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.

Animals For Life Golf Tournament

WATERTOWN – Animals For Life, a non-profit animal rescue group, will hold its Mulligans, Mutts & Meows golf tournament on Tuesday, May 24, at the Watertown Golf Club.

Proceeds will beneift the AFL. First prize is a weekend golfing get-away in Rhode Island.

Registration will be held from 9 am to 12:45 pm, with the shotgun start at 1 pm.

Fee of $175 includes greens fees, cart, morning refreshments, BBQ lunch, awards dinner and auction. There will be a host of prizes awarded.

Call 267-6777 for further information.

Yoga For Equestrians

WOODBURY – Back by popular demand, a Yoga For Equstrians workshop will be held Saturday, May 21, from 4 to 7 pm, at the Woodbury Yoga Center. Join Marianne Addonizio, a horse owner with over 15 years riding experience, to learn how riding can be enhanced through yoga.

Build strength, flexibility, and balance with yoga postures and breathing techniques especially selected for the horseback rider. The workshop is open for all – from beginners to experienced practitioners, with no prior yoga experience required.

Ms Addonizio, in addition to horseback ridding and teaching yoga, is a practicing licensed massage therapist, Reiki Master, and Therapeutic Touch Practitioner at Kneading Hands in Southbury. She is married with four children and has been established in her own yoga and meditation practice for many years.

Call the Center at 263-2254 to register. Cost is $45 ($35 for registrations paid before May 14).The Woodbury Yoga Center is located at 122 West Side Road in Woodbury.

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.