New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the completion of a three-year project to reconstruct 36 bridge crossings along the Brookfield Trail System in the towns of Hamilton and Brookfield, Madison County. The popular recreation trails provide more than 100 miles of opportunity for hikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. [Read more…] about 36 Bridges Replaced Along 100-Mile Brookfield Trail System
Horses
Forest Rangers Aid Paddlers, Hikers, Equestrian; Fight Fire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the around New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Aid Paddlers, Hikers, Equestrian; Fight Fire
Saratoga Horse Racing Museum Reopening Sept 5th
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs is set to reopen to the public on Saturday, September 5th.
The Museum has been closed since January for the installation of a new state-of-the-art Hall of Fame experience as well as multiple new and updated exhibitions. [Read more…] about Saratoga Horse Racing Museum Reopening Sept 5th
Overnight Camping Suspended at Otter Creek
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has temporarily suspended all overnight camping at the Otter Creek Horse Trail facility, effective immediately, to help limit the community spread of COVID-19. [Read more…] about Overnight Camping Suspended at Otter Creek
Comments Sought on Brookfield Trail System
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that the agency is accepting public comments on regulatory proposals for the Brookfield Trail System at the Moscow Hill Camping and Assembly areas in Madison County.
[Read more…] about Comments Sought on Brookfield Trail System
New Barn in Goshen Preserves Horse Racing Tradition
A little more than two years after a devastating fire Goshen Historic Track has added a new page to its history. Considered among the world’s oldest active harness racing tracks, the Orange County facility recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate a newly constructed barn and horse stalls on the site of the old BOCES Barn that was partially destroyed by the fire on August 23, 2017. [Read more…] about New Barn in Goshen Preserves Horse Racing Tradition
Once Common Horse Blocks Weren’t Just for Horses and Carriages
The most popular genre by far on nighttime television through the 1960s? Westerns. While children were allowed to watch some of them, several shows specifically geared towards the younger set were shown on Saturday morning. Watching heroes — Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, and Zorro, three of the best — escape tense situations and catch bad guys was unforgettable.
Among the skills of any cowboy star (or stuntman stand-in) worth his salt were the hurried mounting and high-speed dismounting of horses (usually their own faithful steed, of course). It’s an impressive feat when you consider that horses are pretty high off the ground — which brings us to our main subject: how to get down off a horse. [Read more…] about Once Common Horse Blocks Weren’t Just for Horses and Carriages
Kentucky Derby Day at Goshen Historic Track May 4th
The Goshen Historic Track has announced the Fifth Annual Kentucky Derby Day has been set for Saturday, May 4th, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
Visitors can watch the Kentucky Derby races simulcast on several large screen TVs while enjoying the rest of the day’s festivities that also feature a family-style BBQ food, beer, wine and soda. OTB will be available. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and more. [Read more…] about Kentucky Derby Day at Goshen Historic Track May 4th
Groundbreaking at Goshen Historic Track
There will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the BOCES barn at one of Orange County, New York’s most distinctive landmarks, Goshen Historic Track, which opened in 1838.
Partially destroyed by a fire in 2017, the world’s oldest operating harness racing track is rebuilding to preserve a uniquely American tradition and continue serving as a community greenspace. The BOCES barn, so named because it was an extension of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, functioned as a training center focusing on equestrian care and farm management. The Track’s historic blacksmith and farrier shop was also lost in the fire.
Equestrian Heritage on Long Island
If you wanted to hunt foxes, play polo, or just train horses around New York in the late 1800s, Long Island was the place to go. On the latest episode of The Long Island History Project, we explore this equestrian heritage with our guest Katie Robbins. Our subject is Katie’s ancestor Clarence H. Robbins, consumate cross country rider, horse trainer, and master of the hounds. He ran with Belmonts and Vanderbilts while avoiding the limelight himself although later generations would come to know his son, noted fantasy author Tod Robbins. [Read more…] about Equestrian Heritage on Long Island