By Karen Lato-Jensen

 

Newtown has had a long and rich history as a rural farm community. Cows, sheep and horses dominated the Newtown landscape for decades and yet, with the advancement of technology, even a small farming community must move forward.

Over the course of time and with all the positives that modern conveniences bring, Newtown started on a path of urbanization and thus, went from rural to suburban. With this new world the family farm, with a few exceptions, became a relic of the past; with this loss the horses of Newtown almost disappeared.

Newtown, unlike many other surrounding towns who have experienced this same change and growth, carries a unique spirit of community and love of the land, unlike no other. Newtown strongly values open space and desires to hold onto a piece of its rural history.

Moreover, a small group of equestrian enthusiasts sprang into action in the late 1970’s and called themselves the Newtown Bridle Lands Association. Today, NBLA is a nonprofit volunteer organization. Their goal was and is to foster an interest in horseback riding as well as preserving, protecting and maintaining riding and hiking trails within the town of Newtown.

As Newtown’s open space is now tremendously valued, more and more is being done to preserve land, the horses are returning. People are choosing Newtown for quality schools, a family atmosphere and especially its strong and growing horse community. Newtown can pride itself as the home of the Governor’s Horse Guard, having an active equestrian group in NBLA, and the bragging rights of miles and miles of beautiful equestrian trails.

Less than a year ago, former New Yorkers Stephanie Lennon and husband Terry fulfilled their personal dream of a “forever house” and purchased 35 acres of tranquil and picturesque land. As self-proclaimed land preservationists, the Lennons were in the market specifically for a horse friendly town and the perfect horse property. Their realtor steered them towards Newtown as an extremely horse friendly community and together they found the perfect property.

On the Lennons’ land stands a gorgeous antique stone barn that is now home to Stephanie’s most valued companions – Joker, a 40-plus Arabian/Quarter Horse who has been with Stephanie for 28 of his years; Turnip, a mini donkey who keeps everyone company and the barn crew in line; and Sully, the most recent addition to the family, a five-year-old quarter horse gelding.

And always by Stephanie’s side in the barn is her energetic and loyal sidekick, Willa, her Jack Russell.

Stephanie and her husband looked at the property three years previous, but could not afford it at the time. As time passed, the land and remembrances of its beauty could not be forgotten. Fast forward three years and now this special place was in the process of going to contract with someone else.

In a heart driven effort, Stephanie wrote to the owner of the property explaining her deep feelings and desires and how this particular place would fulfill her and her husband’s dreams. The owner, so deeply moved, was convinced the Lennons were the perfect people to keep this special horse property in tact and thus title was passed.

Today, Stephanie is an active member of the NBLA. She states that NBLA is as friendly and supportive just as her realtor expressed; the realtor also informed the Lennons that NBLA is a “very visible group” in Newtown.

So what do horse people do in Newtown? Many can be seen at hunter paces, NBLA Show and Goes, trail riding, or just socializing. Horse people like Stephanie Lennon can be seen riding to reach great local destinations.

Stephanie saddles up Sully every Wednesday and rides out to her gal pal’s home for lunch. When she wants farm fresh produce, she and Sully are off to Cherry Grove Farm. Stephanie enjoys wandering out knowing Newtown is a relaxed community with horse friendly traffic. Newtown’s peaceful setting is the perfect backdrop to provide the connection she feels between her animals and the land; she expresses that she is “blessed to have her property and never wants to leave.”

“God forbid that I should go to any Heaven in which there are no horses.”

~R.B. Cunninghame Graham, letter to Theodore Roosevelt, 1917

NOTE: If you are a dedicated horse owner and live, work or play in Newtown and wish to share your story, please contact Karen Lato-Jensen c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.