About LKTA:
The
Landsman Kill Trail Association is made up of horseback riders who enjoy the
pleasure of riding on safe and scenic trails away from the dangers of vehicular
traffic. The idea for such an organization was conceived in the spring of 1968
when eight people met to discuss the possibilities of developing a trail system
in and around the town of
Rhinebeck.
The meeting resulted in the placement of a notice in the local tack shop
requesting signatures of people interested in forming such an organization. Stressed in the notice were concern for the lack of safety in riding along the
shoulder of roadways and the need for a system to be in place prior to the
advent of large-scale development predicted for the area.
Twenty-four people responded to the notice and the Landsman Kill Trail
Association was formed. By October of that year, after six months of
member volunteers planning, gaining landowner permission, chain sawing and bush
hogging, the LKTA trail system was opened with its first annual fall trail ride.
Over a dozen landowners had given permission for the group to develop
trails through their properties. Approximately ten miles of trail had been
planned, identified, rediscovered, developed and marked. Farm roads, former town
roads and pathways overgrown for years were incorporated into the first section
of trail. Then State Senator, Jay Rolison, was present to cut the ribbon to
formally open a trail from
Slate Quarry Road
on the eastern end of Rhinebeck - north and west to
River Road. In his address to the
fifty-five riders who turned out for the ten-mile ride, he remarked, "it is the
kind of community spirit and cooperation displayed here today which is really
the strength of our country."
In October 1970, the LKTA held its fall ride over
twenty miles of trail, completing a circle in the countryside around the
village of
Rhinebeck. By 1971, twelve more miles were added, expanding the system to include two
trails on the west side of the town of
Red Hook. The following year the circle was complete around the
village of
Red Hook.
Today, the LKTA boasts of having opened over seventy-five miles of
trail from Staatsburg to
Tivoli
and east into the town of
Clinton. Approximately one hundred and twenty landowners have given permission for
trails to cross their property. The association holds annual spring and fall
rides for members and guests and sponsors two annual Hunter Paces for teams of
riders over about an eight-mile course of thirty or more jumps.
Over the years the association has participated in parades, sponsored
educational equine lectures and clinics and contributed to the Dutchess and
Ulster County S.P.C.A.s, the United States Equestrian Team and the Dutchess
County 4-H and Pony Clubs.
The 1998 fall ride, which boasted seventy riders, was occasion for the
association to hold a brief ceremony where the ribbon cutting took place in
1968. Charter members George Gallow and Kay Verrilli acclaimed the strength of
the organization after thirty years and praised the members for their dedication
which made that success possible.
Of the twenty-four original members who opened the first
section of trail, many are still active. Others have joined, bringing the
present membership to over a hundred, many of whom have been members for over
twenty years.
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