Sunday October 26th was the Fifth Annual Open House at Muttontown Preserve with NSHA. The event was once again sponsored by Chestnut Vale Feeds on Duffy Ave in Hicksville. This year, MHA members, Long Island Horse Properties (Sharyn Guzzi) and BFree Hanger Designs and Display (Sandy and Bert Spitz), generously made additional donations to defray the cost of the event.
Our demonstrators were Spirit of America, IHA's drill team; Jenny Guzzi as both barrel racer and jumping exhibitor; Indian Head Youth Drill Team and Sonny Garguilo & Sis, Natural Horsemanship (also with mustang America).
Lakewood Stables of West Hempstead supplied the ponies and horses for the free rides for both adults and children. Judy M. brought her horses and allowed children and adults to experience rudimentary Natural Horsemanship training methods. The children could also groom and brush and feed treats to the horses.
Various display tables were set up - Len Marks Equine Photography, The Hay Loft, Suffolk County SPCA and Indian Head ranch concerning the rescued abused horses, Cornell Co-operative Extension, 4-H Camp and Sonny's America Rides for Autism, NSHA. A new display was of pictures and narratives showing the past history of the Preserve. Village of Muttontown historian, Betty G assisted Kathleen K in assembling the exhibit.
This year the free lunch consisted of heros from Fairway of Plainview-roast beef, turkey, grilled veggies, grilled chicken-along with green salads, macaroni & potato salads and for dessert, sheet cakes. Apple cider was donated courtesy of MHA member, Jericho Cider Mill.
A Halloween theme dominated this year's event. The Spirit of America drill team dressed in costumes with masks and flowing capes, and several children and adults attended in costume. Mayor Julianne Beckerman awarded prizes to all participants in costume. Also for children, Kathleen K and Pat V worked up a Treat Trail for walkers. Hidden in the woods on a marked trail were treat and fake creepy crawlies and halloween spooks. Riders this year followed a marked trail and found candy & tickets in pumpkins which afforded them a chance to win some goodies.
Raffle items were donated by Lakewood Stables, Christina's Epicure of Eat Norwich, Go West of Bohemia, Horse Directory, Alicia Lazerak and baskets of wine.
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Len Marks Equine Photography
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Lakewood Pony and Minnie Mouse
ED WRIGLEY MEMORIAL PACE
Thanks to Phyllis and the members of her Pace team who waded through mosquitos and bugs to mark the trails and WORRIED about missing markers. Thanks also to all the trail clearers who swatted mosquitos, clipped branches and WORKED in the heat and humidity. Thanks also for the support of the Smithtown Hunt teams who RODE the route in the iffy weather. The rains held off, the ground was fine and the Pace became a reality. The Pace, due to generosity of the donators, did well financially and supported Ed's Hound Fund.
Thank you Ed, for your vision. We were glad to have carried out your wish.
First Place-Adult-Stacy Karayiannis from Connecticut and local Roxanne Moselh-Tarasuk. First Place-Junior-Jillian S. and Kendal S. Winners received embroidered saddle pads, compliments of Marge Wrigley and the Riding Shop.
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Eagle Scout Matt S. completed his project of restoring the small ring in the Equine area of the Preserve. His parents, siblings, friends and scout troop pitched in to assist in the removal of the battered but "hard-to-rmove" posts and replaced them with new posts. The hard workers then placed rails (new and recycled) to complete the job. Thanks so much everyone that helped out with funds and labor and best wishes. Matt is with Syosset Troop #170, headed by Scoutmaster John McCaffrey.
Trail clearing went well. Thank you to George Bollag and the Sfera family for the lunch donations.
April 2008 trail clearing went to the "cubs" this year! In addition to the usual core crew of MHA members, Cub Scout Pack 310 from Huntington volunteered this year. The lads were escorted by adults Patty, Jamie, Darryl, Paul, Peggy, Anne, Jeff and Jennifer. Working hard were: Boy Scout: Shaun C., Webelos: Dylan C., Ben H., Walter C., Jack O.., Andrew G. Wolf: Luke E., Will H., Ryan M., Tim L., Rashad C. The cubs also convinced friends and siblings to join them-Willy, Sam H., and Aaron O.
Thank you all. The energy these boys had was amazing. No wonder there were so many adults!
Attending from MHA, we had Diane and Tony, who handled the heavier jobs with Diane's sturdy vehicle. The Harvey quad was in service again this year, transporting the workers to the distant problems. Lunch was provided by George B and the Steve/Kira S.
