Each year the Newtown Bridle Lands Association (NBLA) hosts a variety of events for the horseback riding community. Last Saturday it was the spring "Ride & Go" trail ride into Collis P. Huntington State Park, an early outdoor season ride that helps equestrians start their trail riding conditioning after a long winter. This year nine horses and riders gathered at the Newtown Forest Association meadow off Greenleaf Drive to head into the park. As usual, a delicious post-trail ride luncheon was hosted by Shelby McChord at her home which overlooks the meadow.lisaunleashed.comlisa.peterson@barngirlmedia.com

I've been blessed for the past few years to ride one of Shelby's horses, the mighty Percheron Bea, as part of this annual tradition. Bea is a natural herd leader, and takes her job of walking boldly upfront so that others may follow without fear seriously. Riders were treated to a brand-new boardwalk along the NBLA easement from the meadow toward the park. I've traversed this sunken wet hole for decades. It rarely dries out and has been known to suck shoes and horse booties right off a hoof. The mass of mud and tree roots are a challenge to navigate. But this year, oh the joy of a few clip clops across the pressure-treated boards, covered with natural vegetation to prevent slipping, to ride stress-free up to the road toward the park.

Thank you benevolent one who donated this boardwalk for all to enjoy. Thank you landowners Chuck and Jung Mill for sharing your property with the majestic horses. Thank you NBLA for maintaining your easements across town, no matter the volume of equine traffic.

The trail ride is open to riders and horse of all levels. One of the relaxing features of this ride is its designation as a walk-only adventure. In previous years, a horse or two may have joined who had never been on a wooded trail, deep in the forest before. Taking in all the new sights, sounds, and surfaces will give a novice horse and rider a better first experience if done at a slow pace, especially in the company of a swarm of steeds. As seasoned horse people know, having that first positive ride is something to build upon to create a confident horse on the trails.

For this year's installment, the trail ride took a few different turns to give riders vistas they may have never seen before. I like the early spring rides as the leaves are not yet on the trees and you can see across many hills, cliffs, and glacial rock-strewn valleys. At the first turn left up the hill, we all looked to the right, and could see outlines of former farm fields lined with ancient stone walls. Moving forward we found ourselves on worn trails that led to the old mica mine nearby. As we traveled up the hill and into the park proper, familiar trails greeted the veteran horses. It's true, the horses know where to turn.

A sunny, just warm enough for riders and just cool enough for horses day, made for picture perfect viewing across the lakes and ponds in the park. There was a stiff breeze coming across the lake, small waves and ripples moved briskly across the surface. Shelby, as our tour guide, told us stories of Huntington's old boat house, paddlewheel vessel, and lighthouse in the lake. As we walked across the earthen dam at the far side of the lake, wind whipped across our faces, messed up manes and tails, and riders locks. Back into the woods, and then across the wide dirt road, we heading home. On the return, we treated the riders to another reverse trail, under a short canopy of green mountain laurels. I could hear riders in the distance behind me saying, "We must come back here, this would be a lovely place to canter."

Several of the riders had not been in the park yet and this was a wonderful educational opportunity to shows them trails, the areas that still held good footing among many rocky areas, and where the best places were to cross water.

Coming home, back across the meadow, I spotted more than half a dozen white-tailed deer grazing at the wooded edge. The sky was a sparkling blue, no clouds to interrupt the electric color. The horses, all well behaved and suitably relaxed, walked proudly toward their trailers. After our dismounts we nestled our horses into barns and trailers with fresh hay to nibble on. Then it was time for us riders to nosh on quiche, salad, spicy noodles (thank you Jung!), croissants, and yummy cookies and lemon cakes.

By the trail ride's end we had traversed three towns - Newtown, Redding, Bethel - in a lovely hour and a half walk among mountain laurels, budding trees, and sparkling streams. There's no nicer way to start off spring than on a horse on a natural trail surrounded by flora, fauna and friends.

Lisa Peterson writes about history, horses, and hounds at .. You can reach her at