Dan's Papers - May 23, 2008 - Yeee-Haww! Sip...

So you want to ride horses through the North Fork while stopping at all of the vineyards do you? Well we have something that you absolutely must do. You are not going to want to miss the fifth Annual Old Field Farm Vineyard Ride. Old Field Farm is an historic Suffolk County Park located in Stony Brook and each spring they host a Vineyard Ride to raise funds to restore and operate the farm.

Participants must pre-register and prepay to ride and participate in the wine tasting at the 3 vineyards. The ride will visit: Martha Clara, Paumanok, and Jamesport Vineyards. The trail ride and tasting will start at 10 a.m. and last for approximately 3 hours. There will be a luncheon after that on the lovely grounds of Martha Clara Vineyards. At the luncheon there will be an art auction of the works from The Long Island Plein Air Painters Society. As you ride painters will be be painting the beautiful vistas so you can auction for them after the ride. How cool is that. Bring a check if you wish to participate in the art auction and bring home a painting to make for a lasting memory of the day.

You are gonna want to sign up for this event as soon as possible because this opportunity will be limited to 100 equestrians. Family and friends may "hilltop" (registering without a horse) and will have an opportunity to participate by car if they wish. A pre-registration period will be open to NSHA and Old Field Farm Members. Registration to the general public will open after April 15, depending on availability. Please make sure you are available for both May 31 and June 1st as we have ended up using the rain date in previous years. There will be no refund for attendees who cannot attend.

In the interest of safety for all participants, it is strongly recommend that horses be familiar with trail riding and riders with trail etiquette. Unruly horses and or riders may be excused from the field without refund. Mounting blocks will be available at each vineyard for those who wish to dismount. You will taste several wines at each vineyard and you may remain on horseback to do so. Water will be available for horses and riders at each tasting stop. ASTM protective headgear is strongly recommended and a release form must be signed before departure. Hill toppers (those on foot) may follow the horses on foot and/or make arrangements to use vehicles.

Riders often look for exotic trips to Europe to book trips to ride and explore the European Countryside. Many of these vacation packages involve traveling through wine country and riding from vineyard to vineyard. Why not explore from home?

Shutterbugs are welcome to photograph this event. The beauty of Long Island's North Shore landscape, the vineyards, horses and people should serve as interesting subject material.

The tickets are $95 per person, are non-refundable and include a light breakfast, wine tasting at each Vineyard followed by a sumptuous gourmet luncheon. Once payment is received you will receive a confirmation letter with additional details. If you want to do this, write a check made out to Old Field Farm, Ltd. The fee for Hill toppers, relatives and friends who would just like to attend the lunch and art auction is $50. Wine will be available for purchase at each vineyard. For additional information contact: Old Field Farm at 631-246-8983.