Sunnyfield Farm from way back?

[MHM]

[QUOTE=STA;6667695]

Someone mentioned they remember hacking over to Sunnyfield from Shannon. You would be taking your life into your hands if you tried that today. lol The area is very populated now compared to then.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing. Probably not as much hacking through that countryside these days.

[MEADOWLARK]

You can still hack around there. The BRLA has an extensive trail system.
the current owner of Donagal brought about 80 acres and there is a GP field and lots of paddocks. The barn is still not fancy.

[RyuEquestrian]

Gorgeous farm, I used to pass it all the time when I rode at Coker Farm in Bedford. Does Lendon Grey still teach out of there?

[Janet]

[QUOTE=STA;6667695]

Someone mentioned they remember hacking over to Sunnyfield from Shannon. You would be taking your life into your hands if you tried that today. lol The area is very populated now compared to then.[/QUOTE]
Actually, that section of Guard Hill Rd is remarkably unchanged since the 60s.

Besides which, if you were hacking from Shannon to Sunnyfield, you would use the BRLA (formerly PLA) trail , not the road. The last BRLA map I looked at (within the last 5 years) still showed that trail, and Google Maps shows the route of the trail as a mixture of woods and open fields

[joiedevie99]

I currently keep a horse at Sunnyfield. That trail was still intact the last time I rode it- which was sometime last year. It’s quite easy- you go out the back of the Sunnyfield property to a water tower on the top of the hill behind the Neilsen’s house- then pick up the BRLA trail that takes you right down to Shannon.

[MyGiantPony]

Jeanne is going to be thrilled to read this thread. She was so worried it had been lost to development.

[Janet]

[QUOTE=MHM;6667710]
I was thinking the same thing. Probably not as much hacking through that countryside these days.[/QUOTE]

BRLA maintains over 100 miles of trails. Plenty of opportunity for hacking through the countryside.

[BAC]

@Janet;6665875

It is a published book, called “Horse Show” by Pat Johnson. About half text and half pictures. I think the copyright is 1962.

I have an old book that fits that description, I have to remember to check at home and see if it might be the same one. I don’t remember the title or author, but its mostly pictures taken at a horse show during the same era, although I don’t remember if there were any pictures indoors.

[bonstet]

[QUOTE=joiedevie99;6667845]
I currently keep a horse at Sunnyfield. That trail was still intact the last time I rode it- which was sometime last year. It’s quite easy- you go out the back of the Sunnyfield property to a water tower on the top of the hill behind the Neilsen’s house- then pick up the BRLA trail that takes you right down to Shannon.[/QUOTE]

That’s exactly what I recall. I remember there was a quail that would run through the woods to catch up to us and would run along, leading the way for the horses all the way to trail.

The trails were great. Coops and logs along the way, nice footing. It was a joy to hack out there.

[MintHillFarm]

A lot of the BRLA trails, which Sunnyfield is a part of, are sand if I remember correctly…It is one of the nicest trail systems because the footing is so good. And there was a nice jumping field at Shannon. Also, Piney Woods, a lovely stip of trail with sand footing and great jumps! One could hack thru there to get to Shannon as well.
I remember meeting Christopher Reeves at Shannon in the late 80’s. What a nice man. His trainer was there for time…
Barney was there in the early days too.

Sunnyfield, to me was (is) one of the nicest farms (along with Mrs. Wallers and Coker) in Bedford. The property is spectacular…

[STA]

Please accept my apology. I thought one would have to cross too many roads between Shannon and Sunnyfield today. Sounds like I was incorrect - I stand corrected.
The equestrian community are so fortunate to have Sunnyfield, Shannon, Coker, and the other farms - open spaces in the area. My “Thank You” to the land owners.

[buryinghill2]

[QUOTE=STA;6667695]
Yes, I believe that was his name. I could not remember if his name was French Leave or Leaf, but just the same a WONDERFUL horse.

Someone mentioned they remember hacking over to Sunnyfield from Shannon. You would be taking your life into your hands if you tried that today. lol The area is very populated now compared to then.[/QUOTE]

I worked for Karen and Sandy, Sandy’s last jr. year and for Karen’s entire jr. career. Took care of Lebo (French Leave), the entire time. Best job I have ever had for the nicest people I have ever known. I took care of many amazing and famous horses during the years I groomed, but French Leave was the greatest I ever had the privilege of caring for. He truly was the “horse of a lifetime”. Still miss him to this day.

[Trakhannah]

[QUOTE=Janet;6665114]
hat was when we bough Golden Rocket for me, and a year later Meadow Lark for my sister.

I remember Rocket and Meadowlark well, along with Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Miss Chips, Gypsy, Wally (High Hopes), Woo (Kingswood), Apollo, Diablo, and all the school horses (Sprite, Mambo, Misty, etc.) My first lesson ever was on Pale Moon, and Rumpus was the only horse ever to run away with me. Such great memories!
Carol

[Borngrace]

I’ve ridden from Sunnyfield over to Shannon recently too – Have not jumped around their field – I am pretty sure there are signs saying not to I have jumped around the Piney Woods though - such fun if you can outrun the deer flies this time of year!

[jillcarlsen]

@Trakhannah

[QUOTE=Janet;6665114]hat was when we bough Golden Rocket for me, and a year later Meadow Lark for my sister.

I remember Rocket and Meadowlark well, along with Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Miss Chips, Gypsy, Wally (High Hopes), Woo (Kingswood), Apollo, Diablo, and all the school horses (Sprite, Mambo, Misty, etc.) My first lesson ever was on Pale Moon, and Rumpus was the only horse ever to run away with me. Such great memories!
Carol

I know this is an old thread I am responding to! I remember most of those horses. I rode Red Pepper, Black Petter, Miss Chips, Wally, and Woo in Pony Club. And the school horses are the ones I learned to ride on. I remember Baby also. She was the first horse I ever fell off of.

I remember the Goldfinger twins! Carol and Nancy. We rode in Pony Club together. Whenever I am in Armonk visiting family, I always take a ride around, and often into, Sunnyfield Farms. Wonderful memories!

[Janet]

Which Pony Club did you ride with? Goldens Bridge. or the one that was JUST at Sunnyfield?

[adultammylife]

@Lord Helpus

I remember Sunnyfield well. My family boarded at Shannon Stables, in Bedford, – then owned and run by the Hawkins family. (Artie Hawkins was the manager and trainer.) We were there from 1959 – 1964.

We would hack over to Sunnyfield frequently.

I remember the big summer show, but I have even more vivid memories of the FREEZING COLD winter shows. Damn that indoor ring was cold.

I used to ride at Shannon Stables too! So funny to hear that it’s been around that long - I was there when I was in high school (2010ish).

[jillcarlsen]

@Janet

Which Pony Club did you ride with? Goldens Bridge. or the one that was JUST at Sunnyfield?

It was the one that was just at Sunnyfield. In fact, when I got involved, I think it was not an official club of USPC. I didn’t know the difference, but I learned the difference after my daughter began riding here in Colorado, and we formed a Club.

[MintHillFarm]

@MHM

Was the horse’s name French Leave? I seem to remember that name.

Yes, that was the horse…