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A young rider takes part in a ride to raise funds. Jim Goodwin photo.
On a brilliant July day, 60 riders enjoyed the pristine woods and fields of one of the oldest farms in Pomfret. The second Chandler Farm Hunter Pace was hosted by owners Katy Holzer, Alex Williams, and Marjorie Corker-Holzer as a fund-raiser for the Pomfret Horse and Trail Association (PHTA). Pomfret Horse and Trail is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization established in 2007 to preserve the local centuries-old trail system for riders and hikers. Proceeds from fund-raisers are donated to the Wyndham Land Trust, the Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret, the Last Green Valley, the New England Forestry Foundation, the Connecticut Horse Council, and the Windham-Tolland 4-H Horse Camp.
Katy and Alex worked for months to build jumps and cut trails through woods and fields. They created a six-mile, family-friendly trail with jumps for all levels of riding. Riders competed in divisions which ranged from jumping to slower-paced trail riding. They aimed for a fox-hunting pace which adjusts for the terrain and simulates the varying speeds of following hounds. Times ranged from 54 minutes in the Jumper Division to nearly two hours for Trail Blazers. Lisette Rimer, who placed fourth in Trail Blazers, said, “Everyone can ride at their own pace. Older riders like me can ride slowly and still be in the ribbons.”
The course began at Chandler Farm established in 1708 in the north end of Pomfret. It continued through neighboring land thanks to the generosity of owners Barbara Lussier, Robert Craig, and the Wyndham Land Trust
Ride secretary Susan Jackson said the history and the beauty of the property made the event a privilege to ride. “Families have been farming this property for hundreds of years. We are incredibly fortunate to have landowners who still farm the land and who support our mission of preserving trails. We could not offer our fund-raising events without them.”
The next event for Pomfret Horse and Trail will be a Fall Foliage Ride Oct. 16 on the Cabbage Hill Preserve in Woodstock that was recently donated to Wyndham Land Trust. For more information, go to: www.pomfrethorseandtrail.com.
By Lisette Rimer, VP Pomfret Horse and Trail Association
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