(Note: Click any of the images below to view larger versions.)
Two words can sum up
the Tenth Annual Friends of Connetquot Fun Trail
Ride - - many thanks! To the 150 riders, sponsors,
food and prize donors, and volunteers who made this
the best one ever, we salute you! Over $7,000.00 was
raised for the benefit of the Preserve, enabling the
Friends to continue improvements and upgrades for
this Long Island “paradise”, considered one of the
most horse-friendly parks in the country.
 The weather co-operated nicely with the Sunday, May
6th noon starting time, drawing riders and their
families from the East End, Westchester,
Connecticut, and, of course, our own local Long
Island mainstay supporters. It was worth the
donation just to view the many varied horse breeds
and get together with friends over coffee and bagels
from the start, then delicious hot and cold lunch
dishes and desserts, where there was something for
everyone.
 Riders relaxed on the bridle paths in groups at
their own pace for a casual, non-structured day.
Non-riders enjoyed tours of the historic buildings
overlooking the mill, now in the process of
restoration, and viewed all manner of waterfowl as
well as osprey diving for tasty trout. Bridle path
maps, flyers, and brochure information on the many
programs and events at the Preserve were available
to all.
 Trailers were already pulling in by 10:30 A.M., ably
parked by volunteer Charles Arciello, and all riders
had a chance to enjoy snacks and lunch as we
thankfully had a small army of volunteers to hold
horses: Tom and Nina Conroy, Doug and Jean Kruger
(who also provided the barbeque), Peri Chesarelli
(who came all the way from Little Neck, Queens, to
help!), Cathy and Ken Wilvert and their girls, and
Ken and Annette Leitch, who also very kindly picked
up the luncheon heroes, party bagels, antipasto
platters, and salads.
 With lunch open from 1:00 P.M. on, the only time
structured was for 3:30 P.M., when the Chinese
raffle prizes were drawn for promptly so folks could
get their horses home. Gil Bergen, Superintendent of
the Preserve, was on hand to greet everyone and
offer a cup of delicious, award-winning seafood
bisque donated by the Snapper Inn, or chili, with
meat or vegetarian, made by Rita Trapani. Pat
Costello and Tom and Nina Conroy assisted Jerry in
preparing the tables for the sumptuous luncheon
feast and raffle prize display.
Friends of Connetquot Board Members Bettina Brownyard, Dottie Andersen, and Bob Hoover worked
all through the event, registering participants,
selling raffle tickets, and commemorative collector
FOC tee-shirts, sweatshirts, golf shirts, and canvas
totes. Nearby a sign was displayed, honoring the
many generous sponsors, food, and raffle prize
 donors, and volunteers: Smithtown Hunt,
Nassau-Suffolk Horseman’s Association, Pete Engleman
/ Engleman Energy, Mark du Moulin, Dawn Electric,
Annette & Ken Leitch, Connetquot Chiropractic
Clinic, Dr. James Lambert, Vincent Daley /Farm
Family , A-1 Realty Network of Homes, Chris and Gigi
Simonetti, Landscaping by Christopher Pratt,
Paumanok Driving Club of Long Island, Long Island
Equine Medical Center, Dr. Gregory Beroza, Terrace
Garden Deli, The Snapper Inn, Jerry & Rita Trapani,
C&L Terrace Café, Bagels on the Terrace, East Islip
Bagels, A-S Pork Store, Audrey’s Bakery, Stanley’s
Bakery, Great River Supply, Lakewood Stables,
Neptune
 Feed, Andrew Goetz’s Sons, Island Park Food
Distributors, Diamante Jewelers, Pete & Lissa
Columbo, Barney Loughlin, Loughlin Vineyards, Spur
of the Moment Photography, Country Farms, Life Data
Labs, Farriers Formula, Barry’s Saddlery, Knoll
Farm, Janine Ewald, Colorhorse, Rider’s Choice
Saddlery, Outlaw Acres, Smucker’s Harness, Bethpage
Park Stables, Port Jefferson Agway,
LIhorsecommunity.com, Tony & Allison Simonetti, The
Riding Shop, Wendy Hodor, Marianne Flanagan of
Triple F Farm, Shirley Feed,
 Bettina Brownyard, CM
Arts Center, Minieri’s Parkview Stables, Minieri’s
High T’s Tack Shop, Jamaica Bay Riding Academy,
Sweet Hills Riding Center, Willow Rock Farm, Shadbelly Farm, Wendy Burling, Dr. Charles Montagna,
Dawn Aquaviva Roth, and Papa’s Farm & Feed, Doug and
Jean Kruger, Tom and Nina Conroy, Cathy and Ken
Wilvert and Family, Charles Arciello, Ken and
Annette Leitch, Peri Chesarelli, Pat Costello, Brian
Behonic, and our Preserve Superintendent, Gil
Bergen.
The Friends of Connetquot have a special opportunity
to get a matching grant of $40,000 dollars from a
generous former member, provided we raise $40,000 in
donations or pledges by October 1st 2007. Please
help us meet this goal. Every new dollar counts
towards this generous goal.
The Friends of Connetquot Gala open house is the
first Sunday in October, come on out for a great
time, more prizes, silent and live auctions,
entertainment and food from some of the most
prestigious restaurants on Long Island. The 2008
Eleventh Annual Trail Ride will be held on the first
Sunday in May, and we look forward to seeing you! If
you would like information about the Friends of
Connetquot, kindly write for information : The
Friends of Connetquot, Box 472, Oakdale, New York
11769-0472. |
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