Go! Dog Go! Road Race

SOUTHBURY – The third annual Run For Rescue “Go! Dog Go!” road race will be held Saturday, April 30, at Ballantine Park in Southbury.

The race serves as a fundraiser for Animals For Life, Inc., a non-profit, non-destroy animal rescue foundation celebrating its ninth year. Besides the race, festivities will include a feature demonstration by the nationally-recognized canine Frisbee Club (the Yankee Flyers), a craft flair, live music, food concessions, and a canine adoption.

For the third consecutive year, the race is being sponsored by H.H. Stone & Sons, Inc., of Southbury.

There will be three separate road races, as well as one two-mile fitness walk. The races will start at 10 am with a three-mile jaunt, followed by a two-mile race at 10:30 am where participants are welcome to bring their canine companions. And at 11 am, the kids will compete in a one-mile fun run with the walkers also starting their own race.

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each race.

All participants will receive a race package filled with gifts and treats. Pre-registered runners will receive a custom logo t-shirt and all canine participants will receive a custom logo bandana and special doggie gifts.

Refreshments will be provided to all runners at the conclusion of their race and canine visitors will be invited to chow down on freshly-baked, all natural birthday cake provide by The Natural Pet, a local pet bakery.

To register, visit www.hitekracing.com or call 203-267-6777 for further information.

The craft show will run from 10 am to 3 pm and vendor space is still available. Contact Dawn DeSantis at 203-591-1202 for further information.

4-H Spring Benefit Horse Show

BETHEL – The annual 4-H Spring Benefit Horse Show will be held Sunday, May 15, at the Cooperative Extension System grounds on Stony Hill Road in Bethel.

The popular Open School show will feature divisions in English Equitation, Hunt Seat, Western and Trail. Most classes will be pinned through sixth place, with the first-place winner also receiving a trophy. Divisions will be awarded champion and reserve ribbons.

Interstate + Lakeland Lumber, Fairfield Equine, and Benedict Home and Garden will sponsor the 2005 show.

“The support of these companies greatly expands our fundraising efforts,” said show manager Jamie Wallace.

The high-point horse and rider combination from both the Spring Benefit and Fall Nutmeg shows will receive year-end awards in the following divisions: Open Beginner Hunter and Walk/Trot (Sunny Brook Farm of Newtown); Low Hunters (Clearview Farm of Sandy Hook); The Kentucky Hunter Classic (All The King’s Horses of Ridgefield); and Western Adult Walk/Job (Happy Trails Farm of Danbury).

Proof of a current rabies vaccination (within one year) will be checked at the gate for each animal.

Refreshments will be available on the grounds. 4-Hers will be offering “horse-side” service for food and drink and Bit O’ Tack will be offering horse products for sale. For a prize list, stop by the CES building on Stony Hill Road or call 1-203-207-8440.

‘For The Horse’ Workshop

OLD LYME – High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., will present a two-day workshop entitled “For The Horse” on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24, at High Hopes in Old Lyme.

Topics will be presented by veterinarians, farriers, and other specialists and will include Natural Horsemanship-Monty Roberts Method; Horse Behavior-Parelli Method; driving; vaulting; chiropractic and acupuncture; reproduction; hoof care; saddle fitting; animal communication; massage and trigger point myotherapy; and desensitizing the horse.

Call Kristin Pernal at High Hopes at 1-860-434-1974, ext. 18 for further information.

Dominique Barbier Clinic

WINCHESTER – Meenahga Ridges Farm in Winchester will sponsor Dominique Barbier clinics July 22-24 and October 29-31.

Dominique Barbier is considered a master of French classical training and is an advocate of lightness, balance and rider awareness. Dominique will do in hand work with every horse in the morning and then ride them. The afternoon sessions are for participants to do the own in hand work and ride under his direction.

The clinic is open to as many as 10 riders and space fills up fast. Preference is given to those who elect for all three days.

Cost is $275 for one day, $525 for two days and $775 for all three days. To audit the clinic, cost is $30 for one day, $50 for two days and $65 for three days.

Board is $30 per day, but Meenahga Ridges staff will do the stalls daily. Participants will need to bring their own hay and grain, although hay will be available for purchase at the farm.

Box lunches will be arranged for and menu selection will be available for riders and pre registered auditors. A recent negative Coggins and Rabies certificate is required for board during the clinic.