Newtown Bridle Lands Association Announces Tentative Calendar

The Newtown Bridle Lands Association (NBLA), at its general board meeting on January 2, announced its tentative calendar for 2012.

The first open meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 21, and is entitled “Voices for Trails.” At   this meeting, the NBLA will reaffirm its mission statement and relationship to the trails. Members will have a chance to express their concerns, make constructive comments, and suggest solutions regarding the general trail system. 

NBLA members may sign in for a five-minute (or shorter) speaking slot. Each will be given a number for order of talks. There will be a moderator and a timer. After those who wish to speak have had their opportunity to do so, questions and comments will be taken from the general audience as time allows.    The NBLA hopes this will be a constructive forum from which the board of directors can gather the ideas from its membership. The information will be helpful in planning NBLA’s future approach to preservation of trails and open space. The meeting will be held at the Meeting House, 31 Main Street, beginning at 7:30 pm.

Added events discussed during the general meeting included the Membership Social on April 17 and a spring equine dental health care clinic at Happy Trails Farm in Danbury on April 21 with equine dentist, Jim Prybylski. A tentative spring trail ride is scheduled for May 19, with a rain date of May 20.  Additional fundraising events will be announced, including a Wine Tasting at McLaughlin Vineyard in Sandy Hook on March 31. Proceeds of the fundraisers will subsidize trail maintenance beyond the club’s volunteer assistance capability.

On June 23, the fourth annual NBLA Fun Day will be held at the Bethel Cooperative Extension Center on Route 6. The rain date will be June 24. Fun Day is a great opportunity for both the beginner who’d like a more relaxed venue to introduce their horse to a modified show atmosphere and the more seasoned rider who’d like to have some playful game time with their horse.

 September’s open meeting will feature Dr. Candace Benyei presenting “Keeping Horses Healthy Naturally and Benefits of Farm Bureau membership.” Volunteer supported trail clearings will be occurring throughout the year in preparation of the NBLA’s 33rd Annual Frost on the Pumpkin Hunter Pace, with Mother Nature’s cooperation, of course, on Sunday, October 28.

Other trail rides, clinics and seminars will be added to the schedule with confirmation of locations, exact dates and times. They will be listed in the NBLA newsletter, Facebook and the NBLA website at www.nblact.com. If you would like information or a membership application, please contact the NBLA at newtownhorses@charter.net. Forms may also be downloaded from the website.