Horses

In The Hills

By Steve Bigham

Under clear skies, nearly 100 area riders saddled up their mounts for the Second Annual Horse Show Sunday on the picturesque campus of Fairfield Hills.

The event is put on by the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard and showcases some of the best riders from Newtown and surrounding towns. It also features both English and Western classes for children and adults.

Awards were presented to riders in more than 50 categories.

The event is the brainchild of Ev Lindeborn of Brushy Hill Farm in Newtown and Peter Concilio of the Governor’s Horse Guard, who both felt Newtown needed and deserved its own horse show. Prior to the inception of this show last year, Newtown had never put on its own horse show despite having the state’s largest number of horses per capita.

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard is located at Fairfield Hills, across the street from the main campus. Horse riders say the facility is ideal for horse shows and believe it is just a matter of time before the event really takes off. More than 500 spectators turned out for Sunday’s event.

The horse show featured an outside main ring and an outside course. Horse Guard officials hope to have an indoor facility next year and have resurfaced a lower field in the hopes of attracting more Western riders.

“We’re two years away from way from having the best facility in Connecticut,” said Horse Guard Captain Gordon McNeil.

Among the guests on hand Sunday was State Rep Julia Wasserman, who was extremely pleased to see the grounds used in such a positive way.

Newtown resident David Macauley was the show’s ringmaster in the main ring while Katrina Armbrister was hunt course master on the outside course. Newtown resident Glynis Sharp, with her British accent, served as announcer.

Proceeds from the event will benefit St Vincent’s Foundation “Swim Across the Sound” cancer prevention programs and the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard.

See the B-Section for a complete list of award winners.