Evening star., 1940-07-21
1,3OO-MiIe Horseback
Trail System Invites
Maine Vacafionists
Clubs and Riding Schools
Offer Facilities to
Summer Visitors

PORTLAND, Me-, July 2o.-Dur-
Ing the last few years there has been
. tremendous increase in horseback
riding as summer recreational pur-
suit. Aware Of this trend, Maine has
provided facilities for the enjoy
ment Of the expert rider as well as
for the beginner.
For the rider who wants to go
adventuring on horseback. Maine
has laid out a I ,300-mile system OF
bride trails that lead from one cor
ner of the State to the other. BY
utilizing the overnight stopping
places that are provided at strategic
points, 1t is possible for a rider to
spend several months astride his
horse without traversing the same
trail twice.
In addition this system is so in
tegrated that the rider can choose
a ride Of an hour, q day or q week
without getting far from the start
ing point. Thus it is a flexible sys-
tenn that can be utilized according
to the wishes of the vacationer.
Can Learn in Maine.
Those who have never ridden but
have always had an urge to do so
can spend vacation very interest
ingly by enrolling in one of the
many riding schools that are located
throughout the State. These schools
maintain large stables of horses and
employ the most excellent riding
tutors. After he becomes proficient
enough the novice rider can Join
other club members in the round OF
riding activities that make up the
summer season-trail rides, horse
shows and the like.
A statewide organization, the
Maine Horse Association, is promot-
ing interests of riding in Maine.
Ralph Skinner of Auburn is the
associations secretary.
The greatest concentration of rid
ing schools and club centers about
the city of Portland and the riding
enthusiast may obtain facilities
there for a horseback adventure
to any part of Maine or that he
may. within easy reach of our coast
resorts or city conveniences, avail
himself Of just the kind of eques-
TRAN exercise he desires.
The rider can go on to trail rid
ing about Names many bride paths
or engage in the series of horse
shows that are staged each year un-
der the auspices of the Maine Horse
Association. He may play polo or
enjoy the zest of riding to hurdles.
all with horses trained and suited
to the purpose, properly equipped
and all under trustworthy sponsor
ship.
Going up or down the coast from
Portland. other riding centers are
found. To the south the Shadagee
Club headquarters at Saco and those
Of the Mousam Valley Riding Club
on Hanson Ridge in Sanford-Spring-
vale: to the north Bartlett stables
at Brunswick, Bath Riding Club
in the shipping city. Holton sta
bles in Boothbay Harbor and so
on to Bar Harbor. where polo, park
and bride trail riding has long been
q feature.
State Has Dude Ranch.
Also along the coast, at Damaris-
Gotta Mills, is "Stellamaris," Maine s
only fully developed dude ranch.
Moving further inland from Port
land one comes to Walnut Crest
Farm, on the Gorham road, in West
brook. Here is located one of
Names most complete services for
entertainment of the horseback
rider. There are accommodations
for stops over short or long periods
at the farm proper or at outlying
lodges that are maintained at Wat
chic Lake (south of Sebago). The
Walnut Crest setup not only offers
an extensive trail riding program,
but has at the farm Names most
suitable riding hall.
About Sebago and Naples, espe-
cially at the latter place, are ex-
tensive riding facilities in summer.
Poland Spring maintains a fine sad
die stable. In Casco, Harrison and
Waterford to the west is some of
the finest riding country in the East,
both as to scenery and the texture
of the roads. Riding stables are
numerous in the summer in this To-
cality. In Norway-South Paris is
the year-round Newcomb Stable and
so north through Oxford into Frank
lin County and the famous Range
ley region.
The Rangeley Lakes Riding Club
maintains an excellent year-round