The Newtown Bridle Lands Association (NBLA) has a variety of events for horse lovers throughout the year, and several are on the schedule for the summer and fall. There are multiple rides planned during the summer, along with these special events:

*Saturday, July 16, from 10 am to 1 pm: Catherine Violet Hubbard (CVH) Animal Sanctuary hosts a For the Love of Horses party, open to the public. The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard will present a horseback Color Guard Ceremony, and NBLA and the Guard will host a trail ride. Rising Star Animal Rescue will be there with at least one of its horses and there will be many other equestrian-related groups with lots of information and demonstrations. Little Bear, the unofficial mascot of NBLA, plans to come and will be ready to greet visitors.

*Friday, August 12 (tentative): Fundraiser event at Newsylum Brewery, Keating Farms Avenue. Dancing, local brews, great food. Funds used to maintain trails.

*Late August, Date TBD: Group outing to Old Salem Farm to see a horse show.

*Saturday, September 17: Group Trail Ride, location TBD.

*Sunday, October 23: Frost on the Pumpkin Hunter Pace. The pace will include division results and a costume competition just in time for Halloween. Horses and riders dress for the occasion.

*Saturday, November 12: Group trip to Equine Affaire. An equine exposition and equestrian gathering in West Springfield, Mass.

*Tuesday, November 15, 7 pm: Speaker/demo. Details to follow.

*Sunday, December 11: Jingle Bell Ride. NBLA members and the Horse Guard will march throughout the Fairfield Hills Campus decked out in holiday garb, with jingle bells ringing as part of a food drive.

Membership is $45 per person. Visit nblact.com for information.

NBLA is a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 1978 within the town of Newtown with a goal to foster an interest in horseback riding as well as preserving, protecting and maintaining riding and hiking trails in the community. Since the land trust was formed in 1988, NBLA has focused more of its efforts on working with landowners and developers to maintain crucial links in Newtown’s trail system.

NBLA works with landowners, developers, and town land use commissions to raise awareness and preserve existing trails or create new trails. Working with developers, NBLA has carved new trails, and redefined old trails, or created links between two adjoining trails. This partnership allows horses, hikers, and houses to peacefully coexist. Defining these new trails are legal deeded easements, thus ensuring riders and hikers permanent access.

Visit nblact.com for information.