Mayor Daniel Knapik presents a citation to Sarah Bonini, president of the Westfield Riding Club, in recognition of the club’s 75th anniversary. (Photo by Robby Veronesi)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield Riding Club celebrated a major milestone this year and they certainly know how to throw a party.
The club’s 75th anniversary celebration was featured at its annual 4-H and Open Spring Horse Show on their five-acre property on Fowler Road near the Southwick line Sunday.
The horse ring was filled throughout the day as about 75 riders and about as many horses appeared for the event, making this year the largest turnout in the event’s history, according to show coordinators.
“I’m really excited. First of all, my volunteers are rock stars,” said Sarah Bonini, club president and show manager. “They have been with me through thick and thin. I couldn’t do it without them. Just to be able and do this for everyone else. This is for the people that are here.”
She would know. As a former show rider herself, Bonini started to ride in the same arena when she was 4-years-old and has been passionate about horses ever since.
Since its inception in 1939, the club has put on a show twice a year to allow riders from across western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut to participate in multiple competitions in many categories.
“It’s for these kids to be able to get out here and enjoy themselves just like I did when I was a kid,” said Bonini. “It comes full circle for me. For this to be the 75th and to have the amount of people here having fun – that’s everything to me.”
Westfield native Nicole Fenton has been a member of the club for three years and won first place with her horse, Copper, in several events, including a new event for the team, Open Driving Reinsmanship.
“He’s really good, no problems at all. That’s why I was so comfortable coming here,” said Fenton. “I love this show so much. It’s just so nice to see so many people here.”
Sunday’s show has proven the club’s growth. The club boasts about 45 members, meets monthly from April to December and continues to grow and expand across the area.
Families and their horses came to Westfield from as far away as Gill in Franklin County and from areas of northern Connecticut.
“It was large when I was young, then it kind of died off a little bit,” said Bonini. “We’ve got this resurgent crop of kids of people my age that are now showing and riding. We’re getting a large group of that next generation coming through now to keep it strong, which is huge.”
Throughout the year, the WRC will conduct trail rides and other events across western Massachusetts.
Later this month, they will host trail rides at Beartown State Forest in Monterey and October Mountain State Forest in Washington. More information can be found on their website: www.westfieldridingclub.org.
