NOTICE TO ALL PLEASE READ!
Dear Tunbridge Trail Riders,
What a beautiful weekend we all enjoyed at the 22nd Annual Tunbridge Fall Foliage Trail Ride in September of 2023.
You ALL, along with our landowners, make this ride possible and we Thank-You for your Participation and your Enthusiasm.
WE all enjoy the beautiful trails courtesy of the Tunbridge property owners and the community of Tunbridge.
Unfortunately, last year’s ride was met with some very upset townspeople and landowners. We are guests in the town of Tunbridge, and we are allowed to be there out of the sheer generosity of the landowners. Thus, the reason for this group letter.
It seems that some riders don’t realize how important it is to respect and listen to the wishes of the property owners and the rules of the Dog River Horse Club.
On Sunday afternoon of the ride, we had “Visits” from some very upset property owners.
Here are the issues that need to be addressed:
1. Since the owner of the big field we cross at the south end of the fairgrounds would not let us cross his field, we were forced to use the State Road. Instead of riders going single file down the side of the road and staying on the edge of the road, riders were seen going 3 abreast blocking the southbound lane of traffic. This caused traffic to stop and or being forced to pass in the northbound lane. Can you imagine how this appeared to the townspeople and or landowners that were gracious enough to let us use their land?
2. A dear sweet lady who loves seeing the horses pass her home asked, “Why horse and rider needed to be on her lawn and almost up to her house windows when going by instead of using the road”? She asked why her lawn needed to be dug up with hoof prints. How do we answer that question? We honestly don’t know.
3. And most disturbing of all is the homeowner who was very angry about the horses that were on their lawn and actually went into their septic system leach field causing damage. We must now try to restore good will and make this right with the homeowner.
4. Every year we deal with riders who go on people’s lawns, into fields, driveways and even ponds. Tunbridge is a very small and tight knit community, the people stick together and news travels quickly. I HOPE this is NOT the type of news we want to be known for as a group.
The committee needs to make EVERY rider aware that this disrespect to landowners and behavior is UNACCEPTABLE. Our reputations as horse owners and riders and Dog River Horse Club must be portrayed as a group that is respectful, courteous, grateful and appreciative.
The ability to ride these trails and use the village of Tunbridge is in danger of being revoked. The Tunbridge Fair Committee does not have to renew our contract at the end of this year. Wouldn’t it be heartbreaking for ALL of us to lose “The Best Trail Ride of The Season” because of disrespectful behavior by a select few?
What we are asking is the following:
1. We all are vigilant of where our horses are stepping.
2. Where the trails are and staying on the Trail.
3. If we see someone not following the rules and designated route to politely and courteously ask them to get back on track.
4.And that we all take ownership of the need to be respectful to the people and the land.
REMEMBER: No landowners, NO Trails, NO Ride and No renewed contract and NO welcome back.
WE also understand that accidents and situations can happen. If something happens let the committee know immediately so we can try to mitigate it right away.
It is a privilege and a gift to have this opportunity in Tunbridge. Let’s make our reputation be one of the best groups to be there, WE Can Do IT!!!!!
Thank-You to all of you who come, who promote this ride, who bring friends, who help us grow and who flood face book with such glowing reviews of the ride. This is why we do what we do----for the love of this ride!!!
Respectfully,
The Dog River Horse Club Committee
Dear Tunbridge Trail Riders,
What a beautiful weekend we all enjoyed at the 22nd Annual Tunbridge Fall Foliage Trail Ride in September of 2023.
You ALL, along with our landowners, make this ride possible and we Thank-You for your Participation and your Enthusiasm.
WE all enjoy the beautiful trails courtesy of the Tunbridge property owners and the community of Tunbridge.
Unfortunately, last year’s ride was met with some very upset townspeople and landowners. We are guests in the town of Tunbridge, and we are allowed to be there out of the sheer generosity of the landowners. Thus, the reason for this group letter.
It seems that some riders don’t realize how important it is to respect and listen to the wishes of the property owners and the rules of the Dog River Horse Club.
On Sunday afternoon of the ride, we had “Visits” from some very upset property owners.
Here are the issues that need to be addressed:
1. Since the owner of the big field we cross at the south end of the fairgrounds would not let us cross his field, we were forced to use the State Road. Instead of riders going single file down the side of the road and staying on the edge of the road, riders were seen going 3 abreast blocking the southbound lane of traffic. This caused traffic to stop and or being forced to pass in the northbound lane. Can you imagine how this appeared to the townspeople and or landowners that were gracious enough to let us use their land?
2. A dear sweet lady who loves seeing the horses pass her home asked, “Why horse and rider needed to be on her lawn and almost up to her house windows when going by instead of using the road”? She asked why her lawn needed to be dug up with hoof prints. How do we answer that question? We honestly don’t know.
3. And most disturbing of all is the homeowner who was very angry about the horses that were on their lawn and actually went into their septic system leach field causing damage. We must now try to restore good will and make this right with the homeowner.
4. Every year we deal with riders who go on people’s lawns, into fields, driveways and even ponds. Tunbridge is a very small and tight knit community, the people stick together and news travels quickly. I HOPE this is NOT the type of news we want to be known for as a group.
The committee needs to make EVERY rider aware that this disrespect to landowners and behavior is UNACCEPTABLE. Our reputations as horse owners and riders and Dog River Horse Club must be portrayed as a group that is respectful, courteous, grateful and appreciative.
The ability to ride these trails and use the village of Tunbridge is in danger of being revoked. The Tunbridge Fair Committee does not have to renew our contract at the end of this year. Wouldn’t it be heartbreaking for ALL of us to lose “The Best Trail Ride of The Season” because of disrespectful behavior by a select few?
What we are asking is the following:
1. We all are vigilant of where our horses are stepping.
2. Where the trails are and staying on the Trail.
3. If we see someone not following the rules and designated route to politely and courteously ask them to get back on track.
4.And that we all take ownership of the need to be respectful to the people and the land.
REMEMBER: No landowners, NO Trails, NO Ride and No renewed contract and NO welcome back.
WE also understand that accidents and situations can happen. If something happens let the committee know immediately so we can try to mitigate it right away.
It is a privilege and a gift to have this opportunity in Tunbridge. Let’s make our reputation be one of the best groups to be there, WE Can Do IT!!!!!
Thank-You to all of you who come, who promote this ride, who bring friends, who help us grow and who flood face book with such glowing reviews of the ride. This is why we do what we do----for the love of this ride!!!
Respectfully,
The Dog River Horse Club Committee
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2024 Tunbridge Ride Entry Form
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Scholarship Form
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