SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 – The Old Chatham Hunt Club will hold a pre-season Hunter Pace on Sunday, August 26, from 9 am to 1 pm, at Highland Farm on Highland Road in Old Chatham, New York. There will be a beautiful eight-mile course with clearly-marked arrows and flags, more than 50 varies cross country fences, and go-arounds. Teams of two or three riders are welcome (riding helmets are required and informal attire is okay). Current Coggins test is also required. Entrance fee ($60 for adults and $25 for junior riders 17 and under) includes lunch. Ribbons will be award. Call Susan Smith at 1-518-733-9476 for further information.

Horse Shows

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 through SUNDAY, JUNE 10: The Shallowbrook Charity Hunter Jumper Horse Show will be held Thursday, June 7, through Sunday, June 10, at the Shallowbrook Equestrian Center in Somers. It is an ASHA-sanctioned ‘A’ show. Prize money totals $20,000, including the $6,000 5/A Baker Blankets Jumper Classic. Call 270-8800 for events and prize information.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 – The Falls Village Benefit Horse Show will be held Saturday, June 9, in Falls Village. There will be classes in Pleasure, Evergreen Hunter, Low Hunter, Children’s Hunter, Versatile Horse & Rider, Open Equitation, Local Hunter & Open Hunter, and Lead Line. The event will benefit the FFA and Falls Village Ambulance. Call 1-860-824-5045 for further information.

SUNDAY, JUNE 10 – The Northwest Connecticut Draft Horse Association will be holding a Draft Horse “Dust Off” Show on Sunday, June 10, at the Harwinton Fairgrounds on Locust Road in Harwinton. There were be farm and show classes (beginning at 9 am) with an antique tractor display and an operating antique shingle mill. Admission is $3, with children under 12 free. Refreshments will be available. Call Bill Buys at 1-860-485-1821 for further information.

MONDAY, JUNE 11 through SUNDAY, JUNE 17 – The 72nd annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse show will be held Monday, June 11, through Sunday, June 17, at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien. The show will feature the $35,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, the 6th annual Ox Ridge Leadline Class, the Reuters Junior/Amateur Owner Hunter Classic, the Ox Ridge Equitation Classic, the Small Junior Hunter Division and more. Call 1-203-656-1745 for further information.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16 – The Newtown Bridle Lands Association will be hosting its annual Spring into Summer hunter pace on Saturday, June 16 at the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard facility at Fairfield Hills. The course will be several miles long and all fences will have go-arounds. It will be a mixture of fields and wooded trails throughout the grounds of Fairfield Hills and the Governor’s Horse Guard property on Mile Hill Road. There will be three divisions – hunt, western and pleasure – with ribbons up to 10th place being awarded in each division. Teams may consist of two to three riders. Western teams must have at least one western rider. This year’s event will feature a Jack Benny award for the oldest horse and rider combination as well as the Peanut award for the youngest rider.. Start times will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. Entries close on June 6 or when full. The first team will go out at 8 am and the last will go out at 12 noon. Pace fees are $35 for non-NBLA members and $25 for members of NBLA and GHG. Breakfast and lunch will be available at an additional cost. Water will also be available. For more information or to get an entry form contact Bev MacMillan at 270-0830. Completed entries forms must be accompanied by a check for full payment, current rabies and Coggins certificates. Entry forms should be mailed to NBLA, P.O. Box 3038, Newtown, 06470-3038. Postcards will be sent with times assigned upon receipt of entry form, health certificates and fee.

SUNDAY, JULY 8 – Brushy Hill Farm in Southbury will be holding its next horse show on Sunday, July 8. There will be divisions for beginners, equitation, pleasure and adult. In the event of rain, the show will be held indoors. For prize list and further information, call 262-6466 or 426-6723.

Special Events

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 – The Spay & Neuter Association of Newtown will hold a Fair on Saturday, June 9, at the Newtown Middle School. There will be a tag sale, bake sale, face painting, balloons, clowns, a Chinese auction (raffle), crafts, and refreshments such as hot dogs, popcorn, juice and more. Call SNAN at 426-2066 if you are a vendor or have a tag sale or bake sale item to donate.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 – Animals for Life, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-destroy, non-profit animal rescue organization will be hosting a public adoption for cats and kittens on Saturday, June 9, from 11 am to 4 pm, at the VFW Hall in Southbury. Donations of pet carriers, cages, Hav-a-Hart traps, litter, pet supplies, and tax deductible monetary contributions will also be accepted. For further information, call 267-6777.