By Kim J. Harmon
By Kim J. Harmon
From horse shows to dog shows, from sleigh rallies to trail rides, there was more than enough activity to keep the local horse and dog enthusiasts busy throughout 1999 and a lot of that activity centered at the Second Company Governerâs Horse Guard grounds on the campus of Fairfield Hills.
The Horse Guard had a busy 1999, with Governor John Rowlandâs inaugural parade in January, a sleigh rally in March (with the Newtown Bridle Lands Association), the retirement of Major Peter Moritz in May, its first annual Open Horse Show in June, an Open House and Tag Sale in August (not to forget a week at Camp Rowland), a new recruit open house in September, competition at the annual Frost on the Pumpkin Pace in October, a 10-mile trail ride in November that raised $4,000 for the St. Judeâs Childrenâs Research Hospital, and a Turkey Trot pleasure ride (again with the Newtown Bridle Lands Association) in December.
Take a look back at 1999 . . .
JANUARY
Britt Heggland of Wilton finishes first in the Novice YA Trail Class at the recent All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. There are more than 200 classes with 8,000 horses from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Eruope and South America comprising 13,000 entries. Britt, 16, has been doing well at AQHA shows for several years, showing only halter horses. She trains under Jim and Lisa Farrell of Greyledge Farm in Durham.
The Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard was featured at Governor John Rowlandâs Inaugural Parade in Hartford.
Three Teikyo Post University students in equine management studies prepare to head to England to study and prepare for nationally-recognized exams in horse care, riding and teaching, which will lead to certification as Preliminary Instructors by the British Horse Society. The students are Stacey Ciarlo of Middlebury, Michele Waters of Hebron, and Dina Sanchez of Sandisfield, Massachusetts. All are juniors.
Melissa Mason of Newtown competes at the Lakeville Pony Club Show and wins reserve champion pony hunters on her horse, Copper Strata. Melissa is a fifth-grade student at Head OâMeadow School and trains with Susan Horn at Rivers Edge in Southbury.
Lance F. Swartwout, president of the General David Humphreys Branch No. 1 Sons of the American Revolution of New Haven, presents the Bronze Good Citizenship Award for meritorious service to Lieutenant Robert Martin of Monroe and Corporal Linda Meyers of Sandy Hook.
Huntsfield Farm riders head south to Florida to compete in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Natalie Williams, 16, of Newtown will ride two horses during her Florida debut.
FEBRUARY
A Quiz the Experts series begins at Teikyo Post University in Waterbury, with the first session dealing with âThe Trouble With Farriers.â
Master Sergeant Ross Peckman congratulates Ed Dayton on his promotion to 1st sergeant while Sergeant Paul Mazzara and Sergeant Domingo Quiles receive citations for their outstanding work in preparing new recruits to become troopers at the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard. Troopers Kristen Comeau and Tim Larkin are promoted to Assistant Squad Leader and Squad Leader, respectively.
MARCH
The Newtown Bridle Lands Association and the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard hold a point-to-point cross country sleigh rally with an obstacle course challenge. More than 300 people attend the event, which featured hay rides aboard a tam of Percheron horses.
Several rare and endangered breeds of ponies and donkeys appear at the annual Stallions on Parade at Seraphim Farm in Southbury. There are demonstrations of dressage and western riding, driving Percherons, Morgans and a very special driving exhibit from High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center.
The Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard announces it is on the search for at least three new mounts for its growing militia unit.
Elizabeth MacMillan of Newtown, a student at Fairfield University and a member of the equestrian team there, prepares for her shot at the Zones and National championships.
APRIL
Leslie Hudson-Tolles of Newtown is featured in Let That Pony Run, a month-long, one-woman art show at Art Tenders in Bethel and Impressions of Horse & Hound, a national juried art show presented by the International Intercollegiate Equestrian Association at the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts in Mount Kisco, New York.
Rogert B. Leithead tenders his resignation as Master of the Old Chatham Hunt Club. After an illustrious career in the show ring, with Pony Club, in the Air Force, and in the foxhunting world, Mr Leithead feels it is time to hang up the scarlet coat.
Amy Shaw represents Teikyo Post University in Waterbury at the Intercollegiate Horse Show National Championships in Greenfield, Massachusetts. She is one of only 16 riders in the country to qualify in the Advanced Walt/Trot/Canter Class and is only the seconr rider ever from Teikyo Post to qualify for the IHSA Championships.
Sarah Bryan, Kate Forcier, Alison Rose and Liz Rowland of the Bethel 4-H Council received a $1,450 grant to develop an Equine Fire Safety Awareness Program for firefighters and the horse-owning public.
MAY
Major Peter Moritz retires from his position at the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard. Major Moritz, of Ridgefield, served with the Second Company for 16 years and was elected major commander of the unit in 1995. Under his command, the troop doubled in size from 20 active members to 45 active members.
A 4-H Spring Benefit Horse Show is held at the Fairfield County Agricultural Center on Stony Hill Road in Bethel. The open schooling show featues English Equitation, Hunt Seat, Western and Trail Divisions.
The 18th annual Pegasus Horse Show is held at Coker Farm in Bedford, New York. Challenged riders of all ages demonstrated their skills and determination.
About 125 dogs and cats turn out for the 14th annual low-cost rabies clinic sponsored by the Newtown town clerkâs office. Dr. Brian Silverleib of Mount Pleasant Hospital for Animals, Dr. Karen Harter of the Berkshire Veterinary Hospital and their assistants, Melanie Flaherty, Susan Howe, and Heidi OâDell donate their time and services.
JUNE
The Newtown Bridle Lands Association sponsors a public workship entitled Good Horsekeeping for Environmental Protection at the Cyrenius Booth Library. Topics include manure management, evaluating your own site, best management practices for pastures, composting/disposal options, and best management practices for runoff.
The Second Company Governorâs Horse Huard holds its first annual Open Horse Show at the Fairfield Hills facility. The show features both English and Western divisions and attracts riders from all over the tri-state area.
The Newtown Kennel Club hosts its annual World of Dogs show at the Danbury Fair Mall. A special presentation of three bullet-proof vests for police dogs is made by the club to the state and Danbury police department canines. Danbury mayor Gene Eriquez is on hand for the presentation as are Police Officer Bruce Bertram and his retired German shepherd K-9, Falk.
JULY
Elvemelâs La Grande Dame, a seven-month-old Norwegian Elkhound bitch, beats out a field of 22 puppies to win Best Puppy in Sweepstakes at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of the Potomac Valley Regional Specialty in Manassas, Virginia. The dog is co-owned by Nancy and Stephen Hales of New Canaan and by Lisa Peterson of Dodgingtown, who also handled the dog in competition.
Two-time Olympic medalist Leslie Howard of Westport wins the $35,000 Ox Ridge Grand Priz at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien.
AUGUST
John Mathews, Amy Shaw and Sarah LaPlante of Teikyo Post University in Waterbury head out to England to train at the Talland School in Gloucestershire, one of the top training centers in the United Kingdom. The British Horse Society oversees the school.
The Fairfield County 4-H drill team, under the direction of Ken Forcier and Kim Phelan get plenty of rehearsing done at the 4-H Extension Center in Bethel. The team includes Kate Forcier, Alison Rose, Justin Griffin, Mel Phelan, Lindsay Hudson-Tolles, Alyssa Hudson-Tolles, Melissa Druehl, Whitney Ogas, Liz Rowland, and Alyssa Osiecki.
The Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard returns from a week at Camp Rowland in Niantic, following ceremonies on Governorâs Day. The Second Company holds a Open House and Tag Sale on the grounds, featuring cavalry drills, musical ride demonstrations, historical exhibits, tours, pony rides, a childrenâs drawing contest and much more.
SEPTEMBER
The Nutmeg Benefit Horse Show is held at the 4-h Cooperative Extension Center in Bethel with one of the main features a Gamblerâs Choice class.
The Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard holds a new recruit open house, which features a talk by Lt. Colonel Peter Moritz (retired) as well as a tour of the grounds.
The Ridge Equestrian Center off Hanover Road in Newtown concludes its 12th successful summer of horse camp. Over a dozen campers â with four counselors and four assistants â learning the finer points of tack, horse grooming, horse shows, and more.
OCTOBER
Elvemelâs La Grande Dame, a seven-month-old Norwegian Elkhound bitch, captures top honors at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Canada Specialty Show. The dog is co-owned by Nancy and Stephen Hales of New Canaan and by Lisa Peterson of Dodgingtown, who also handled the dog in competition.
Nationally-recognized trainer David Collins lends insights into his training methods for dressage horses of all levels during a seminar at Rare Air Farm in South Britain, sponsored by Teikyo Post University in Waterbury.
The Newtown Bridle Lands Association holds its 21st annual Frost on the Pumpkin Pace at Joan Grahamâs Windover Farm on Mount Nebo Road. There were special awards presented, especially to those with the best costumes.
Marcye Britt and Patty Hall earn the Pleasure Division championship in the Associated Bridle Trails Series following the Frost on the Pumpkin Pace. Larry Mignone and Anthony Zumpano claim the Grand Champion Awards of the Associated Bridle Trails series. Other winners include Stephanie Clark in the Hunt Division, Ed Fish and Michelle Falcon in the Western division, and Gillian Pech and Rachel Pech in the Junior division.
NOVEMBER
Local artist Leslie Hudson-Tolles heads to Equine Affaire at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts, with a trailer of art work. More than 50,000 people attend the nearly four-day event.
Romantico HHF Fourth of Hamid Hill Farm in Woodbury, owned by Linda and Allan Hamid, wins fourth place in the Pfizer Open Freestyle Reining division at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. The Pfizer Open Freestyle Reining competition is a popular competition sanctioned by the National Reining Horse Association.
The Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard raises more than $4,000 for the St. Judeâs Childrenâs Research Hospital with a 10-mile trail ride. Riders asked sponsors to donate money based on each mile completed. The ride, under the direction of Corporal Laura Razowski, was very well attended.
DECEMBER
The Newtown Bridle Lands Association, in conjunction with the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard, has a successful Turkey Trot pleasure trail ride to benefit the FAITH Food Pantry at St. Johnâs Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook. Ed Dayton, Peter Concilio, Heather Heyburn and Dave Powell lead a group of fast riders while Karen DeFriesse, Tony Gregoras and Linda Myers lead a group of slower riders.
The Westminster Kennel Club opens and closes registrations for its 124th annual show in less than an hour, signing up 2,500 dogs in seven different groups.