Holy guacamole! This has been the most bizarre time in the history of the LCRVHC—and maybe the USA. I don’t even know what to say. I am just so grateful to have my horse on my own property and my local horse friends/support group and to be able to ride right out my back door. It has (almost) saved my sanity. 2020, you can go now—and take Covid-19 with you—don’t let the door hit you on your way out!

Membership renewals—wow—back in March I said “this will be your last newsletter if you have not renewed.” And then the world came to a screeching halt. So . . . we did not drop anyone from the list but if you could please support the club and send your renewals it would be appreciated. If you join for the hunter pace to get your discount we will count membership toward next year. Our awesome mem-bership secretary, Alyce is trying to keep this all straight—please write clearly. A membership form is included in this newsletter and always available on our website. Thank you to everyone who has renewed. And welcome new members!

Some Recent (and not so recent) Programs & Activities On March 15 we held a member-only Ides of March Ride at Bluff Point—it was somehow prophetic. When we returned to the parking area we were overwhelmed. It seemed the state had shut down and the only places open were state parks—and most of the state was at Bluff Point! Pictures page 3. We met some potential new members but then we went into quarantine and . . . Since then we have had some small group rides, worked on the trails in Weber Woods and Clinton Land Trust, and practiced our social distancing (made easier by keeping a horse length apart) with trail rides at Machimoodus, Chatfield Hollow, Pattaconk, and Hurd Park, among others.

On July 25 there was a member-only ride at Hurd park. Liz, Nancy, Alyce, Kris Pierce, Glenna Hodge and I rode for about 2 hours and had a lovely time, prefect weather. Thanks to Kris for leading. We are finally getting to know our way around the park. Pictures on page 4.

On August 22, Liz, Nancy, and I accepted the Cheshire Horse Council’s invitation to the (rescheduled from May 16) Blessing of the Mounts at John and Christine Barry’s ranch in Cheshire. See pictures on pages 5 and 6. The blessing was followed by a 2 hour trail ride and a social distanced picnic.

Tropical Storm Isaias did a number on our trails (and my horse trailer :-( ) so we have been doing some cleanup. A positive thing about the heavy trail use during the pandemic is we have had lots of “elves” out there cleaning up as well.

On Labor Day Liz organized a member-only ride followed by another socially distanced picnic at Dave and Julie’s. I brought my saw and we were able to clean up some mess on the hunter pace route. Six riders: me, Hannah, Liz, Nancy, Lynn, and Julie. Alyce, Caitlin, and Evelyn joined us for lunch. Thanks to Dave and Julie for hosting, mowing, and setup. See pictures pages 7 and 8. Fingers crossed no more big storms until after October 11!

Speaking of October 11, we have decided to go ahead with the hunter pace. We think we can do it safely and it is our only fundraiser, paying for insurance and important stuff like that. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Print and post. Help with marking. Come and ride in it. Support your club. Pray for good weather! Tell your friends! Flyer and entry in this newsletter. Photographer Judy Bosco will be there.
Please see the Upcoming Events box on the first page and the Calendar on the last page for more activities. We always need ideas for the calendar!

I hope to see you soon!
Melissa

PS LCRVHC membership is really a bargain at only $15 annually for individual, $25 for family. If you have friends you ride with or know people who are interested in trail riding with small groups or working on local trails, spread the word. And please, I can’t say it often enough, tell us what you want to do as a club!

Spring has sprung! Though we really can’t complain—we had such a mild winter. Membership renewals are now late—get them in now so you don’t miss any of the fun—this will be your last newsletter if you have not renewed. A membership form is included in this newsletter and always available on our web-site. Thank you to everyone who renewed at the winter party and at the planning meeting. And welcome new members!

Some Recent Programs and Activities
Our annual winter holiday party on February 1 was well attended. Thirty-five members and guests crowded Kris-tin and Mark’s house for an evening of fun, friendship, and fabulous food. A raffle raised $234 for the Bridle Path Conservancy to use toward bridges. Thank you to everyone who participated and our hosts! See pictures on pages 3–4.

On Groundhog Day, Nancy joined me for a work/ride in Weber Woods. We worked on putting a second nail in most of the markers on the green trail that got short-changed last summer. Went back on the 23rd with Liz, Hanah, and Carolyn and pretty much finished. Pictures on page 5. Still need to do the blue trail. It’s on my list!

On February 16 we had an impromptu member-ride at Machimoodus. There were several trees down that we picked our way around but the rest of the trails were great.

On February 17 Liz, Nancy, Alyce, and I worked on the Quinimay from Pattaconk to Beaver Meadow, replacing missing markers, clearing, and trimming. We ran out of time so Liz and I went back on the 29th. Could still use more work but it’s a lot better. There is a lot of erosion from the heavy rains in the steeper areas. If anyone is interested in helping with this kind of project, please email [email protected]. Also, if you have a tractor and could spare some time, we have some stone to spread. DEEP had some extra from another project and Alex decided it could be used at Weber Woods. Also John Barry offered to donate five loads of stone for trail projects. Thank you John!

Our annual Pizza and Planning meeting was held on February 21 at Alyce’s house. More than 20 people attended and it was very productive. We filled out our calendar with at least one ride or activity every month for the year. If anyone wants to add activities or rides, we would love it! Also at the meeting Diane Ciano, Meg Sautter, and Ruth Strontzer presented the results of the horse camping survey that was done last summer. They were asking for our support in presenting to the DEEP and they have it. See minutes pages 8–9. On February 26 Beverly and I represented LCRVHC/ BPC at a meeting with the DEEP area supervisors regarding a possible horse camp at Machimoodus and Sunrise and another at Cockaponsett north of Turkey Hill Reservoir. Alex Sokolow and Jack Hynes were very supportive and will work on going up the chain with the state. As we all know, state government moves slowly and doesn’t want to spend any money, but we left with a positive vibe.

On February 27, several LCRVHC members who are also Volunteer Horse Patrol participated in our bi-annual CPR re-certification. See photos page 7.

On March 7, at least nine LCRVHC members including myself, Lynda, Barbara White, Gina McManus, the Clouses, Christel Maturo, Rain Chocholka, and Ruth Strontzer (there may have been more, this is from memory) attended the annual meeting of the CHC-VHP where several of us recieved recognition for patrol/maintenance hours. Diane and Ruth gave attendees an update on the horse camp plan.

Please see the Upcoming Events box on the first page and the Calendar on the last page for more activities. We always need ideas for the calendar!

I hope to see you soon!
Melissa

PS LCRVHC membership is really a bargain at only $15 annually for individual, $25 for family. If you have friends you ride with or know people who are interested in trail riding with small groups or working on local trails, spread the word. And please, I can’t say it often enough, tell us what you want to do as a club!