Horsing Around

Tyler Park Stables in Newtown, Pa., lets you indulge in the joys of trail riding.

By: Amy Brummer

PHOTOS BY AMY BRUMMER

Two of the Tyler Park Stable’s horses, from a heard of nearly 30 animals, which it rents by the hour. Ponies my be rented in 15-minute increments.

   There is a picture of me when I am about 12 years old, on
horseback, a red ribbon pinned to my jacket. I should be rather proud of my achievement,
but instead I am scowling. It reminds me that I was a very competitive child,
a trait that has waned over the years. The curious thing is that horseback riding
made me less competitive the more I began to value it.
   Since my early experiences were based on learning techniques
that would impress judges, the coveted outcome was always the blue ribbon. It
wasn’t until I took my first trail ride that I realized there were much greater
benefits to the sport. Nothing I had experienced compared to loping along a wooded
trail or cantering around the edges of a wild meadow. It was exhilarating and
it was real.
   For the first time, I truly appreciated the endless drills that
comprised my lessons. Out on the trails, I had the confidence to cherish the freedom
and savor the challenge. Back in the hot, dusty ring, I had a new reason to sharpen
my skills. The experience had become the reward.

A farmhand grooms one of the barn’s residents.

   Almost 20 years later, I still get the same satisfaction from
a ride in the woods. But owning a horse is a significant and expensive responsibility.
Luckily, Tyler Park Stables in Newtown, Pa., provides horseless riders with the
opportunity to indulge in the joys of trail riding.
   Open seven days a week on a first-come, first-served basis,
the stable has nearly 30 horses, which it rents by the hour. All levels can be
accommodated, and the staff will match riders with a horse that suits their skill
level.
   While the stables have been operating for many years, owner
Lisa Nicolari has been running the farm since 1997. A lifelong equestrian who
has competed in both the English and Western show circuits, Ms. Nicolari takes
the safety of her horses and riders very seriously and is not shy about asking
questions to determine a person’s experience.
   Newcomers will be matched with a guide who will take them on
trails that wind through the 1,700-acre Tyler State Park. Western saddles are
provided, but riders who want to wear a helmet should bring their own. (Bike helmets
will suffice.) Repeat customers who become familiar with the trails and are determined
to have suitable skills are able to set out by themselves. Children under age
12 must be accompanied by an adult who is willing to walk the horse.
   "We have parents who will rent a pony for their kids and walk
them out in the park," says Ms. Nicolari. "They can pack a picnic lunch and just
go exploring."
   For any child that has begged their parents for a pony, this
is a reasonable way to satisfy their desires and gauge their interest. Priced
in increments starting at 15 minutes, parents can take children for a short ride
or and afternoon adventure.
   Adults who have never given up on their dream of having a pony
will be equally impressed at the beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings they
encounter while atop one of the stable’s sure-footed equines.
   On a recent morning, I went out with a rider who had been a
patron at the stables for years and knew the trails fairly well. We entered the
woods at the back of the property and headed toward the Schofield Ford Covered
Bridge, which was rebuilt in 1997 after a fire destroyed the original structure
in 1991. It is the longest covered bridge in Bucks County, and the sturdy reconstruction
dotted with diamond-shaped windows acts as an enchanting passageway.

Hamilton resident Rita Humphrey prepares to head out on the trail at Tyler Park Stables on Swamp Road in Newtown.

   Encountering a man walking his large, overly interested dogs,
the horses were calm and focused. We headed toward an open field grown over with
tall grasses, brambles and vines. The air was humming with the sounds of insects
and birds, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle wafted past our noses. Continuing
on, we passed a lonesome farmhouse and paused to admire the verdant hills that
rolled out to the horizon.
   As we looped back toward the farm, the trail became a steep
ridge high above a streambed that was a breathtaking crevasse of craggy rock and
moving water. Our horses never hesitated or missed a step as we navigated the
ledge.
   Crossing back through the covered bridge, we were back in the
world again. The horses even picked up their step a bit, knowing they were headed
back to their beloved stalls.
   Back at the farm, the horses are hosed off and given a well-deserved
rest. I knew that my muscles would be a little sore the next day, yet I looked
forward to the reminder that I can live my dreams just beyond the covered bridge
in Tyler State Park.
Tyler Park Stables is located at 451 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa. Hours: Daily
9 a.m.-4 p.m. A one-hour ride costs $25, and pony rental costs $5 for 15 minutes.
For information, call (215) 860-1791.