Please join us for an end of season beach ride with members of the NBLA. There will be two groups going out, one a faster pace and the other slower.

Sunday, March 30, 2025 Arrival 10:00 a.m., Rider’s up 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Sherwood Island, Westport, CT Parking in the left lot, as you face the water.

Where: The Polo Room at Fairfield County Hunt Club, 174 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT

Cost: $49/ticket includes the lecture fee, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and the chance to have Nicole communicate with your horse.

Acclaimed animal communicator and equine behavior specialist Nicole Birkholzer will be sharing valuable insights to enhance the bond between riders and their equine partners. She is the author of Horse Logic and Pet Logic and hosts the "Let's Have a Chat" podcast. Nicole's approach combines traditional knowledge with intuitive insights, making her a sought-after speaker in the equestrian community.

Nicole Birkholzer will share the five key areas in a horse’s life that can offer ease or unease, potentially causing unexpected or undesired behaviors, and how to resolve them. Her expertise in equine behavior and communication gives attendees a unique perspective on understanding and interacting with their equine partners.

• Understanding Equine Behavior: Deciphering common behaviors and what they reveal about a horse's emotional and physical state.

• Mindful Communication Techniques: Hands-on practices to foster trust and mutual respect.

• Enhancing Performance: How clear, mindful communication leads to better performance in equestrian activities.

• Interactive Horse Communication: Participants will have the opportunity to send Nicole photos of their horses prior to the talk, with the chance for Nicole to communicate with a few of the horses during the presentation. (If you wish to participate in this portion of the lecture: Send two recent photos of your horse – a headshot and a full-body shot. Include the horses name, age, and a short description of the challenge or concern you’d like guidance on. Email everything to nbirkmc@gmail.com. During her talk, Nicole will select a few horses to connect with, offering real-time insights to support both horse and human.)

• Q&A Session: An interactive opportunity to address specific questions and gain personalized insights.

Photo of Nicole Birby Kristen Vallejo

Westport, Sherwood Island Connector, Westport, CT 06880, USA

SPACES ARE LIMITED, SO PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE COMING!

This is a clinic for current members of the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, Greenwich Riding and Trails Association and the Fairfield Bridle Trails Association who own their own horse trailer. The cost is FREE.

Most of us get a little nervous when it's time to back up our horse trailer. It really can be intimidating! This helpful clinic will teach you the basics of successfully backing up. We'll start with straight backing, then add in turning. It will take place at the East Parking Lot at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport (see map). Bring your own vehicle and trailer but not your horse please.

Limited to 12 trailers. We'll have several areas set up with cones to minimize waiting around.

Afterwards, let's tailgate! Bring a lunch and we'll have snacks and drinks… RSVP here

The FBTA invites you and a guest to the 2025 Season Kickoff Party (Potluck) on Saturday Jan. 11, from 1 – 5 pm at Deborah Webb’s home, 37 Compo Beach Rd., Westport. Please bring a dish to share and BYOB.

Kindly RSVP text 203-247-9841 or email: debwwebb@gmail.com Parking is at Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach. Map here. To the right of the marina is a gate leading to the grassy area footpath to 37 Compo Beach Rd.

Dress your horse up in bells and glitter and join us for a fun outing on the beach at Sherwood Island State Park. The NBLA will join us to make this big and festive! We will walk along the beach and the trails at the Park, returning to the parking lot for snacks.

This event is for FBTA and NBLA members only. We will be riding out at 10 AM so please arrive in plenty of time to park your trailer, tack up and get ready. If this is your first time bringing your horse to the beach, give yourself extra time to stay relaxed! Park in the East Beach parking area. Bring a pitchfork, any manure above the high tide line must be removed.

PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 6 TO ALISON JAMES (858) 864–0393

Meet up at 10:00 a.m. Riders Up at 10:30 a.m. to ride the beautiful trails in Newtown.

Park on Old Farm Road (left at end of Trades Lane). RSVP to Amy Smith 203-984-5666

Saturday June 29, gather at 1.30pm, presentation + activity 2pm – 4pm

Where: Greenfield Hill Barn, 205 Mile Common, Easton 06612

What: Learn about the Connecticut Horse Council, and participate in a hands on “Make your own Natural Horse Care Products Workshop”

Diane Ciano, President of the Connecticut Horse Council, will speak about the work of the Council, and explain how equestrians can help with Education/Outreach programs to promote horse welfare and educate other trail users.

Afterwards, Brenda Vynalek & Diane Ciano will lead a "Make Your Own Natural Horse Care Products" Workshop.

Learn how to make Mane Tamer, Ligament Relief Rub, Bug Repellant, Hoof Salve, Drawing Clay, and Wound Salve. Also favorite natural cleaning recipes for bits, saddles and buckets, along with mixtures for Anxiety, Hormones, and Focus. In this 1-hour class you will learn not only how to make your own natural products, quickly and easily, but you will see just how inexpensive this ‘do it yourself’ approach really is! All recipes will be available for free.

After the presentation, viewers will have the opportunity to make their own Thieves Cleaner Spray, Mane Detangler and Bug Repellent. The presentation is free to FBTA members. Participation in the product-making hands-on workshop is a $25.00 materials fee.

There are only 25 slots for the participatory part of the workshop, so please don’t delay! Reserve your spot using the Google Form link below. If you have any questions reach out to Diane via text/call at 203-910-9919 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYdseXxXF6qBbOYjMEbSIepqh2m65edFrSAo4ZxtIrsaPbLQ/viewform

Arrival 9:30 a.m., Riders Up 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Queen’s Grant, Fairfield

LOCATION: Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport, CT

Arrive at 9:30 a.m., Riders Up at 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Queen’s Grant, Fairfield, CT

Become a more informed polo spectator – or perhaps even a future player(!) – by joining members of both FBTA and NBLA for this educational event demonstrating the rules of the polo as well as the logic behind the tack and equipment.

$35. admission for non-member guests. FREE for 2024 members of FBTA and NBLA.

Location: Fairfield County Hunt Club, 174 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880

Riding Season Kick Off Beach Ride Sherwood Island Beach (It’s the last day that beach riding is allowed) Meet at 9:30 a.m. Riders Up 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Meet in East Beach parking lot on left side as you enter. Potluck tailgate afterwards in same parking lot, please bring food/drink to contribute.

$35. admission for non-member guests. FREE for 2024 members of FBTA.

Calling all former, current and future FBTA members – and those who support the work of FBTA! Come to the 2024 Kick-off Party, hear what FBTA has planned, and celebrate the New Year with your horse-loving friends. Pot luck, please bring a dish to share and drink of your choice.

LOCATION: Allison James and Jim Reesman’s home, 18 Webb Road, Westport, CT

Trot on down to the FBTA Jingle Bell Jog at Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT led by Amy Smith.

10:00 a.m. arrive, 10:30 a.m. Riders Up! Tailgate afterwards. Prize for Most Festive Dress for Horse & Rider.

Gather at 10:00 a.m, riders up at 10:30 am. Starting out from Fairfield County Hunt Club.

LOCATION: Please use the Bulkley Road entrance and park in the back of the field.

Two Divisions: Hunt & Hilltop. All jumps have go-arounds – all levels of riders welcome.
In both divisions: Ribbons to 6th place

First team out at 9 am, last team out at Noon. Entry Fees:  All registrations must be received by October 10th. $70 per person. No day of registrations. A light lunch is included in the entry fee. Additional lunches for non-riders are $10 per person. Must be included in pre-registration. Helmets are mandatory, proper footwear recommended. Proof of negative coggins within 2 years required. Coggins can be e-mailed ahead of time to fallpace@lkta.org. Limited water on grounds for horses. Please, no dogs allowed.

LOCATION: Neighbor’s Gun Club, 36 Burger Road, Rhinebeck, NY  12572

website: https:www.lkta.org/events/ email contact: fallpace@lkta.org For more information contact Eva at 914-388-1272

Start Time: 8:00 am. Spectators welcome! The Chipper Irish food truck will be on site or bring a picnic. There will be an award for the best decorated picnic set up! Riders: Pre-registration, payment, signed releases and negative coggins required to receive a start time. Entry fees: GRTA members $65, non-members $80. There will be a $20 fee for registering that day. 3 horse & larger trailers follow directions to Carrington Dr., Greenwich, CT for parking. No division changes will be made the day of the pace.

LOCATION: 238 June Rd, Stamford, CT

website: https://thegrta.org/hunter-pace-2/ email contact: Karen Tam at karentam1@gmail.com

This is the second pace of the Hudson Valley Pace Series. All English & Western riders are welcome to join for a hunt, hilltop, or untimed pleasure ride through 8.5 miles of gorgeous trails at Wethersfield Estate. There will be approximately 80 jumps, including many of our cross country schooling jumps (all jumps have go-arounds). Pace begins 9:00 AM for all divisions, last Hunt and Hilltop riders must be out by 12:00 pm. Pleasure riders depart no later than 12:30 PM. This event is rain or shine. Teams will go out on a first-come, first-served basis, there are no set start times. Teams can be of mixed disciplines & ages, but there must be no more than 3 riders per team.

Online registration ONLY. Cut-off date to register is October 4th. A bagged lunch will be provided. Vegan option available. Please note that Wethersfield trails will be closed to outside visitors on 10/8.

LOCATION: Wethersfield Farm, Amenia, NY

website: https://www.wethersfield.org/event/2023-hunter-pace/ email contact: equestrian@wethersfield.org Cassie Messina, 914-774-1236

2:30 pm riders gather, 3:00 pm Riders Up.

LOCATION: Queen’s Grant

The Old Chatham Hunt Club is the first event of the Hudson Valley Pace Series for the 2023 season! Whether you’re a fox hunter, trail rider, eventer, pleasure rider or seasoned “pacer”, the Old Chatam Hunt Club welcomes everyone to come ride and enjoy the beautiful Hunt Country of Columbia County. The pace runs through some of the prettiest vistas around offering a combination of rolling hills, wooden trails, farm land, picturesque barns, views of the Catskills Mountains, stream crossings and the opportunity to jump logs and coops. All fences have go arounds and there are quite a few baby logs for the newbies.

LOCATION: Good Hope Farm, 4334 Kinder Hill Blvd., Malden Bridge, NY

website: https://oldchathamhuntclub.com/hunter-pace/ email contact: ochc.hunterpace@gmail.com