Showing posts with label Westminster Riding Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westminster Riding Club. Show all posts

Monday, August 24, 2015

Life in Carroll County midway through August meant riding shows and tractor pulls


Life in Carroll County midway through August meant riding shows and tractor pulls http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-archives-ridingclub-0812-20150816-story.html

In a longer version of my story that did not make it to publication in The Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-archives-ridingclub-0812-20150816-story.html, I wrote, “Of course, not to be overlooked, it is also Madonna’s birthday. The pop singer was born in Michigan on August 16, 1958. Now you know.


Nationally, it was on this day in 1966 that over 50 people were arrested when they disrupted the proceedings of the House Un-American Activities Committee as it began investigating Americans who were believed to be actively engaged in aiding the Viet Cong. In an unrelated matter, the first color cartoon, “Fiddlesticks,” was made by the American animator Ubbe Eert Iwerks, a friend of Walt Disney’s and a co-creator of Mickey Mouse. 

In the mid-1950s, the Westminster Riding Club abandoned its horse activities and began the construction of a swimming pool. The clubhouse in the background of this picture was dedicated May 13, 1939, by Westminster Mayor Frank Myers. The swimming pool was built around 1957. Photo courtesy of Evelyn and Caroline Babylon.


On this date, August 16, 1946, in years past, a tractor pull at the county fair, a horse show at the Westminster Riding Club, and the opening of the Carroll County Vocational Technical Center were all in the news.

In 1946, the Democratic Advocate observed that a large crowd attended the twelfth annual horse and pony show at the Westminster Riding Club. "There were 76 ponies and horses shown on the picturesque show grounds…”

[…]

Immediately beside the Riding Club is the historic location of the storied 'Fair Grounds' where agricultural fairs took place in the second-half of the 1800s. This was the site of large and long horse stables which lined North Colonial Avenue and East Main Street — and the location of a large racetrack. Yes, that is the origin of what we now know as Fair Avenue.

[…]

Today, most folks associate the Riding Club with the swimming pool or a social occasion at the "club house" banquet hall. The roots of the club are in horses and equestrian activities, just as the name implies. The grounds of the Riding Club were once the location of a nice riding arena located just beyond the edge of town — the focal point of the club's social and equestrian activities.

In 2010 I wrote about the Riding Club for The Baltimore Sun. In that story I wrote, “The swimming pool was built around 1957, and I should note that retired local physician Dean Griffin, now a gentleman asparagus farmer, was the first lifeguard and taught many classes. He also started the club's first swim team…


The riding club's history goes back 75 years to March 14, 1935, according to Reifsnider. She wrote that it was on that date that "a group of horse lovers under the guidance of Mrs. John L. Bennett and (Reifsnider), organized the Westminster Riding Club. ... (T)he Charter membership list (included) F. Kale Mathias, Eleanor C. Babylon, John L. Reifsnider, Jr., Joseph L. Mathias, Sr., Dr. Charles H. Kable, George R. Mitchell, Ralph S. Reifsnider, Catherine Baumgartner, Mrs. Paul M. Wimert, Albin N. Duvall, Sidney Hausman and Bruce T. Blair."

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Life in Carroll County midway through August meant riding shows and tractor pulls
Life in Carroll County midway through August meant riding shows and tractor pulls
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
On this date in years past, a tractor pull at the county fair, a horse show at the Westminster Riding Club, and the opening of the Carroll County Vocational Technical Center were all in the news.
Official: Westminster fires intentionally set
Official: Westminster fires intentionally set
MICHEL ELBEN
Two shed fires that occurred in close proximity and just a few hours apart early Thursday morning in Westminster were intentionally set, likely by the same person, according to a spokesman of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Westminster mayors often had short terms in office
Westminster mayors often had short terms in office
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
Though it had happened more than a week earlier, in early August of 1981, the greater Westminster and Carroll County community was still mourning the death of Joseph (Jack) Hamilton Hahn, Jr.
Roots of a county fair in Carroll hard to follow before the Civil War
Roots of a county fair in Carroll hard to follow before the Civil War
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
All last week, preparations were in full swing for this year's annual Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair that set up at the Agriculture Center, just south of Westminster. This year's fair will continue to Saturday morning, Aug. 8.
Fire damages vacant cabin in New Windsor
Fire damages vacant cabin in New Windsor
TIMES STAFF
A fire that burned late Tuesday night in the 1300 block Western Chapel Road in New Windsor damaged a vacant cabin that was being prepared for demolition according to a State Fire Marshal's office press release.
Sheriff's Office took long road to leading role in Carroll County law enforcement
Sheriff's Office took long road to leading role in Carroll County law enforcement
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
The idea to develop a Carroll County police force began as a whisper campaign in the mid-1960s. It would take a half a century of studies, commissions, elections, and acrimony to finally decide to make the county sheriff's department the lead police agency in the county.
Memories of Henryton State hospital fading with buildings demolished
Memories of Henryton State hospital fading with buildings demolished
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
It was 30 years ago that Henryton State Hospital was closed by the state of Maryland. The sprawling facility included 19 buildings with a total footprint of 30 acres in Marriottsville, about seven miles from Sykesville in southern Carroll County.
Annual commemoration brings home Carroll County connection to Civil War
Annual commemoration brings home Carroll County connection to Civil War
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
By July 5, 1863, the horrific results of one of the most cataclysmic events of the American Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg, were really settling in on that small town in southern Pennsylvania.
Remembering Carroll's statuesque and statue sculptor
Remembering Carroll's statuesque and statue sculptor
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
Many would be surprised to learn that Blaze Starr, who passed away on June 15, is not the only creative statuesque figure with a Carroll County connection.
Shrine in New Windsor honors site where Methodism got its start
Shrine in New Windsor honors site where Methodism got its start
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
On June 18, 1937, the Strawbridge Shrine Association was formed just outside of New Windsor, where many historians believe the origins of Methodism in America are located.
Study of schools in Carroll provides an interesting education
Study of schools in Carroll provides an interesting education
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
The first weeks of June are a time when many young adults in Carroll County look forward to the end of the school year and graduation ceremonies.
Memorial Day and memories of native son killed in Vietnam nearly 50 years ago
Memorial Day and memories of native son killed in Vietnam nearly 50 years ago
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, KEVINDAYHOFF@GMAIL.COM
On May 25, the 148th Carroll County Memorial Day observances in Westminster were once again organized by Carroll Post 31 of the American Legion.
Carroll County pays last respects to emergency responder [Eagle Archives]
Carroll County pays last respects to emergency responder [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Friends, family, colleagues and law enforcement officers from throughout the central-Maryland region filled Legacy Hall at the Sykesville Freedom District Volunteer Fire Department recently to pay their last respects to fellow firefighter and EMS provider Robin Flater Chenoweth.
Westminster band in third century together
Westminster band in third century together
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Eagle Archives
Fire department dinner meeting an annual tradition in Westminster [Eagle Archives]
Fire department dinner meeting an annual tradition in Westminster [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 recently held its 136th annual meeting and banquet at the fire station at 28 John Street in Westminster.

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Democratic Advocate, August 16, 1946: Westminster Riding Club holds horse show

Westminster Riding Club holds horse show

Democratic Advocate, August 16, 1946.

Horse Show Big Attraction — 76 Horses and Ponies Compete; Largest Attendance In History; Teeter Cup To Chas. Rider - The twelfth annual horse and pony show, held Sunday at the Westminster Riding Club, drew a large attendance.

There were 76 ponies and horses shown on the picturesque show grounds, claimed to be one of the most attractive in the state. The show got off to a start before 10 o'clock and under the supervision of the horse show secretary, William Robinette, the events moved along smoothly and in good time.

The show closed after 7 p.m. with the majority of the patrons remaining until the last class contest was completed. One of the features of the show was the presentation of the John S. Teeter Memorial Cup in the open jumping class by the late horseman's widow, who was escorted into the ring to witness the contest and to make the presentation, by the president of the club, Dr. L. N. Hitchcock.

The late Mr. Teeter was a horse show enthusiast and patronized many of the shows throughout the seasons with his string of winners. His sons were admired for their horsemanship. First leg on the memorial cup went to Charles Ryder, owner and rider of Big Boy.

Democratic Advocate, August 16, 1946.

[19460816 Westminster Riding Club holds horse show] Democratic Advocate, August 16, 1946: Westminster Riding Club holds horse show

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My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/