioned conditions, timing, and the utility company’s ongoing work.

Possible ideas for upcoming spring and summer activities, such as an equine massage clinic and a leather care and repair seminar, were discussed. A questionnaire will be mailed to members asking for additional suggestions and feedback.

The comment portion of the meeting ended with a reminder to the members to pick up their saddle tags, membership forms, and the ever-important collection of fees, which was handled by Sylvia, MBLA treasurers Debbie Carlson, and Patti Crowther.

The rest of the relaxing evening continued long into the night with great food, great friends, and the anticipation of new season full of long rides and great weather for months to come.

To learn more, visit middleburybridle.org.

Southern New England Horsemen’s Association member Jennifer Rudtke with IHA Royal Poker Chip.

Tanheath Hunt Club member Deb Pollard at the 2016 Spring Hunter Pace.

(pronounced snee-ha) is hosting six open horse shows for the 2017 season. All shows are held at the beautiful Falls Creek Farm in Oneco. Falls Creek Farm boasts an indoor arena where all classes are held rain or shine. Mark your calendars for May 7, May 21, June 4, June 25, July 9, and August 6!

Many of our participants trailer their horses up the night before, enjoying the camping facilities and potluck suppers held every Saturday evening. SNEHA prides itself on being a family-

this year). We’re also a pinto and Paint approved show.

To learn more, go to snehassociation.com where you’ll find show dates, class lists, and contact information for the shows.

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Tanheath Hunt Club The Tanheath Hunt Club is gearing up for a busy season.

Our first event will be our Spring Hunter Pace and Pleasure Ride on Sunday, May 14. The first ride out is at 9 a.m. and last ride out is at noon. The venue is the Douglas State Forest in

Douglas, Massachusetts. We have five divisions: Jumping for those who intend to jump all the fences and travel at a safe hunting pace; Senior Hilltopping for those who intend to pick and choose fences and travel at a moderate pace; Junior Hilltoppping for those teams that have at least one rider under the age of 18 and intend to pick and choose fences; Trail Blazer for those who intend to pick and choose fences and travel at a relaxed pace (this division is designed for the novice horse and/or rider.); and Pleasure Ride for those who prefer not to compete, be timed, or be awarded ribbons.

The Tanheath Hunt Club Summer Hunter Pace and Pleasure Ride will be held at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret on Sunday, June 18, with the same ride-out times and divisions as the spring pace.

The club continues to grow as we welcome 16 new members to our group. With so many junior members we’ve decided to create the position of junior representative. This position will coordinate the activities of the juniors within the club. A variety of activities will be planned for the juniors in addition to regular hunt club activities. Fiona Lorenzen has accepted the position of Junior Representative.

Thank you, Fiona for taking this position.

We’ve a new hound named Elsa. She comes from the Green Mountain Hunt in Vermont. She’s already shown that she has a keen nose, while hunting out from the kennel on Thursdays.

For more information, visit tanheathhunt.com and follow us on Facebook.

7 Raymond Hill

Nutmeg State Happenings 4-H Communication and Quiz Bowl Contests

To see more Nutmeg State Happenings, find us on Facebook.

Connecticut 4-H Programs The UConn 4-H Volunteer and Tean Leadership Forum will be June 10 at the UConn Social Work Building in West Hartford. There will be adult and teen tracks, breakout sessions, networking, and fun and informative classes. To learn more about Connecticut 4-H programs, visit 4-H.UConn.edu or call (888) FOUR-H-CT. Thank you to Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Emily Alger, Elida DeLuca, Trish Leonard, and Ellen Jamaitus for these wonderful photos!

Connecticut Horse

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Connecticut

Events May 14 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

5 MEDAL SHOW, Halcyon Equestrian, Litchfield. bhcmanagement.com.

6 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

7 SNEHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

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

6 GRTA DOGWOOD RIDE AND COUNTRY LUNCHEON, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

7 TIMMY KEES CLINIC, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

14 OPEN HORSE SHOW, Full Circle Farm, Manchester. fullcirclefarmct.com.

6 MUSIC AND WINE AT THE FARM, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

7 LEVEL ONE DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. centerlineevents.com.

14 CDCTA SCHOOLING SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. cdctaonline.com.

6 CROSS COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

13 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

20 TALLGRASS ACUPRESSURE CLINIC, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

6 CDA SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. ctdressage.com.

13 CROSS TOWN RIDE, Tyrone Farms, Pomfret. pomfrethorseandtrail.com.

20 MUSTANG MAKE OVER LIBERTY DEMO, Rachel Fleury of Alchemy Equestrian, Lock, Stock, and Barrel, Bethany. lsbfarmsupply.com

6 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING MEMBER PRACTICE, Bronco Billy’s, Granby. ctrenegades.com.

13 NBLA SPRING RIDE, Newtown. nblact.com.

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

6 BILLY SMITH HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC, KB Equine, Meriden. kbequinellc.com.

6 NEATO TRAIL RIDE, Cockaponset State Forest, Chester. orgsites.com/ct/neato.

6 CHSA/CHJA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian Center, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

7 DERBY BRUNCH PARTY, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

13 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

13 NCMT BENEFIT SHOW, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

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

13 LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL VENDOR EVENT, Bethany. More than 30 vendors on site with samples and demos including Blue Seal, Horseware Ireland, Kioti, and more! Free food from Old World Pizza Truck and Taco Loco. lsbfarmsupply.com.

20 WINDCREST FARM SHOW, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

20 OBSTACLE PRACTICE AND CHALLENGE, Happy Trails Farm, Danbury. (203) 778-6218.

20 NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSION, Manes and Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Middletown. hfsc.org/manes-motions.

20 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Salem. treasurehillfarm.com.

20 CVDC CLUB DRIVE, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown. cvdrivingclub.com.

20 – 21 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING MATCH, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

7 CTRA WHITE MEMORIAL RIDE, Litchfield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

13 EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY WORKSHOP, Ebony Horsewomen, Hartford. ebonyhorsewomen.us.

7 RANCH SORTING BUCKLE SERIES, Middlefield.facebook.com/triangleastablesllc.

13 FBTA SPRING LECTURE: The Compassionate Equestrian. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

20 – 26 HORSE SHOW DAYS, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

7 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

13 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT OPEN HOUSE, Washington. horseofct.org.

21 RANCH SORTING BUCKLE SERIES, Middlefield.facebook.com/triangleastablesllc.

13 CGA GYMKHANA, Smith Stables, Bethlehem. ctgymkhana.com.

21 SCHOOLING SHOW, Hayes Equestrian Center, Plantsville. hayesequestrian.com.

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

13 – 14 NEPTHA FOUR-JUDGE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

21 CTRA SALMON RIVER RIDE, Colchester. cttrailridesassoc.org.

7 COMBINED TEST, Riga Meadow Equestrian Center, Salisbury. rigameadow.com.

14 RANCH SORTING BUCKLE SERIES, Middlefield.facebook.com/triangleastablesllc.

21 BRV HUNTER SHOW, Fair Hill Farm, Easton. bhcmanagement.com.

7 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

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

21 EQUIZEN RETREAT, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

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

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May/June 2017

21 OPEN DRIVING AND RIDING SCHOOLING SHOW, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

21 OPEN SCHOOLING SHOW, Ellington. decarliequestriancenter.com.

27 ANNUAL FUN DAY, KB Equine, Meriden. kbequinellc.com.

3 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

27 – 28 CHRIS IRWIN CLINIC, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

3 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

3 FW-PHA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

21 SNEHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

27 – 29 NEATO MEMORIAL WEEKEND CAMP OVER, Silver Mine Horse Camp, Natchaug State Forest, Eastford. orgsites.com/ct/neato.

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

28 RANCH SORTING BUCKLE SERIES, Middlefield.facebook.com/triangleastablesllc.

4 HORSE TRIALS, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

21 FAIRFIELD COUNTY 4-H SPRING BENEFIT SHOW, UConn Cooperative Extension Center, Bethel. fairfieldcounty4h.org or (203) 207-8440.

28 SWEETWATER FARM SHOW, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net.

4 RANCH SORTING BUCKLE SERIES, Middlefield.facebook.com/triangleastablesllc.

28 WESTERN AND ENGLISH DRESSAGE CLINIC, Cedar HIll Ranch, Durham. cedarhillranch.net.

4 FWPHA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. fwpha.com.

29 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

4 CTRA NATCHAUG FOREST RIDE, Eastford. cttrailridesassoc.org.

29 MEMORIAL DAY SHOW AND HUNTER DERBY, Oak Meadow Farm, East Windsor.

(860) 292-8578.

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

25 – 26 CQHA SPRING FLING SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

26 EQUESTRIAN MEDAL SHOW, Halcyon Equestrian, Litchfield. bhcmanagement.com.

26 – 29 CTRA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CAMPOUT, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

27 CHSA/CHJA RATED SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

27 HORSE TRIALS, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

27 OPEN BARN, Hidden Brook Stables, Lebanon. hiddenbrookstables.com.

4 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

4 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

June 2 FWPHA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. fwpha.com.

4 SNEHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

3 DALE MYLER BITTING CLINIC, Lock, Stock, and Barrel, Bethany. lsbfarmsupply.com

4 BETHANY HORSE SHOW, Bethany Airport Show Grounds, Bethany. CHSA-, NEHC-, CMHArated show. jaycyn195@aol.com

holistic Weekend of Learning Masterson Method Beyond horse Massage

Equi-taping

One-day Seminar with

Christine Taylor of BodyKneads Muscle Therapy June 25 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Doris Bouchard of Equissage June 24 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Masterson Method is an interactive method of body work in which you learn to recognize and use the responses of the horse to your touch. This technique will allow you to locate and release accumulated tension in the key junctions of the body that most affect performance. Areas to be covered will be the poll, neck, shoulder, and pelvis.

Doris is a licensed certified massage therapist, Masterson Method ceritified practitioner, certified Equissage instructor, and equine body worker.

Masterson Method limited to 8 participants

Half-day seminar with

Essential Oils Half-day seminar with

Christine Merkel June 25 9 a.m. to noon Learn about integrating Essential Oils into your horse’s health care program, the difference between essential oils and herbs, and the fundamental difference between the various oils available.

Christine will demonstrate a systematic method of layering certain oils for application in support of the immune system, balance of the nervous system, and parasite defense. Christine is a certified equine sports massage therapist and doTerra Wellness Advocate.

Kinesiology tape was invented more than 30 year ago by Dr. Kenzo Case.

Used on Olympic athletes to control pain and muscle dysfunction, tape is now being applied to our equine athletes to stabilize areas of the body having injury or dysfunction, enhance or inhibit muscle function, and stimulate acupoints and meridians. Taping acts via the nervous system responses.

Applications for specific horse problems will be taught. Christine is the founder of EquiNature, a licensed massage therapist, and equine physiotherapist.

For more information and an application, contact: equissage-ne-ny.com (click on hAPPENiNgS)

(860) 564-7759

equisportmt@sbcglobal.net (location will be Dancing Oaks Farm, Little Compton, RI) Connecticut Horse

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4 LEVEL ONE DRESSAGE SHOW, R Folly Farm, Morris. centerlineevents.com.

10 OPENING DAY POLO MATCH, Simsbury Polo Club, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

13 – 18 90TH OX RIDGE CHARITY HORSE SHOW, Darien. oxridge.com.

4 DRESSAGE SHOW, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

10 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

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

7 – 10 CONNECTICUT MORGAN OPEN HORSE SHOW, West Springfield. ctmorgans.org.

10 SPRING RIDE AND TAILGATE, Brett Woods and the Ridge. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

15 – 18 CQHA SUMMER SIZZLER SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

8 – 11 SHALLOWBROOK CHARITY HORSE SHOW, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

10 NWCDHA 3RD ANNUAL SPRING DRAFT HORSE CLINIC, Smith Stables, Bethlehem. northwestctdrafthorse.com.

17 BENEFIT MOUNTED GAMES RIDE, Lord Creek Farm, Lyme. Two or three rider teams complete a scenic ride on a marked course. lymetrailassociation.org.

9 – 11 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

9 – 10 DRESSAGE SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

10 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT ADOPTIVE HORSE SHOWING, Washington. horseofct.org.

10 MOON DANCE DINNER, DANCE, AND SILENT AUCTION, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, Old Lyme. highhopestr.org.

10 WILBUR J. TALLEY MEMORIAL HORSE SHOW, Ebony Horsewomen, Hartford. ebonyhorsewomen.us.

10 NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSION, Manes and Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Middletown. hfsc.org/manes-motions.

10 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

Schooling Horse Trials

10 SCHOOLING SHOW, Hidden Brook Stables, Lebanon. hiddenbrookstables.com.

North Bridge Equine Summer Jumper Series

Season end cash and prizes!

June 14 . June 21 . June 28 . July 12 July 19 . July 26 . Aug. 2 . Aug. 9 Aug. 16 . Aug. 23 . Aug. 30 . Sept 6

Prize lists and entry forms at:

17 SUMMER OPEN HOUSE, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

10 MEG BRAUCH STRAIGHTNESS TRAINING WORKSHOP, Narnia Stables, Ashford. narniastablesevents@gmail.com.

17 CGA GYMKHANA, Goshen Fairgrounds. ctgymkhana.com.

11 RANCH SORTING BUCKLE SERIES, Middlefield.facebook.com/triangleastablesllc.

18 CTRA POKER RIDE, Mashimoodus Park, Moodus. cttrailridesassoc.org.

11 CTRA HURD PARK RIDE, Middle Haddam. cttrailridesassoc.org.

18 OPEN HORSE SHOW, Full Circle Farm, Manchester. fullcirclefarmct.com.

11 96TH GREENWICH HORSE SHOW, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

18 DARYL KINNEY EVENTING CLINIC, Southbury. mountainvalleyequestriancenter.com.

11 FAIRY FESTIVAL, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

18 LTA MOUNTED GAMES RIDE, Lord Creek Farm, Lyme. lymetrailassociation.org.

25 Forest Lane, Millis, MA ~ (508) 376-2564

April 23

17 EQUINE NUTRITION TALK, Fox Horn Farm, Litchfield. Sherri at (860) 689-3530.

Hunter Paces

Miguel Anacoreta Clinic

May 21 - Spring Hop Hunter Pace October 22 - Halloween Hunter Pace

Christine at (781) 801-0406 or spanishdq@gmail.com

July 16

May 7 . June 4 . Aug. 13 . Oct. 1

NEDA Summer Dressage Show Schooling Horse Trials Championships August 20

July 8 – 12

Charles River Dressage Shows

Horses and Ponies For Sale/Lease Training with Adrienne Iorio

Three-Day Eventing Competitor and Trainer

appleknoll.com. Check the website often as new events are added!

The facilities at Apple Knoll Farm are available for rental for horse shows, clinics, and other equine activities.

Our cross-country course is open for schooling by appointment, weather permitting.

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May/June 2017

Connecticut Horse

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19 RENAISSANCE TRAIL RIDE AND FAIRE, West Granby. granbyhorsecouncilct.com.

30 – July 4 CTRA WEEKEND AT CAMP, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

6 – 9 SHORELINE II SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

18 SUMMER HUNTER PACE AND PLEASURE RIDE, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tanheathhunt.com.

July

8 FBTA SUMMER RIDE AND TAILGATE, Southport Trail Network. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

20 – 24 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

24 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

1 CROSS COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

1 POLO MATCH, Simsbury Polo Club, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

8 SCHOOLING SHOW, Hidden Brook Stables, Lebanon. hiddenbrookstables.com.

1 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

8 – 10 ANNA TWINNEY ANIMAL COMMUNICATION SEMINAR, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

24 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

1 ANNIVERSARY PARTY AND BARN DANCE, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

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

24 – 25 CHRIS IRWIN CLINIC, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

1 WINDCREST FARM SHOW, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

9 SNEHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

25 CHSA/CHJA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian Center, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

1 LAINEY ASHKER STADIUM JUMPING CLINIC, Salisbury. weatoguestables.com.

9 OPEN SCHOOLING SHOW, Ellington. decarliequestriancenter.com.

25 CTRA RORABECK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA RIDE, Harwinton. cttrailridesassoc.org.

2 LAINEY ASHKER CROSS COUNTRY CLINIC, Town Hill Farm, Lakeville. townhillfarm.com.

9 NBLA SHOW AND GO RIDE, Newtown. nblact.com.

25 SNEHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

2 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S DRESSAGE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

9 DRESSAGE SHOW, Five Oaks Equestrian Center, Tolland. fiveoaksequestrian.com.

25 SWEETWATER FARM SHOW, Clinton. sweetwaterct.net

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

9 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtrooop.org.

29 CHSA/CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

2 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

10 GHC EQUINE OBSTACLE PLAY DAY, Salmon Brook Park, Granby. granbyhorsecouncilct.com.

24 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

38 May/June 2017

15 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING SUMMER SIZZLER MATCH, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

22 – 23 USEF/USDF RECOGNIZED DRESSAGE SHOW, Carbery Fields Farm, Lebanon. centerlineevents.com.

15 – 16 NEPTHA FOUR-JUDGE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

23 CHSA/CHJA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian Center, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

12 NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSION, Manes and Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Middletown. hfsc.org/manes-motions.

16 PINES OPEN, Pines Farm, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com.

23 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

12 LEVEL ONE DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. centerlineevents.com.

16 CDCTA SCHOOLING SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. cdctaonline.com.

13 USPA TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL POLO GAME, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

16 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

14 – 15 DANIEL STEWART CLINIC, Oakendale Farm, Bristol.

19 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtrooop.org.

15 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

21 – 23 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

15 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT HORSE CARE CLINIC, Washington. horseofct.org.

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

29 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING MEMBER PRACTICE, Bronco Billy’s, Granby. ctrenegades.com.

15 USPA TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP POLO GAME, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

22 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Salem. treasurehillfarm.com.

29 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

15 CVDC DRIVING DERBY, Mitchell Farm, Salem. cvdrivingclub.com.

22 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

29 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

15 BAROQUE EQUESTRIAN GAMES (BEGI) NEW ENGLAND SHOW, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, Old Lyme. baroquegames.com.

22 POLO MATCH, Simsbury Polo Club, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

29 BILL LEVETT JUMPING CLINIC, Town Hill Farm, Lakeville. missyrmiller@me.com.

11 USPA TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL POLO GAME, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

11 – 15 SHORELINE II SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

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May/June 2017

23 FUN FASHION AT THE FARM, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

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

24 GHC STEEP ROCK RIDE, Washington Depot. granbyhorsecouncilct.com.

29 WINDCREST FARM SHOW, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

29 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT VOLUNTEER DAY, Washington. horseofct.org.

30 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING DEMONSTRATION, Goshen Fairgrounds. ctrenegades.com.

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

30 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S DRESSAGE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

We have your horse.

Always a nice selection of horses and ponies for sale.

Watch videos and view photos at HeritageFarmEasthampton.com.

31 GHC MOHAWK MOUNTAIN RIDE, West Goshen. Granby. granbyhorsecouncilct.com.

August 5 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING SHOWDOWN MATCH, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

5 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT ADOPTIVE HORSE SHOWING, Washington. horseofct.org.

5 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

5 POLO MATCH, Simsbury Polo Club, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

5 SCHOOLING SHOW, Hidden Brook Stables, Lebanon. hiddenbrookstables.com.

5 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

5 – 6 FWPHA FINALS, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. fwpha.com.

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

6 LEVEL ONE DRESSAGE SHOW, Weatogue Stables, Salisbury. centerlineevents.com.

6 SNEHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

6 CTRA SALMON BROOK RIDE, Granby. cttrailridesassoc.org.

6 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

8 USPA MASTER’S CUP POLO TOURNAMENT, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

9 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

11 USPA MASTER’S CUP POLO TOURNAMENT, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

12 CGA GYMKHANA,Bethany Airport. ctgymkhana.com.

12 CVDC CLUB DRIVE, Beacon Woods Stables, South Glastonbury. cvdrivingclub.com.

Summer Riding and Horsemanship Programs

All ages and levels of riders will enjoy an emphasis on safety, horsemanship, and fun. weekly programs run June 21 through August 18.

WnEPHA Hunter Shows Summer Wrap-up Auction

July 16 & October 1

August 27

Check the ew rn website fots! even

Heritage Farm holds seasonal horse and tack auctions that feature horses selected by our staff – many of the horses have worked in our lesson programs or in summer camp programs. we also accept carefully selected consignments from owners seeking to rehome their horses.

Open to buy, sell, and trade horses 7 days a week, by appointment.

Nice Horses for Nice People.

The R aucher Family 30 Florence Rd., Easthampton, MA (413) 527-1612 HeritageFarmEasthampton.com

Subscribe today!

State Auctioneer license # AU450

at connhorse.com Connecticut Horse

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12 USPA MASTER’S CUP POLO TOURNAMENT, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

20 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

28 GHC POKER RIDE, Salmon Brook Park, Granby. granbyhorsecouncilct.com.

12 CROSS COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

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

September

12 – 13 CTRA ANNUAL BARBECUE AND AUCTION WEEEKEND, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

22 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

12 – 13 NEPTHA FOUR-JUDGE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

13 HORSE TRIALS, Frazier Farm, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

13 FINDING NEVERLAND, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

17 – 20 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

18 – 20 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

19 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT VOLUNTEER PICNIC AND ADOPTERS’ REUNION, Washington. horseofct.org.

19 POLO MATCH, Simsbury Polo Club, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

20 CTRA STEEP ROCK RIDE, Washington Depot. cttrailridesassoc.org.

42

May/June 2017

25 – 27 CHSA FINALS SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

26 POLO MATCH, Simsbury Polo Club, Simsbury. simsburypolo.com.

26 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

26 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Salem. treasurehillfarm.com.

27 TRI-STATE HORSEMEN’S DRESSAGE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

27 DRESSAGE SHOW, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

27 TYLER MILL PARK RIDE, Wallingford. cttrailridesassoc.org.

27 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING MEMBER PRACTICE, Bronco Billy’s, Granby. ctrenegades.com.

1 – 4 CTRA LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAMP, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

2 CGA GYMKHANA, Goshen Fairgrounds, Bethlehem. ctgymkhana.com.

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

2 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

3 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury Hunt Club, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

3 OPEN SCHOOLING SHOW, Ellington. decarliequestriancenter.com.

8 – 11 CQHA FALL CLASSIC SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. cqha.com.

9 INTRODUCTION TO FOXHUNTING, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tanheathhunt.com.

9 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT VOLUNTEER DAY, Washington. horseofct.org.

9 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING THUNDER IN NAUGATUCK MATCH, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

9 CHSA/CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

10 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

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

16 – 17 FOUR TOWN FAIR HORSE SHOW, Somers. mysticalphoto@gmail.com.

23 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

16 – 17 MITCHELL FARM MUSIC FESTIVAL, Salem. mitchellfarm.org.

23 SCHOOLING SHOW, Hidden Brook Stables, Lebanon. hiddenbrookstables.com.

16 – 17 NEPTHA JUBILEE SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. nepinto.com.

24 GRTA DAY IN THE COUNTRY HORSE SHOW, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

17 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

24 ST. PETER’S CHURCH CHARITY HORSE SHOW, Bethany Airport Show Grounds, Bethany. jaycyn195@aol.com.

17 FORMAL FAIRY TEA, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

10 – 11 REACH OUT TO HOLISTIC HORSEMANSHIP CERTIFICATION COURSE WITH ANNA TWINNEY, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

17 AUTUMN JUMPING SHOW, North Franklin. sites.google.com/site/ayermountainfarm.

16 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

17 CTRA BLUFF POINT RIDE, Groton. cttrailridesassoc.org.

16 FALL OPEN HOUSE, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

22 – 23 FHANE NEW ENGLAND FRIESIAN KEURING, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. fhane.org.

24 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

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

24 FALL HUNTER PACE AND PLEASURE RIDE, Natchaug State Forest, Hampton. tanheathhunt.com.

16 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOOT, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

22 – 24 CTRA ANNUAL CAMP BOARDMAN RIDE, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

27 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING MEMBER PRACTICE, Bronco Billy’s, Granby. ctrenegades.com.

16 3D GYMKHANA SERIES, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. (203) 996-9504.

23 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT DEMO DAY, Washington. horseofct.org.

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

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

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

30 ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

Supporting Our Equestrian Community!

Donating Connecticut Horse Youth Awards to competitions in the Nutmeg State.

Giving free annual subscriptions to the members of more than 18 Connecticut clubs and associations.

Featuring an equine nonprofit group in every issue in the Lend a Hoof feature.

Reporting and photography of Nutmeg State equestrian events every week on our Facebook page.

Starting our third year of news, photos, event coverage, features, and more.

Connecticut Horse

43

October 1 HORSE TRIALS, Frazier Farm, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

1 DRESSAGE SHOW, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

1 CTRA WHITE MEMORIAL RIDE, Litchfield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

1 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

1 CDCTA SCHOOLING SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. cdctaonline.com.

1 CAROUSEL HORSE FARM SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. carouselhorsefarm.org.

7 WINDCREST FARM SHOW, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

How about a nice massage?

For your horse!

Ridgefield, CT (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net

7 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

22 OPEN SCHOOLING SHOW, Ellington. decarliequestriancenter.com.

7 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

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

7 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT HORSE CARE CLINIC, Washington. horseofct.org.

22 OPEN SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. newcanaanmountedtrooop.org.

7 FARM TO TABLE DINNER, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

22 CTRA HURD PARK, Middle Haddam. cttrailridesassoc.org.

8 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Salem. treasurehillfarm.com.

22 SCHOOLING HORSE TRIALS, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

8 DRESSAGE SHOW, Five Oaks Equestrian Center, Tolland. fiveoaksequestrian.com.

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

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

22 TARA FARM RESCUE HUNTER PACE, Coventry. tanheathhunt.com.

8 CTRA COCKAPONSET STATE FOREST, Killingworth. cttrailridesassoc.org.

18 CHJA SHOW, Morris. Pink benefit classes and Thrills in the Hills Jumper Show. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

8 GRTA HUNTER PACE, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

9 SALEM VALLEY FARMS ICE CREAM FUNDRAISER, Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

13 – 15 DRESSAGE SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

14 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

14 CROSS COUNTRY DERBY, Horse Power Farm, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

14 CVDC CLUB DRIVE, Lord Creek Farm, Lyme. cvdrivingclub.com.

15 CHSA/CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

15 CROSS-COUNTRY SCHOOLING SESSIONS, North Franklin. sites.google.com/site/ayermountainfarm.

May/June 2017

29 CTRA TURKEY TROT, Cheshire. cttrailridesassoc.org.

29 FALL PUMPKIN JUMPIN’ SHOW, Salem. treasurehillfarm.com.

29 LEVEL ONE DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. centerlineevents.com.

29 HAUNTED TRAILS, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

29 39TH FROST ON THE PUMPKIN HUNTER PACE, Newtown. nblact.com.

November 4 CTRA ANNUAL BANQUET, TBA. cttrailridesassoc.org.

4 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT VOLUNTEER DAY, Washington. horseofct.org.

15 CAROUSEL HORSE FARM SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. carouselhorsefarm.org.

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

15 NEE FALL OPEN SCHOOLING SHOW, Four Town Fair, Somers. neequestrian.com.

5 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

21 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

5 HUNTER PACE, North Franklin. sites.google.com/site/ayermountainfarm.

21 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING CREEPIN’ INTO HALLOWEEN MATCH, Old Bethany Airport, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

11 CGA YEAR-END AWARDS BANQUET, Meriden Rod and Gun Club. ctgymkhana.com.

21 GRTA BLACK AND WHITE HUNT BALL, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

44

29 CAROUSEL HORSE FARM SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. carouselhorsefarm.org.

14 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

14 CGA FUN DAY, Moonracer Farms, Terryville. ctgymkhana.com.

Subscribe today! connhorse.com

29 HALLOWEEN RIDE, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

12 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

12 VETERANS DAY MINI RETREAT, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

25 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FAIR, East Haddam. rayoflightfarm.org.

12 TURKEY TROT, Bass Farm, Scotland. tanheathhunt.com.

26 FOLLY FARM SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

9 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, Washington. horseofct.org.

10 STEPPING STONE FARM SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

December

16 WINTER OPEN HOUSE, Stonington. horseshealinghumansct.org.

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

17 – 19 H.O.R.S.E. OF CT UNDERCOVER TACK SALE, Washington. horseofct.org.

18 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

18 WINDCREST FARM SHOW, Hebron. windcrestfarm.net.

3 FBTA HOLIDAY PARTY, Redding. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

16 FBTA YULETIDE RIDE, location TBA. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

Master Class Clinic with Linda Parelli Three days: June 23 - 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Cheshire Fairgrounds, Swanzey, New Hampshire

18 TANHEATH HUNT HUNTER TRIALS, Ayer Mountain Farm, Franklin. tanheathhunt.com.

18 FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB SHOW, Westport. bhcmanagement.com.

Walter Zettl & Linda Parelli

18 FBTA TURKEY TROT, location TBA. fairfieldbridletrails.org.

19 CVDC ANNUAL TURKEY TROT, Woodland Farm, Lyme. cvdrivingclub.com.

25 CHSA/CHJA RATED SHOW, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com.

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

Linda & Pat Parelli

Must pre-purchase tickets.

LindaParelliMasterClassNH.com

it’s free!

Connecticut Horse

45

. . . Missy Miller continued from page 13

ability,” says Missy’s longtime friend and fellow eventer, Maley Coombs.

According to Maley, “Missy doesn’t waste her talent, but rather works even harder to improve what she already has by having a strong work ethic and not just coasting on her natural gift.”

Furthermore, Maley says when challenges rear, Missy pushes on. “This sport is a roller coaster ride, with many highs and lows,” Maley says. “It’s what a rider does when faced with the lows, which can shake confidence and determination on your goals. Missy has faced some of the worst lows and bounced

back from them in an admirable way.

When she has achieved the highs, she doesn’t let them go to her head, but rather works to improve even more.”

In fact, Missy is far more likely to study her wins than gloat about them.

After years of examining both her challenges and her triumphs, Missy has this one final, important observation to share.

“You can be a great rider with great horses, but you can’t do everything alone,” she says. “You’ve got to have great help at the barn, and great help at shows, and your coaches have to not just be giving lessons, but you have to

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

commit to their program, and they have to commit to your program.” Beyond that, Missy says the farriers, the vets, the owners of the horses, the students, and the sponsors are equally vital to overall success.

“Building that team,” she says with emphasis, “is so invaluable.”

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.

Boarding

Lessons

Training

Leasing

Trails

Clinics

2 Outdoor Arenas

Parties

Indoor Arena

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

Group Lessons

Covered Round Pen

Show Coaching

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

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

S

Boarding Lessons 562 S Main St., Middletown, CT (860) 347-2531 www.midstatetractor.com 46

May/June 2017

ng Valley Far m i r p Indoor Arena

Owned and Operated by the Ross Family Trainer: Jennifer Braiden 1125 Essex Rd., Westbrook, CT (860) 399-5000 . (860) 304-5848

Sales Leases

the

neighborhood

ARTISTS

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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.

WHITE PICKETS STUDIO (978) 724-8823 whitepicketsstudio.com Fabio and Sara Deponte art.

ASSOCIATIONS

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CHESHIRE HORSE COUNCIL cheshirehorsecouncil.org Trail rides and maintenance, community service.

CONNECTICUT BARREL HORSE connecticutbarrelhorse.com CONNECTICUT COLOR BREED ASSOCIATION connecticutcolorbreed.com CONNECTICUT DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION ctdressageassoc.com CONNECTICUT GYMKHANA ASSOCIATION ctgymkhana.com CONNECTICUT HORSE SHOWS ASSOCIATION chsaonline.com.com

Your Everything Equine “white pages”

BARN CATS

SILVER LINING STABLES Monroe, CT, (203) 445-6318 silverliningstablesct.com Premier horse-boarding facility.

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

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SPRING VALLEY FARM Westbrook, CT, (860) 399-5000 Hunter, jumper, boarding, lessons.

HIGH HOPES THERAPEUTIC RIDING Old Lyme, CT, (860) 434-1974 highhopestr.org.

Therapeutic riding, driving, Horses for Heroes, unmounted equine learning.

STONECREST FARM Southbury, CT, (203) 586-1016 stonecrestfarmct.com Boarding, lessons, indoor/outdoor ring.

MANES & MOTIONS Middletown, CT, (860) 223-2761 manesandmotions.com Therapeutic riding for body, mind, soul.

SWEETWATER FARM Clinton, CT, (860) 669-9473 sweetwaterct.com Lessons, training, boarding, shows, sale horses, events facility.

RAY OF LIGHT FARM E. Haddam, CT, (860) 873-1895 rayoflightfarm.org Animal-assisted therapy; rescue center.

BOARDING AND TRAINING

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BABCOCK HILL FARM DAWN BONIN HORSEMANSHIP Coventry, CT, (860) 985-7611 babcockhill.com Natural horsemanship, lessons, training, boarding, sales/leases.

CENTURY SILHOUETTE FARM Northford, CT, (203) 627-4587 Private lessons; variety of disciplines.

DECARLI EQUESTRIAN CENTER 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.

FOLLY FARM SHOW STABLES Simsbury, CT, (860) 658-9943 follyfarm.us Training, showing, board, lessons, polo.

EQUINE DENTISTRY 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

CONNECTICUT MORGAN HORSE ASSOCIATION ctmorgans.org

EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY

FOX LEDGE FARM, ANN GUPTILL E. Haddam, CT, (860) 873-8108 foxledgefarm.net Dressage lessons, training, clinics.

GREYLEDGE FARM Durham, CT, (860) 349-9722 greyledgefarm.com Training, boarding, lessons, showing, Quarter Horses.

GUILFORD RIDING SCHOOL Guilford, CT, (203) 453-8768 grsriding.com Connecticut shoreline’s premier riding stable.

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CLIPPER BARN OF CONNECTICUT Baltic, CT, (860) 822-1951 theclipperbarnofct.com Repairs, sharpening, all types.

J.A. MCDERMOTT HORSEMANSHIP Guilford, CT, (203) 434-9505 willingresults.com Bridging science and holistic horsemanship.

JOHN BENNETT STABLES Putnam, CT, (860) 928-7098 john.bennett_jr@uconn.edu Lessons all disciplines, training, harness.

MOVADO FARMS Durham, CT, (860) 463-5272 movadofarms.net Lessons, IEA team, leasing, shows.

SHELLY WYSOCKI E. Haddam, CT, (860) 212-0114 equinedentalct33662@att.net Prophylaxis, equilibration, and gnathological procedures.

EQUINE MASSAGE

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EQUINE MASSAGE BY KATHLEEN Ridgefield, CT, (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net A nice massage, for your horse!

EQUISSAGE NE/NY CT, MA, RI, (860) 564-7759 equisportmt@sbcglobal.net Integrated body work for performance horses: reiki, Masterson Method, sports and therapeutic massage, myofascial release, cranio sacral therapy, infrared photon therapy.

CONSTRUCTION

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CARRIAGE GATE CONSTRUCTION Serving the Northeast, (717) 951-9443 Horse barns, garages, remodeling.

MINDFUL CONNECTIONS mindful-connections.com What is your horse trying to tell you?

Tuning in to your companion.

THE CARRIAGE SHED (800) 441-6057, carriageshed.com Custom-built barns, shed rows, arenas.

CREMATION

HAPPY TRAILS FARM Danbury, CT, (203) 778-6218 Pleasure riding, obstacle course, trails.

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CONNECTICUT HORSE CREMATION Killingworth, CT, (860) 881-7802 cthorsecremation.com Loving, dignified cremation service.

EDUCATION

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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.

EQUINE RELATIONSHIPS

EQUIPMENT

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STANTON EQUIPMENT John Deere, stantoneq.com Plainfield, CT, (860) 230-0130 East Windsor, CT, (860) 623-8296 Canaan, CT, (860) 824-1161 FARRIER

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MATT LEWIS Colchester, CT, (860) 575-2455 foxglovefarm.com Professional horseshoeing for the performance horse.

FEED AND PET STORE

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LOCK, STOCK & BARREL (203) 393-0002 lsbfarmsupply.com Large-animal feed and pet food. Tack, farm supplies, and power equipment.

ELECTRICAL 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.

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RV PARTS AND ELECTRIC Waterbury, CT, (203) 755-0739 hedman@snet.net Electrical work; trailers, trucks, RVs.

SWEETWATER FEED AND EQUIPMENT Clinton, CT, (860) 669-9473 sweetwaterct.com Tribute Equine Nutrition; pet foods.

Connecticut Horse

47

HORSES FOR SALE

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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

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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

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FARM CREDIT EAST (800) 946-0506 farmcrediteast.com Loans for equestrian facilities, farms, bare land. Equipment loans, leases.

MANURE REMOVAL,

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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.

PHOTOGRAPHY

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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.

SARAH GROTE PHOTOGRAPHY Cromwell, CT, (860) 301-6647 sarahgrote.com Lifestyle, event, pet, and nature.

SARRA-ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY S. Windsor, CT, (860) 644-7161 Fine-art equine portrait photography.

REAL ESTATE

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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Alexis Devlin, Realtor Colchester, CT, (860) 214-9859 alexisdevlin.com Experienced equestrian Realtor.

48

May/June 2017

CROSBY MIDDLEMASS REALTOR Connecticut, (203) 558-2046 higginsgroup.com Specializing in equestrian properties.

SMITH-WORTHINGTON SADDLERY Hartford, CT, (860) 527-9117 smithworthington.com Fine English saddlery and tack.

WILLIAM PITT SOTHEBY’S REALTY Mariette Woolfson, Realtor Essex, CT, (860) 883-3667 mwoolfson@wpsir.com Equestrian properties.

TRACTORS/EQUIPMENT

WILLIAM RAVEIS EQUESTRIAN Lori Vogel, Realtor Middlefield, CT, (860) 614-0666 lorivogel.com Specializing in equestrian lifestyle real estate.

RETIREMENT SANCTUARIES

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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

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RIDE FIT (206) 713-6761, ridefitnow.com Fitness program developed for riders.

STALL COMPONENTS

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ARMOUR COMPANIES (800) 876-7706 armourcompanies.com Stall components, aluminum, no rust.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

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HARTFORD COUNTY 4-H CAMP S. Windsor, CT, (860) 289-4177 hartfordcounty4hcamp.com Youths and adults partner together.

RED SKYE FOUNDATION Bethany, CT, (203) 891-6787 redskye.org Camp, therapy, team building, lessons.

S. J. RIDING CAMP Ellington, CT, (860) 872-4742 sjridingcamp.com Overnight girls riding camp; lessons.

TACK

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ARBITRAGE TACK Oakville, CT, (860) 417-2608 arbitragetack.com Equipment you need at prices you can afford. We keep you riding.

BEVAL SADDLERY New Canaan, CT, (203) 966-7828 beval.com New Canaan, Gladstone, NJ stores.

East Coast mobile unit.

BLUEBIRD MEADOWS FARM N. Granby, CT, (860) 604-8088 bluebirdmeadowsfarm.com Buying and selling quality tack.

REINS Essex, CT, (860) 767-0777 reinstackshop.com Fine equestrian apparel, tack, footwear, and gifts.

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MIDSTATE TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT COMPANY Middletown, CT, (860) 347-2531 midstatetractor.com Kubota, John Deere, Scag Power Equipment, Stihl, Honda.

advertisers index Apple Knoll Farm ................................ 36 Arbitrage Tack .................................... 15 Blue Seal ............................................ 51 Braideez .............................................. 6 Brooklyn-Canterbury Clinic ................ 19 Cara Kneser, DVM ............................. 21

TRAINER

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The Carriage Shed ............................... 2

CATHY DRUMM (413) 441-5278 cathydrumm.com Travels to you; English and western.

Dawn Bonin Horsemanship ................. 19

VETERINARY

Dover Saddlery ................................... 50

BECKETT & ASSOCIATES VETERINARY SERVICES Glastonbury, CT, (860) 659-0848 beckettvet.net Horses, pets, farm animals.

Eastern States Exposition Horse Show . 38

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Congelosi Trailer Sales ....................... 42

Don Ray Insurance ............................... 5

Equine Massage by Kathleen Curran . 44 Equissage ....................................... 7, 35 Ethel Walker School ............................ 45

BROOKLYN-CANTERBURY LARGE ANIMAL CLINIC Canterbury, CT, (860) 546-6998 bclargeanimal.com Serving eastern CT and RI. Equines, farm animals, and camelids.

Farm Credit East ................................. 13

EGGLESTON EQUINE Woodstock, CT, (860) 942-3365 egglestonequine.com Lameness, pre-purchase exams, veterinary medicine and dentistry.

Just Horses ......................................... 26

CARA KNESER, DVM Bozrah, CT, (860) 823-8951 kneserveterinary.com Mobile 24/7 equine veterinary service.

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.

Advertise for just $49 a year? yes!

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Fairfield County Hunt Club ................. 37

Farm Family Insurance ......................... 6 Foxfire Stables ................................... 46 Heritage Farm ..................................... 41

King Barns ............................................ 4 Le May, Inc. ....................................... 46 Linda Parelli Master Class .................. 45 Lock, Stock & Barrel ............................ 52 Manes and Motions Therapeutic Riding Center .................................... 7 Matt Lewis Professional Horseshoeing . 49 Midstate Tractor & Equipment ........... 46 Mohawk Distribution .......................... 17 Mountain Top Inn and Resort ............. 40 Pendergast Hauling & Barn Services ... 11 Pleasant View Farms ........................... 10 Sean T. Hogan, Esq. ........................... 49 Shallow Brook Farm ............................ 17 Smith-Worthington Saddlery ......... 10, 49 Sonnenhof Equestrian Center ............ 29 Spring Valley Farm .............................. 46 Strain Family Horse Farm .................... 46 TEAM Mobile Feline Unit ..................... 5 Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group ....... 25 Treasure Hill Farm Equestrian Center .. 23 Twin Pines Equine Veterinary Services . 21 Western Horseman ............................. 39 Whimsy Brook Farm ............................ 26 White Birch Farm ................................. 46 William Raveis Equestrian ................... 27

Easton

Is This Your Horse?

Connecticut’s own Smith-Worthington Saddlery is the proud sponsor of Is This Your Horse?

275 Homestead Ave. Hartford, Connecticut 860 . 527 . 9117 smithworthington.com

Sally L. Feuerberg

Crafting fine English saddlery and tack since 1794.

Available at fine tack shops throughout the U.S.

Is this your horse?

This photo was taken at the Blue Ribbon Ventures Show at Fair Hill Farm in Easton on April 9. If this is your horse, contact us at win@connhorse.com for a Smith-Worthington Saddlery leather halter and a twoyear subscription to Connecticut Horse!.

Subscribe today!

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May/June 2017

Benedict’s Home & Garden 480 Purdy Hill Rd., Monroe (203) 268-2537 benedictsgarden.com G. M. Thompson & Sons 54 Middle Turnpike Mansfield Depot (860) 429-9377 gmthompson.net

H. H. Stone & Sons 168 Main St. S., Southbury (203) 264-6501 hhstoneandsons. benmoorepaints.com Litchfield Blue Seal Store 99 Thomaston Rd., Litchfield (860) 482-7116 . blueseal.com

Lock, Stock & Barrel 770 Amity Rd., Bethany (203) 393-0002 lsbfarmsupply.com

Norwich Agway 217 Otrobando Ave., Norwich (860) 889-2344 norwichagway.com

Meriden Feed & Supply 846 Old Colony Rd., Meriden (203) 237-4414 Find us on Facebook

Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supply 21 Mt. Parnassus Rd., E. Haddam (860) 873-1946 shagbarklumber.com

Valley Home & Garden Centre 16 Railroad St., Simsbury (860) 651-5646 valleyhomeandgarden.com

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