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- Reid Pierce Armstrong photo Reid Pierce Horsing Sally Sledd of Richmond returns Around to the stables at Bridlewise Riding Academy in 52ßß2IVAHßß3EPTEMBERß e Hartfield. 2006 report compiled by the Virginia Department of Agriculture estimates that some 7,000 horses reside in the Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia, tucked away among the area’s creeks and rivers. That’s small beans compared to the Loudoun and Fauquier counties of the world, Abut in a region where 10,000 people make up a county, it’s a lot of horses. Horse lovers can find plenty of ways to enjoy themselves here. From weekly lessons to weeklong camps, saddleclubs to 4H, and fox hunting to rodeo, this area has it all. Discover some of the ways to horse around in Rivah Country. by Reid Pierce Armstrong Join the Club Betsy Witt was 47 years old the first “This is the thing I do for me,” said time she got on a horse. She had been Rebecca Raymo, another member of the watching her daughter ride for years and club, whose son takes riding lessons with kept thinking: ‘That looks like so much Jenkins. fun,’ she said. The ladies had just finished up with When her dad died in front of her an intensive two-day camp designed for three years ago, it was the kick-start she adults that focused on posture, commu- needed. She thought: ‘I’m 47, when am I nication, horse behavior and care. Each going to start living?’ day included tons of riding, a talk from a She started taking lessons with Jeannie specialist such as a horse masseuse and a Jenkins at Lost Cypress Farm. Witt now gourmet lunch. The camp was so popular owns her own horse and is a member of this summer that instructor Laura Gordon a local group of middle-aged women that said she had to add sessions. call themselves, jokingly, the Saddlebag For expert adult riders, there are nearby Club. Their motto is that riding is cheaper fox hunting clubs steeped in tradition. than therapy and twice as effective. Susan Sanders of White Stone and Jean- “It makes me feel so good,” Witt said, nie Jenkins of Wake are members of the who works as a 911 dispatcher when she’s newly formed Caroline Hunt. Debbie Scripture photo Debbie Scripture not in the riding ring. Sanders, a pharmacist by >> 54 Scripture Farms campers explore the Great Wicomico River. Take a hike Most people explore Rivah Country by car or boat, but to see it the way the early settlers did, try a tour on horse- back. Many stables offer trail rides to customers who have taken lessons. Several area stables offer trail rides down to the river, although most will want to ascertain a rider’s skill before taking the plunge. It’s a wild experience, said instructor Laura Gordon of Lost Cypress Farm, who swam with her horse for the first time ever this summer. “When they get wet, especially with their summer coats, it’s like riding a wet ice cube. They’re just really slippery,” said Jeannie Jenkins, owner of Lost Cypress Farm. “It takes a lot of leg muscle just to stay on.” But, it’s a great way to beat the summer heat and the horses truly seem to enjoy it, she added. “They are so graceful in the water.” For those who prefer not to get wet, a trip along the shore can be just as nice. Debbie Scripture >> 54 Debbie Scripture photo Debbie Scripture Beth Clarke on Wallymon shows off her Dressage-canter. eß3EPTEMBERßßß2IVAHßß53 >> day, began fox hunting with her grand- mother when she was a young girl. “I come from a long family tradition of foxhunters,” she said. She took a hiatus from horseback riding when she had her children, but returned to it later in life. Her daughter, now 19, rides with her in the hunt club and is a champion in national fox hunting circuits. “It’s a wonderful Virginia tradition,” she Armstrong photo Reid Pierce said. “I enjoy the pageantry of it – the lovely Jennaka York of Hartfield on Bubba and Rachel Champ of Mathews on Phyllis swim in the attire. It’s just one of those things that blows Rappahannock River on the last day of camp at Lost Cypress Farm. my skirt up.” Burgess grocer Erica Eubank moved to 53 >> takes her students and campers on trail rides the water. Club members often provide their com- the area with her husband several years ago down to the beach along the Great Wicomico River. panions with access to a variety of property for trail and decided that she needed a sport of her Stonehouse Stables in Toano offers guided tours riding. own. through York River State Park. Five miles of bridle Horse owners can also trailer their horses to multiuse “My husband was always playing golf, trails afford a glimpse of Virginia’s tidewater land- trails such as Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster, Beaver- hunting and fishing, and I was doing noth- scape, complete with views of Taskinas Creek and the dam Park in Gloucester or Sandy Point in King William ing, I needed a hobby other than my chil- York River. where they can create their own water adventure. dren,” she said. “I kept driving by these Joining a saddle club is another great way to access For a listing of trails and stables, see page 55. horses in a field and thinking about how much I would love to learn to ride.” Eubank called Debbie Scripture of Scrip- ture Stables and started taking lessons. Now, she owns two horses of her own and has started showing some in dressage com- Explore petitions. The Virginia Horse Council and Commonwealth Foxhounds will sponsor a trail ride and “I never thought I’d show,” she said. “I picnic lunch at Ingleside Plantation in Westmoreland County September 28. Trails will be was just looking for a hobby.” marked so riders can travel at their own speed. Different morning and afternoon routes will At Scripture Farms, Eubank found a be available for those who want to ride all day. A fried chicken lunch will be provided. The social outlet as well as a way to burn calo- afternoon ride will feature a stop for ice cream sundaes at the Westmoreland Berry Farm. ries. Riders must bring their own horses, a completed registration form and current coggins. The “Debbie inspired me to start showing. cost is $40 for VHC members and $50 for non-menbers. Visit virginiahorsecouncil.org to I’m not in it so much for the competition download a registration form. but to show off what I’ve learned. Riding has not only helped me get in shape, it’s changed my life.” Most riding instructors offer lessons to Head West adults, beginner and advanced alike. Saddle Western style enthusiasts may want to visit one of the area’s show grounds. The Mathews clubs typically form around a stable, so the Horse and Pony Club hosts events throughout the summer on Rt. 198 near the Dutton Post best way to get involved is to link up with Office. The next show is October 22 at 10 a.m. Call 758-2255 for more information. The a local stable. Fox hunting clubs require an Northern Neck Horse and Pony Club hosts shows on the second Saturday of each month at invitation to join, but welcome spectators the show grounds on Route 3 in Warsaw across from the ballfields. Upcoming shows begin and guests. For a listing of area clubs and at 1 p.m. September 13 and October 11. There is a $2 admission fee and refreshments are instructors, see page 55. available. For more information, call 540-775-9471. 54ßß2IVAHßß3EPTEMBERß e Wanted A Guide to Horsing Around the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula Veterinarians Bridle Creek Veterinary Clinic, 758-2211, Boarding/Sales Jamaica Pleasant Cove Farm, 435-6035, Dover Equine Veterinary, 769-1196, Aylett White Stone Kilmarnock Animal Hospital, 435-6320, Pidlin’ Acres, 758-1555, Saluda Kilmarnock Wheaten Point Farm, 436-1103, Warsaw Animal Clinic, 333-3433, Warsaw White Stone Heathsville Animal Hospital, 580-5135, Heathsville Horse Training/Lessons Bridlewise Riding Academy, 776-0606, Feed Stores Hartfi eld A&S Feed Supplies, 642-4940, Gloucester Morning Glory Farm, 580-5872, Lottsburg Point Scripture Farm, 580-6318, Wicomico 4 Bar W Feed and Supply, 693-7487, Church Gloucester EquestHunter Stables, 694-4875, Four Legs Feed Co., 758-0099, Locust Hill Gloucester, Middlesex Lawn and Garden, 758-3742, Patti Lomele, 694-0303, Gloucester Locust Hill Suzanne Parodi, 684-9936, Certifi ed Outlaw Farms Feed and Supply, 529- Instructor 5924, Callao Lost Cypress Farm, 776-6493, Wake Farm and Home Supply, 435-3177, Rein Dance Performance Horses, 769- Kilmarnock 3622 or 814-1182 Moughon’s, 725-2600, Mathews Dee Simpson, 693-9100, Gloucester Armstrong photo Reid Pierce Murphy Feed, 804-872-3712, Mt. Holly Cedar Creek Farm, 695-0943 or 757-713- Ingrid Stacia of Richmond and Cobbs Creek takes a 6169, Gloucester moment away from her chores to say hello to one of the Farriers Ed-El Farm, 516-4249, Aylett Morgan horses at Bridlewise Riding Academy. KC Forge Horseshoeing, Joe Cuthbert- Havers Hall Farm, 693-2560, Gloucester son, 436-6041, Lancaster Visner’s Horse Shoeing, 757-928-3202, Show Grounds Go Camping Gloucester Mathews Horse and Pony Club, 758- Hobby Horse Farm, Wayne Webb, 693- 2211, Mathews Summer camp is the ideal way to be immersed in the local horse 7883, Gloucester Northern Neck Horse and Pony Club, culture. Whether it’s overnight camp B&B style at Bridlewise Jeff Ford, 339-9128 540-775-9471, Warsaw Riding Academy, week-long day camp at the waterfront Scripture Roy Crader, 758-5050, Middlesex ARIA Farm, 769-1715, West Point Stables or an intensive three-day camp at Lost Cypress Farm, there Tony Harper, 642-5947, Gloucester Whippoorwill Farm, 366-8778, Shackl- are offerings around the region for all abilities and age groups.