NBLA Frost On The Pumpkin Hunter Pace Draws More Than 150 Riders

Horses and riders participated in the 31st annual Newtown Bridle Lands Association Frost On The Pumpkin Hunter Pace on October 25. After a drenching rain the day before the sunny October 25 morning couldn’t have been more glorious for a ride through the course which took riders through woods, meadows and fields, across streams and up and down hills. The Pace gathering place on the Graham property was a festive setting with event tents, vendors, tack tag sale, a DJ and more. Trailer loads of gleaming horses were readied for riding and lined up at the start. Riders and horses dressed in colorful costumes added to the gala atmosphere.

The pace was ridden by more than 150 riders and horses. Following a buffet luncheon, an award ceremony was held. Winners of the event were: Hunt Division - Deborah Higgins and Corrie Samuell; Western Division - Stephen Velluto and MaryAnn Velluto; Pleasure Division - Jennie Corso and Michelle McLane; Junior Division - Grace Leyden and Dana Leyden. Ribbons were awarded to 10 places in each Division. The First Place Winners received Saddle Pads donated by All The King’s Horses and generously filled buckets of horsy gifts from the NBLA. The winning team in the Costume Class was comprised of Sandy Arcano, Kathy Watson and Gigi Ouellette who were dressed as the King’s Royal Horse Guard.

The event is the major fundraiser for the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, an active organization promoting the preservation of Open Space in Newtown and throughout the area as well as providing a network for education and activities involving horses. The NBLA thanks everyone who volunteered to make the Hunter Pace a success as well, as all of the landowners who permit the riders to pass through their property, and all of the generous sponsors and supporters advertising in the program book for the Pace.