The Bedford Riding Lanes Association Barn Tour
As I’ve written in this blog before, the Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA) is a publicly supported, non-profit organization, that maintains and develops the historic system of trails and dirt roads, which extend and connect more than 130 linear miles of trails in the Bedford and Pound Ridge areas. Many of these trails run through private estates. This is a wonderful asset for those who ride horses in the area, but even the non-equestrian population can join the BRLA for walking access to these miles and miles of incredible trails. I try and support the BRLA as much as I can and I’d like to report about their most recent fundraiser, the BRLA Barn Tour, where one gets a peek at some of the stunning barns and farms in the Bedford area.
1 At 9AM, a group gathered at John Jay Homestead, where they were given a list of the barns on tour and driving directions for getting to them.
2 First on the tour was Grace Farm with its 3-year-old 10-stall stable.
3 This farm is the former home of Reed Kessler and her family. Reed was the youngest rider to represent the US on the Olympic Show Jumping Team in London and trained 6 months of the year at this 42-acre estate of rolling meadows.
4 The stable has rubber cobblestone flooring and magnificent stalls.
5 Hanging in the stable is a wonderful sculpture by Lindsay Molyneux Rhatigan, who uses driftwood found near the White River in Vermont to create her masterpieces. http://www.lindseymolyneux.com
6 One of the "residents"
7 The tack room
8 The riding ring out back
9 The next barn on the tour was at Waterbury Farm.
10 This farm is set on rolling hills with lovely views.
11 The barn has a beautiful stone floor.
12 The round design of the floor was an inspiration after the owner traded the round millstone for some other artifact.
13 Charm and memorabilia
14 The main house is a Cotswold-style mansion built circa 1929.
15 There are wonderful views of the Kensico Reservoir.
16 The present owners mother was an Olympic medalist in endurance and the farm is know for its Arabian horses.
17 The third property on tour was my friend, Michael Steinhardt's estate. Michael has beautiful stone barns and silo.
18 Entering the barn, one might expect to see statuesque horses.
19 However, the 51-acre Steinhardt Estate boasts a collection of exotic mammals and waterfowl from all parts of the world.
20 There are many unusual cats.
21 And many species of monkeys
22 Llamas and alpacas
23 Giant rheas
24 Albino kangaroos and flamingos, too!
25 Another look at the stone silo
26 And the greenhouse filled with exotic tropical plants
27 The fourth stop on the tour was Rochambeau, set high atop a Bedford hilltop.
28 The estate of Rochambeau sits upon 67 acres of splendid grounds, the highest point in all of Bedford.
29 The stable at Rochambeau
30 The fifth barn on tour was Sutton Corners Farm, built by RH Macy, the founder of Macy's Department Stores.
31 RH Macy built this estate in the 1870s for his daughter, Florence.
32 It included everything a woman could desire - a stable for riding and exploring the estate's 12 manicured acres, attributed to Frederick Law Olmstead.
33 There was also a dovecoat and an art studio.
34 And a Victorian mansion, rich in details.
35 The last stop on the tour was Palamos Farm, where a lunch was served.
36 This meticulously maintained stable was custom-designed and built by Dave Zublin of Olde Towne Barns.
37 The barn has an impressive arched ceiling.
38 Jeffrey Terreson was displaying some of his equestrian paintings. www.jterreson.com
39 Adjacent to the barn is a magificent oversize ring designed by Lawton Adams.
40 There was an exciting dressage demonstration going on by equestrienne extraordinaire Mica Mabragana, of Argentina.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
All beautiful places and the barns are better than most houses of the people I know.
Is everyone rich in that part of the state? There is such a beautiful country-side and so many beautiful estates.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | October 17th, 2012 at 12:59 am
Martha, this was a great tour! The barns and animals just beatiful! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | October 17th, 2012 at 2:50 am
It's really a good association that will bring us lots of benefits! Hop it can last long!
Posted by: Jose S. King | October 17th, 2012 at 3:57 am
Hi Martha,
Just when I can't imagine what you could share with us next, you
show us something else I absolutely love, barns. They are just
beautiful. Love all of them, especially the Waterbury Farm barn.
Such lucky horses to be so well cared for. The scenery is just
like a painting. Thank you so much. Can't wait to see tomorrow's blog!
Enjoy the beauty of this day,
Kathy
Posted by: kathy peterson | October 17th, 2012 at 4:01 am
I do enjoy when you blog about the BRLA Martha, especially the pictures. You live in such a beautiful part of the country. What a terrific idea for a fundraiser, giving a tour of the barns located on the surrounding farms in Bedford. They are all beautiful and unique in their own right. Your friend Michael's estate is certainly different, expecting horses, you're greeted by such an exotic mix of animals! The stone work on his buildings and silo are gorgeous. Thank you for the tour Martha!
By the way, I'm learning so much from your cooking show on PBS, thank you!
Posted by: Cindy F | October 17th, 2012 at 7:40 am
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing the surrounding barns of Bedford, with their different styles. I am sure it's breathe taking each time you ride, especially during the fall season with its colors. Thank you again Martha for a peek at what surrounds your estate. Happy Trails!
Posted by: Syl | October 17th, 2012 at 8:01 am
Hi Martha
As ever, I'm enchanted with so many beautiful places and wonderful barns. I love horses and everything related.
Thank you once again for this amazing tour.
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | October 17th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Hi Martha, Thanks so much for taking us on this fantastic tour of the Bedford Riding Lanes Association Barn Tour! I recall seeing your previous blogs about you and Betsy riding your Freisians through much of the Bedford area and this newest blog is magnificent to tour! Every one of these barns are outstanding and the homes and farms are too! Those horses look so great and that chicken in photo #13 is darling! Those exotic mammals and waterfowl at the Steinhardt Estate are also fun to see! I had no idea that RH Macy built such a beautiful barn there back in the 1870s for his daughter! That Victorian mansion in photo #34 sure is magnificent and huge! How fun that lunch was served at Palamos Farm! Photo #40 reminds me of a friend who loved to ride her horse just like that! Thanks again for sharing this fabulous tour! Loved seeing you twice on the Today Show yesterday and you looked wonderful! Sure hope you have a delightful time at the American Made event today and tomorrow! Love the tweets so far! Off to see The Daily Wag about "Frost Damage in the Vegetable Garden!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 17th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Totally agree with comments about how wonderful you are including us in your life and times. Makes me glad to be part of this blog..
Posted by: ann | October 17th, 2012 at 11:47 am
Thanks for sharing this with us! The barns are lovely. Pictures of them should be published in a book.
Posted by: Andrea Dean | October 17th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
The interiors of the barns are gorgeous! They put my home to shame....
Thanks for posting.
Posted by: Judy | October 17th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
I miss your show so much. I can't find your PBS show on Tv. I learned so much from your shows. Please bring them back. Your such an inspiration.
your friend from Ohio, Sandy
Posted by: Sandra Mesker | October 17th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Dear Martha: Congratulations on the American Made Awards and this wonderful concept overall. In my humble opinion, this is your best new and most important endeavor in years! I love that you are profiling these entrepreneurs, celebrating their original accomplishments and their work at growing their own businesses - such an important theme in these economic times. I am encouraged to see young people move away from the heard mentality - like, let's just work on Wall Street, for example and, instead, follow their instincts into something inherently more creative and fulfilling. I know it would be tough but, wouldn't it be great, though to try to bring some of the production of your product line into the US to dovetail with this idea. This would be such an amazing statement for you, MSLO and business overall. I hope you will think about this.
Posted by: Marianne Hanley | October 19th, 2012 at 7:05 am
Pretty buildings! I wanted to see more of the grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.
Posted by: Karen | October 20th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
wwonderful Martha!
The barns of Bedford tour was beautiful, It was so great to get a little peek of those enchanting places and just to know that there are so many beautiful spots with such wonderful views. Thank you, a million times thank you. I enjoyed it immensily.
Posted by: anna siracusa | October 23rd, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Thank You Martha, for putting us on your Blog for other people who
couldn't make it to the Barn Tour, to enjoy! LVK
Posted by: Linda VK | October 24th, 2012 at 3:00 pm