This year’s Pipestave Hill Adventure Trail Day, an ECTA fundraiser sponsored by the West Newbury Riding and Driving Club, drew 47 riders to the white fences atop Pipestave Hill on an overcast Sept 13. This year’s route wound throughout the Mill Pond Trail network, before crossing Main Street into the Riverbend Conservation Area. There, teams had the option of exploring all the new trails, bridges over the Indian River, and boardwalks, then passing through Riverbend West, or taking a shorter route that avoided the wooden walkways. Most riders chose the longer, 6 mile route, that continued along the Merrimack River from River Road, before rejoining the shorter route and climbing back up behind Page School and back to the rings on Pipestave Hill. A myriad of “adventures” awaited horses and riders at the end, included both a ring full of inviting low-level stadium jumps and a second ring containing an assortment of novel experiences requiring courage, athleticism and flexibility to negotiate.
All the proceeds from Adventure Trail, after expenses, go toward the WNRDC’s annual donation to ECTA, and this year should total $1,200.00
The event was again, most ably managed by Sophiea Bitel, with volunteer help from many ECTA friends and WNRDC members, including Ellen Alden, Becky Listwan, Denise Atherton, and Kathy Feehery along with other friends and parents. Special thanks to the West Newbury Open Space Committee and Steve Greason whose hard work, trail marks and excellent maps kept everyone on track. The event is always a popular outing, and draws young and old riders from near and far seeking a pleasurable, non-competitive, quiet ride on beautiful, well groomed trails. Those trails are still in great shape and welcome everyone, whether walkers, riders or mountain bikers this Fall.