Local historian, W. Barry Thomson, will give an illustrated presentation on the Somerset Hills rich and varied equestrian heritage.
Since the late 19th century, when families of wealthy and socially prominent industrialists and financiers first began to establish lavish country estates in the area, the history and culture of the Somerset Hills has been inextricably linked to equestrian pursuits, including trail riding, foxhunting, polo, steeplechase racing, gymkhana events, carriage driving, and international competitions under the auspices of the United States Equestrian Team. After first providing a contextual overview of these many equestrian activities, Thomson will focus in on two of them: the history of the “Farmers’ Day” races that have evolved into the Far Hills Race Meeting steeplechase event held each October, and the history and art of the elegant four-in-hand road coaches that were once owned and driven by a number of the area's wealthy estate owners.
