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Community Corner

Horses and Riders Compete on Scenic Trails

The Bedford Riding Lanes Association held its annual Fall Hunter Pace on Sunday.

Horses of all types and riders of all ages turned out on a brisk September morning to do what they love most: ride.

Over 75 teams and 200 riders participated in the Bedford Riding Lanes Association's annual fall Hunter Pace Sunday at the John Jay Homestead.

Riders saddled up to trek the 10-mile trail in one of four divisions: Pleasure, Hunter, Western or Junior, giving teams with all levels of experience the chance to participate.

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The term " hunter pace" actually comes from foxhunting. Traditionally, teams of two or three riders follow an outdoor course laid out over terrain which is meant to simulate the riding conditions encountered during a foxhunt. But BRLA board member Camille Branca said their 30-year-old event is designed mainly to allow horses and riders to come together to do what they love most: enjoy the scenic Bedford trails on horseback.

The pleasure division is for riders or horses that want to take it easy. A young horse or new rider may participate in this division to have a more leisurely, stress-free journey. Knowledgeable riders who have a faster, more aggressive stride join the hunter division. These two divisions were the most populated on Sunday.

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The Western division is a separate discipline of riding, the saddle differing from a more standard, English style ride. And the youngest riders—those under age 18—competed in the junior division. The BRLA hosts riders from as young as seven, to older but still able—one participant this year was in his early 90s.

BRLA President Matarazzo-Silverman said the pace is a fabulous event to school a young horse, but there are also participants who give the highest level of horses a beautiful relaxing morning ride in the country.

"We're very lucky to take advantage of beautiful trails due to gracious donations from the public and private landowners," Matarazzo-Silverman said.

Riders in each division traveled the course and were timed from start to finish. The optimum time for each division was decided without the riders' knowledge. The riders aimed to score this "proper" pace and winners were awarded ribbons in each of the four divisions. Riders can also accumulate points to win trophies by participating in multiple paces in the Associate Bridle Trails series.

The trails, marked with yellow signs with the letters "BRLA" weave within the countryside, passing by barns and streams, across streets, and through private property. For the pace, all jumps within the trail, which were about 2 or 3 feet tall, included a go-around option to accommodate riders of all levels.

The BRLA hosts two paces a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Between the two, hundreds of riders come from all over the northeast including Canada, New Jersey and Connecticut.

All sizes and breeds of horses are invited to attend the pace including Icelandics, Quarter breds, and even ponies.

"You could even ride a donkey if you wanted to," said BRLA and John Jay Homestead board member Alex Hamer.

Matarazzo-Silverman said the event brings together many horse communities.

"We're known as a very family-friendly hunter pace," Matarazzo-Silverman said.

Sixteen year-old Mark Miller, a junior rider who rides at Bedford's Coker Farm, said he enjoyed his fall pace ride this year. Miller was impressed with the trail's upkeep and appreciative that it wasn't rocky or muddy, and that the terrain wasn't steep.

"We did lots of jumps and there was great footing," Miller said.

Miller said he rides because it calms him down. It's also an opportunity for him to socialize and make friends with similar interests. Miller, who was wearing a standard button down, blazer and leather knee high boots, said another perk to riding is the attire.

Adrienne Morgan, a rider from Bedford, chose to wear a safety jacket on the chilly, fall morning. Morgan also wore gloves to prevent blisters for when the horses pull.

Morgan has been jumping for six years and riding for many more. She enjoys riding everyday and jumping three times a week. The hunter pace was an opportunity for her to practice her jumps.

Morgan joined the pace with a local friend, Elizabeth Johnson. Johnson's experience is mainly showing horses, so the hunter pace was a new experience for her.

"It wasn't as competitive in nature," Johnson said. "It was a fun and carefree ride."

 

 

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