Tracy Van Buskirk, President of the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, highlights a recent serious injury to a horseback rider caused by a motorbike rider who violated Connecticut state law by passing too closely and quickly, spooking the horse. She emphasizes that motor vehicle operators must slow down, maintain a wide berth, and follow specific safety rules when encountering horses on roads to prevent accidents.

Van Buskirk also stresses the importance of preserving trail access for riders, urging landowners to honor longstanding trails despite the absence of legal easements, noting that Connecticut law protects landowners from liability for allowing recreational use. She calls on all trail users to respect horses by stopping, yielding, and controlling dogs, reminding the community that horses have the right of way on trails and roadways to ensure safety for everyone.