Newtown Students Wins NBLA Scholarship

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown resident Jessica Myers Bittman loves horses — but she never guessed her passion would help her family pay for college.

Jessica, a senior at Nonnawaug High School, a regional school in Woodbury offering a vocational agricultural program, was recently awarded the 2004 Newtown Bridle Lands Association $500 Scholarship.

NBLA Chair Andrea Brosnan founded the scholarship last year.

“I thought it would be nice to do something for our [youth],” she said. “We began it in memory of Newtown resident Linda Souza, one of our members.”

While the recipient does not have to be a member of NBLA, he or she must be a Newtown resident and a graduating senior who plans to major in agriculture, equine science, earth science, conservation or similar areas in college.

“A lot of people think that NBLA is exclusively for horseback riders,” said Ms Brosnan. “But that isn’t true. I don’t even own a horse!”

In addition to equestrian pursuits, NBLA is active in Newtown’s conservation efforts, preserving trails and clearing potential new ones for not only riders, but also hikers and joggers to enjoy.

Guest speakers are featured at every one of NBLA’s monthly meetings, usually discussing topics on equestrian health and care.

“We also do a lot of social events throughout the year,” said Ms Brosnan. “NBLA is a great way to meet people!”

Jessica said she was excited and grateful to be the recipient of this year’s scholarship.

“The opportunity came while I was researching scholarship sources,” she said. “I will be majoring in equine science at the state University of New York (SUNY) in Morrisville, N.Y. this fall.”

While neither a horse owner nor NBLA member, Jessica acquired her love of horses from her mother, Linda Meyers.

Ms Meyers is a major in Newtown’s Governor’s Horse Guard.

“My mother’s responsibility is basically to help care for the horses,” explained Jessica. “She’ll do everything from feed them to treat wounds.”

The horses are used to escort the governor, on request, for special appearances.

“I decided to attend SUNY Morrisville because it has a reputation for having the best equine science program in New England!” Jessica exclaimed. “I really enjoyed my campus visit there. The professors were very approachable and knowledgeable.”

The school’s facilities, she continued, were also impressive.

“Everything related to equine science can be learned there,” she said, noting the school’s expansive barn space and other resources.

“There are also a lot of opportunities for me to develop knowledge in natural horsemanship,” she said.

Natural horsemanship is a movement founded in humanitarian principles that encourage riders to treat their horses with care and respect. 

According to its tenets, riders must train and use their horses without any brute force. 

“In the 19th Century, horses were constantly being whipped and abused,” said Jessica. “The purpose was to have the horse ‘fear’ its owner! It was horrible.”

The natural horsemanship approach, she said, emphasizes the “companionship” of horse-human relationships.

While Jessica is not certain of what kind of job she would like to acquire, there is no doubt that she plans to work with horses.

“I am happy about going to SUNY Morrisville,” said Jessica, “and happy to have the NBLA scholarship to help!”