The Newtown Bridle Lands Association – in conjunction with the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard at Fairfield Hills – held its annual Turkey Trot pleasure trail ride on Saturday, November 22, to benefit the FAITH Food Pantry at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook.

As horses ambled off from the horse guard headquarters, Lee Paulson, organizer of the food pantry, collected bags of food stuffs and home care products to take back to the church. The bags of food were donated by riders and other generous folks to stock the Food Pantry for the holiday season.

About two dozen happy horses and riders took advantage of the fall day to ride around the fields and woods at Fairfield Hills. Horse Guard members led the ride, with Ed Dayton, Peter Concilio, Heather Heyburn and Dave Powell taking on the “fast” group and Karen DeFriesse, Tony Gregoras and Linda Myers taking on the “slow” group.