Each spring Newtown Bridle Lands Association hosts a group trail ride through Huntington Park in Redding. Called the Slow and Go Trail Ride, it is designed to appeal to all types of riders and horses. The “Slow” group is walk only. Riders who choose this option have different reasons: perhaps their horse is not yet in condition, getting over lameness, or learning about trail riding. Sometimes either the horse or the rider is a senior who just doesn’t feel like hurrying. Spring is a beautiful time to amble through the park and enjoy the trees coming into bloom and the songs of birds as they tend to their babies.

The “Go” group is usually made up of confident riders who love a ground covering extended trot and a fast canter through the meadows. Both groups had to navigate mud, water crossings, and some rocky paths, but that is the nature of true trail riding and the horses did what they were asked.

This year the ride took place on April 20. Fifteen riders and their mounts showed up to take part and they were evenly divided between the Slows and the Gos. The course was a big loop starting and ending at a member’s house that is located near the park. After the ride, the horses were freed of their tack, brushed down and loaded in their trailers with some fresh hay. Meanwhile, the riders partook of a delicious meal of chicken salad on croissants, soup, green salad, and dessert. Conversation was horse-centric, just what the participants enjoy the most!

Tracy Van Buskirk is a 39-year-resident of Newtown and president of Newtown Bridle Lands Association, at www.nblact.com, a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 1978 to foster an interest in horseback riding as well as preserving, protecting and maintaining riding and hiking trails in the community. Horses have always been a part of her life. She owns a small bay quarter horse named Little Bear.