Trail ride raffle winners to divide a ton of horse feed

New Windsor — The Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition will award 2000 pounds of horse feed to five raffle-winning riders that register for its Stewart State Forest Victory Trail Ride on Sunday, May 6. This opportunity for the horse-loving participants at the ride is thanks to the support and generosity of Hudson Valley Farm Supply, in Middletown. Owner Charles H. Thompson, has been a supplier of dairy needs for the past 25 years, and he understands how important it is to save land in rapidly developing Orange County. Hundreds of acres in the Stewart State Forest are under cultivation. As a supporter of the coalition’s efforts in saving Stewart State Forest, he is making this donation to the Seventh Annual Trail Ride. This premium horse feed is produced by a family owned business in Vermont, Poulin’s, and will now be available locally for the first time. Thompson joins many other individuals and businesses. Last year’s ride had numerous sponsors and over 200 participants, both on horseback and on the wagon rides conducted by Denman Farms. Registration begins at 8 a.m., in the north parking lot on Ridge Road, at Stewart State Forest. Ridiers can choose their donation fee level at $15, $20 or $30 dollars, and can choose between two trails: Smooth ‘n Easy or Rough ‘n Ready. A place on the two-hour wagon ride behind a three-mule or three-horse team will be $20 per person. The wagon ride leaves at 11 a.m. The horses will get courtesy carrots, but human lunches are available by pre-order for $6. Wagon seats must also be reserved, and they are limited. Proceeds from the ride will go to SPARC’s Legal Fund. For reservations and information, call Linda Meyer, event chairperson, at 895-3409, or e-mail sparc@frontiernet.net. Visit www.sparc.info for information and a registration form.