By Suzy Angier

The 26th Annual Frost on the Pumpkin Hunter Pace, held on Halloween Day and sponsored by the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, attracted over 300 horses and riders, many in costume.

The approximately nine-mile course wound through woods and fields in the southwest corner of town, beginning and ending, as in past years, at Joan Graham’s beautiful Windover Farm.

Some two dozen landowners graciously allowed the Pace to go through their property. Bev Marr, President of the NBLA, expressed heartfelt appreciation to them and all the other landowners in Newtown and the surrounding area whose properties are part of the greater trail system utilized by hikers, bicyclists and horse back riders.

The teams of two and three riders competed in one of four divisions – Hunt, Western, Pleasure. Besides winners being named in each division, awards were also given in the categories of Best Costume, Jack Benny (oldest combined age of horse and rider, won this year with a grand total of 91 years of age), and Peanut (youngest combined age of horse and rider). Winners of all divisions were presented with a saddle pad and tote bag and the Junior Division winner was awarded a prize donated by All The King’s Horses in Ridgefield.

The popular event, coordinated and staffed entirely by volunteers, offered lunch catered by My Place Restaurant of Newtown and a tag sale of horse tack items. Two animal rescue and advocacy organizations – Equine Angels Rescue Sanctuary in New Milford (which rescues Premarin foals) and Tara Farm Rescue of Coventry (which cares for a variety of neglected and unwanted farm animals) – were on hand with displays and information about their work.

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, which working in conjunction with the NBLA, was on hand to staff all the road crossings to ensure the safety of all riders and motorists. Proceeds from the event will be used to further the NBLA’s efforts to preserve Newtown’s open space for the benefit of all.

Results –

Pleasure Division (1:37.44) – 1. Laurie Wertalik and Nicole Wertalik :41 time difference; 2. Mary Ehbrecht and Sally Love :57; 3. Meredith Tiedeman, Patty Kathleen and Kathryn Larose 1:29; 4. Alyson Mongeau and Betsy Sessions 2:02; 5. MJ Corti and Jen Corti 2:08; 6. Ned Schankman and Alyssa Schankman 3:45; 7. Susan Newbury and Carol Lawrence 4:46; 8. Mary Bellobuono and Louise Newsome 5:08; 9. Lynn Healey and Sherri Magee 6:12; 10. Bill Carlson and Deborah Carlson 6:28.

Western Division (1:27.44) – 1. Anthony Zumpano and Kristin Salvatore 3:43; 2. Trina Smith and Colleen Colbert 4:54; 3. Radha Rampersad, Frank Scott and Gretchen Cooke 5:52; 4. Jerry Iodice and Danielle Iodice 5:55; 5. Ed Prybylski and Michael Marcus 7:13; 6. Darlene Carpenter and Lisa DeFreise 9:19; 7. Cindy Miller and Chris Russo 11:48; 8. Debbie Schafer, Abigail Martin and Graham Korr 12:40; 9. William Tyliszcaki, Linda Champeau and Louis Champeau 13:49; 10. Helen Baker, Donna Collins and Robin Piekarski 18:28.

Junior Division (1:32.44) – 1. Arden Wildasin and Jen Benoit :02; 2. Heather Grisgraber, Nicole DeAngelis and Ariel Zanferdino 2:53; 3. Cassie Ronan and Cassandra Fitzgerald 3:05; 4. Elizabeth Millan and Anella Ferrell 3:12; 5. Stephanie Wisko, Deanna Ray and Cassie Kocis 3:22; 6. Joan Brown, Phoebe Schecter and Vicky Clark 3:47; 7. Shelby McChord and Kendall McChord 3:55; 8. Bethany Gersten, Kristen Anda and Alexandria Vanstarrenben 4:07; 9. Barbara Kovach and Miranda Silverman 4:11.

Hunt Division (1:22.44) – 1. Patricia Connolly and Barbara DiPalma :45; 2. Jess Durso, Michelle Hammand and Montana Calloway 1:06; 3. Sue Sobel and Tracy Sobel 1:21; 4. John Struzzieri Jr., Devon Struzzieri and Jill Harmon 1:30; 5. Thomas Mayda and Robin Silca 1:59; 6. Pat Weeden and Janet Hoyt 2:43; 7. Todd Weik and Sherry Weik 2:54; 8. Warren Irving and Pat Cannon 3:04; 9. Gremmy Dey and Jennifer Donovan 3:18; 10. Kimberly Walter and Lieske Paeton 5:04.