Horseback Riding 2020

We went horseback riding while we were in Minnesota. Bunker Park Stable offers trail rides, pony rides for little kids, and lessons for those with long-term riding ambitions. Our trail ride was on a Sunday afternoon...a very chilly Sunday afternoon. We bundled up beforehand and were happy to get helmets for a little extra warmth. Even the Covid-required masks helped keep our noses warmer.

 

Suiting up for riding

The stables have tons of horses. Normally, larger groups ride as a set. Again, thanks to Covid restrictions, we rode as a family, four of us and one more as our guide through the woods.

The stables

Mounting up

We were pre-assigned horses. Mine was Jericho, who was a bigger, stronger horse who apparently skipped lunch that day, as we will read in a moment.

Jericho and rider

Luke and rider

Gibbs and rider

Apple and rider

The workers were nice enough to take the above pictures, and our group picture below.

Our posse

The ride went through a lot of park land. The guide warned us to keep the horses away from the tall grass because they like to stop and eat. My son and I had the horses that were the most peckish as we rode. Jericho won the award for the most on-trail snacking with four stops to munch whatever grass was left late in November. 

The area was beautiful. I'm sure in the spring it's even more beautiful...and probably more tempting to munch the fresh new growth. Maybe our horses had eaten lunch because one of the most fascinating things to my kids was when the horses stopped to poop. Since they were riding in the back, my kids had a pretty good view of the action. 

When we got back to the stable, we adults used the mounting platform to get down, rather than take the big drop to the ground from the saddle. Our children just hopped off onto the dirt. They loved the ride a lot.

Walking away a winner

Belair Stable Museum, Maryland

Belair's first owner, Samuel Ogle, imported two English thoroughbreds as a breeding pair in 1747. The estate began a history of thoroughbred breeding and training which was renewed in the early twentieth century. William Woodward owned Belair then. He built a stable in 1907 that still stands. In addition to being home to thoroughbreds, it was also used for carriages and riding horses. The building even has a small apartment for the stable master.

Belair Stable Museum

The very first things we saw there (after we found the geocache outside) were a few carriages and sleighs decorated for Christmas.

Surry with the fringe on the top?

Topless vehicles circa 1900

Where's an old bob-tail nag when you need one?

A corner of the carriage room is dedicated to thoroughbred breeding and racing, showing a typical lounge area with trophies and racing silks.

Horse-themed library

Trophies a plenty

Belair silks

The stable has two long extensions off the carriage building. Horses were kept in these buildings. We saw some sample stalls and equipment from horse raising and racing.

Hall of stalls

A variety of harnesses

A shovel for less glamorous duties

Gallant Fox replica

The stables had their best success in the 1930s. Their horse Gallant Fox was a triple-crown winner in 1930 (winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes). Five years later Gallant Fox's son Omaha won the Triple Crown, becoming the only father and son to win all three races.

Belair also had a farm and various equipment is still on display.

Farming implements

The plow and pump (a good name for a British pub?)

Another angle on the plow

Corn-husking contraption

Old-time phone!

Adjacent to the carriage room is the Stable Master's apartment. It was converted in 1923 and first occupied by James Brady and his family. He trained the horses, oversaw the stable, and drove the carriages for the estate. His wife took care of their two children and prepared meals for any day-laborers at the stables. The home looks very comfortable.

Dining room with separate entrance for the stable hands

Kitchen cabinets

My daughter hoping for a snack

The master bedroom

The nursery

The bathroom

We enjoyed our visit to the museum. It isn't very big but is informative and free. The walk from the Belair Mansion is only two block, an easy trek even in wintry weather!

Kids horsing around at the stable

Cragside, UK Part II-- Tumbleton Lake and Outlying Buildings

After visiting the gardens briefly, we went off to the stables of Cragside to satisfy our appetite for lunch. Don't worry! First of all, we packed a lunch. Second, the stables have been converted to a visitor centre, tea rooms, shops, and museum. No animals were harmed on this visit!

Tumbleton Lake

The converted stables

The lake was created by damming a small tributary to the nearby river Coquet. Just below the dam is a pump house that used to provide water to the house. The builder of the house, William Armstrong, was a fabulous inventor who used all sorts of machines in his house, including an elevator and electric lights, all powered by water. Part of the stables is a museum describing the history of the house and the accomplishments of Armstrong.

Museum entrance

Propaganda Informational poster

All the ways the 1860s house was far ahead of its time

J examines different types of water wheels

We shopped around a bit and then headed off to the main house, which we will see in our next post!

Exiting from the stables...

...past the workmen's houses...

...and on to the house!