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7/14/09 -  So the Orange County Horse and Farm Center Open House and Clean Up was a tremendous success.

First, it was today and we had many volunteers and tons of legislators did stop by. Thank you all! We filled two dumpsters with stuff! There were so many volunteers who helped and I will get names and write them for the minutes that will come next week. Everyone was cheerful and the coffee and donuts were terrific and we got the whole place done!!! And there were many new faces that showed up at lunch time, it was great to meet you all!

Second, Chip was so dusty that I was watching her when we were talking to some legislators and a wind whipped by and a cloud of dust wafted off of her! Pretty funny!

Third and why I'm e-mailing. We have a recap meeting at the Boat house at Orange COunty Park, July 15th, tomorrow to recap all that happened today! We also want to keep the momentum going!

Everyone is welcome!

OCHFC Meeting:
Where: Boathouse, right across from the riding rings and next to the pond at Orange County Park.
When: July 15 at 7PM
What: Recapping how the Open House and Clean Up Day went!!!
Please come and if you have trouble finding the Boat house (I mean it took me years to figure out where it was...call me: 845-781-3894.)

See you then!!!
 

I wanted to personally invite you to the Orange County Horse and Farm Center Open House tomorrow July 14th at the new location, Blackburne Farm on Rt. 416 across from Hill Hold. As a horse professional, you too will benefit from this horse park. I've included a list of benefits and then all the details of the Open House are below. We know your time is valuable and would like you to consider just coming out during your lunch hour to see the property, view the plans and get a tour.

Some benefits of a Horse Park to Orange County:
-Encourages people who are horsey who are moving to NY or moving from another county to consider Orange County. (More consumers for lessons/training, etc.)

-Tax revenue from people coming to larger events here. We are a force in Orange County as a tax base already but more people shipping in and spending money at a horse park, think Sussex, will make legislators listen when we speak.

-A place to go if you need a larger venue for your own event, more parking, more stalls, etc., such as a large scale clinic.

-Trails, hunter paces, eventing. There is 67 some odd acres that we are thinking of making trails and jumps. If your farm is not big enough to hold you 3-phase, you could consider this option.

Again, I know many of you have your own horse farms, but this might be of interest to you and we look forward to seeing you!


Join us! Orange County Horse and Farm Center Open House & Clean up Day
Hosted by Whinnies & Knickers Tack Shop, Newburgh NY.

COME SEE THE PLANS!
Yes, the plans of where the rings will be, indoor arena, warm-up, etc!

Quickie Details:   Cleanup Notice

-When: July 14th, this coming Tuesday, 10AM - 3PM.

-What: Open house! It's an open house so you can see the property and see some plans for arenas, barns, warm up areas, etc.

-Where: Blackburne Farm, Rt 416 where the wooden fences and gate is, next to Ottaway Newspapers. There is a green sign saying Future Home of The Orange County Horse and Farm Center. Almost right across from Hill Hold. Directly across from that little school house right next to Hill Hold.

-Who: All are invited! Orange, Ulster, Sullivan. This park is for all of us! Come get excited about what could be!

-What disciplines? All! Trail, eventing, dressage, reining, hunter paces, gymkhanas, hunters, shows, clinics, pony club events, 4-H, everyone and all disciplines are welcome and we need your input too!

-What else: If you're working and can't get away on a Tuesday, think about possibly joining us for 15 minutes during your lunch time? We'd love to give you a quickie tour, show you the plans, etc.!

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Clean up:
-You are not required to clean up. If you only have a few moments to stop by and see what's going on, please do. Someone will show you around! It is terrific and has a terrific future!

-If you'd like to help, first YEAH!! and second, we wholeheartedly welcome you. Please bring, water, lunch, bug spray, gloves, your tools of choice and possibly a face mask. It'll be fun and a lot of laughs!!! Especially in fun at each other so come and join the fun!

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More information:
The Friends of Orange County Horse and Farm Center have been working tirelessly to get the new horse park started. The land and barns were donated by Ruth Ottaway. It is about 67 some odd acres, an indoor, a few barns and some class rooms. It was donated expressly to be used as a horse park. We have plans to make it bigger and better! More rings, more warm up!

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PLEASE NOTE: If you're working and can't get away, possibly join us for 15 minutes at lunch time? We'd love to have you and again, we can give you a quickie tour, show you the plans, etc.! Something to get excited about!

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Even more information:
www.ochfc.org

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Follow up Meeting:
Please join us for a recap meeting at the Boat House at Orange County Park the following evening, July 15th, at 7PM. We are also looking for nominees for President, VIce President, Secretary, Treasurer and 4 board members. We welcome all to nominate people.
Bring your nominees to the meeting. I think I'm running for Secretary.

JUNE EVERS
 

Times Herald Record Article -

Montgomery park plans no horse race
1 of 1 The Blackburne Farm in Campbell Hall yesterday. Times Herald-Record/DOMINICK FIORILLE By Chris McKenna

Times Herald-Record
May 24, 2007
Montgomery — Horse lovers have been champing at the bit for three years in anticipation of an Orange County horse park on 68 bucolic acres off Route 416.

The county hasn't exactly shot out of the starting gate. But it set off at a trot yesterday when a legislative committee agreed to plan a facility that could ultimately include exhibition rings, arenas, stables and trails.

There is no cost estimate yet. The first expense will be an anticipated $300,000 to build a road to connect Route 416 to the landlocked property.

Members of the horse-riding community, eager for something more elaborate than the two aging horse rings in nearby Thomas Bull Memorial Park, have been promoting the equine facility as an economic engine for Orange County and promising to secure donations of labor and materials.

But their involvement in the planning triggered some early miscues soon after the county bought the former Blackburne Farm from the Ottaway family in 2004 for a discounted price of $250,000, largely covered through a state grant.

Whinnies of opposition erupted as word got out that the "horse people" were planning riding trails not only on the Blackburne Farm, but inside Thomas Bull Park itself. That led to accusations of back-room dealing with County Executive Edward Diana, which he has disputed.

Some lingering sensitivity was evident yesterday as Diana sat and parried with lawmakers in their committee room.

The legislators had been asked to approve spending $50,000 on a consultant to design the park, as the horse community wanted. But lawmakers from both parties balked, agreeing instead to select the county Planning Department.

There was one complaint about the road cost, but no outright opposition. Still, Diana felt compelled to warn lawmakers that the land must be returned to the Ottaways if the county doesn't develop a horse park. He said, "We have made a commitment by taking the grant, by taking the Ottaway property, that we are going to do something for the equine community."

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Last modified:  03/07/2010