Tenth Annual Friends of Connetquot Fun Trail Ride - 2007

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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.

Thank you all,
Jerry and Rita Trapani event chairs