FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2010

Saddle Up!—no experience necessary at Watchung Stable

It’s Spring and time to saddle up at Union County’s Watchung Stable.

Trail rides through the scenic Watchung Reservation are now running on Thursday evenings and  Sunday afternoons.

Open to the general public, the trail rides are led by stable staff and run weather permitting and are open to anyone age 9 or older.

“One doesn’t have to be an accomplished horseback rider to utilize the stables,” said Union County Freeholder Deborah Scanlon, the freeholder board’s liaison to the county parks department. “Rides are held at a walking pace, so no experience is necessary,” she said.

“The trails through the Watchung Reservation are just beautiful—and few trail rides in this area can rival the experience of a spring evening riding along Lake Surprise,” Scanlon said.
The hour-long Thursday evening rides run through June 3.

Reservations are required and can be made up to a week in advance by calling 908-789-3665.  Sign-in is at 6:45 p.m.  The trail ride leaves at 7 p.m. and returns at 8 p.m.  The group takes a route along any number of bridle trails which wind through the scenic Watchung Reservation, beginning and ending at the Watchung Stable.

Sunday trail rides are at  2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the spring and at 1 p.m. and  2 p.m. during the summer first come first served.

Private group trail rides with ten or more people can be scheduled at different times during the week, including Sunday mornings.  Reservations are done in person at the Stables, and payment in full is due at the time the reservation is made.

Small groups of friends or families, as well as larger groups, can schedule private trail rides at other times during the week.  The Union County Board of Freeholders is also proud to announce that this year,  the Watchung Stable and Trailside Nature and Science Center have joined together to offer Nature Trail Rides on horseback for adults and children ages nine or older.

A park naturalist from Trailside will interpret sights and sounds of nature and identify interesting trees, plants and wildlife along the way.  Contact Trailside for information on dates and times.

On June 6, couples ages eighteen and up, are invited to go on a date in a new and exciting way, on horseback!  After a meandering walk through the woods and along Lake Surprise couples may want to head over to Mosaico Restaurant in Mountainside for a Northern Italian dinner since each couple receives a $20 gift certificate courtesy of Mosaico.

The ride, approximately one hour, will leave at 4:00pm. Those wishing to participate should stop by the Watchung Stables, 1160 Summit Lane, Mountainside. and sign up as soon as possible.