Horseback Riding Clinic

BRIDGEWATER — Horseback riders can improve their cross-country riding skills at Shallow Brook Farm, 110 Christian Street, Bridgewater, at the annual Cross-Country And Hunt Clinic, sponsored by the Fairfield County Hounds (FCH), on Saturday, July 30, from 9 am to 1 pm.

The Clinic will be led by Sue Del Buono, a longtime member of the FCH and seasoned cross-country rider and trainer.

“Whether you like eventing, hunter paces, foxhunting, or just rambling on the trails, this is the perfect time of year to focus on cross-country skills,” Del Buono said. “Many riders are now looking ahead to cross-country riding events, like hunter paces, and foxhunting. Our annual clinic is designed to help riders not only successfully compete but also safely enjoy group riding events such as foxhunting.”

Clinic participants must be able to walk, trot and canter, Del Buono added. “We will have jumping and non-jumping clinic groups, and focus on helpful drills and advice to immediately benefit the clinic participants,” she said.

Del Buono said the clinic will include an hour of ring work, focused on riding in teams and in a group, as well as on controlling your horse and “better brakes.” Clinic participants will then move out into the field for additional work in actual cross-country conditions, such as riding on uneven terrain, and similar hunter pace and foxhunting situations. 

The $75 clinic fee includes lunch and additional lectures and Q&A from the masters of the Fairfield County Hounds on cross-country riding and foxhunting. Ample parking is available for horse trailers. A limited number of school horses are also available, at an additional charge, for clinic participants who don’t own a horse. Call the farm at 860-355-1879 to reserve a school horse for the clinic.

For more information and registration for the clinic, contact Del Buono at suepyanahn@aol.com or call 860-283-6887.

FCH is the oldest live foxhunt in the state of Connecticut, recognized by the Master of Foxhounds Association MFHA in 1926, and has operated from its kennels in Bridgewater since 1987.