Giddy up! Sayreville opens riding stables
Eight miles of trails and counting at boro's horseback facility
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Volunteers at Sayreville's Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve say hello to one of the 25 horses and eight ponies that are housed at the borough's new horseback riding facility. A grand opening was held at the stables Saturday.

Sayreville residents and officials saddled up Saturday at the Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve as the borough became the first town in Middlesex County to operate its own horseback riding facility.

More than 50 people attended the grand opening of the riding facility at the vast Bordentown Avenue park. Patrons walked alongside horses and enjoyed pony rides as officials dedicated the facility, which has been in the works for nearly two years.

"Everything is done," said Borough

Councilman Stanley Drwal, who has spearheaded efforts to improve the nature preserve. "One storage facility [for horses] is complete and another will be by next weekend. The facility will be fully operational by Saturday."

Some eight miles of horse trails are now available at the site, but that will be expanded to at least 12 miles at some point, according to Gary Halper, owner of Washington Riding Stables, which is running the borough-owned operation. The facility has about 25 horses and eight ponies.

Horseback riding lessons and instruction are offered, as well as guided trail rides, pony rides, merit badge programs for Scout troops, and couples riding packages, which include lessons and a trail ride.

The facility can be used by the general public, and is not limited to Sayreville residents.

Drwal said that improving the nature preserve has been a priority of his since he was first elected to the council three years ago. He noted that the horseback riding facility was an important part of that goal. The borough also recently opened a dog park adjacent to the horseback facility.

Halper's former business in Piscataway was closed due to eminent domain, following a years-long feud between the farm owner and the township, which was the subject of much media coverage. As a result, Drwal said Halper had been looking to relocate his business at the same time the borough was seeking someone to operate the horseback facility.

"My feeling is that Piscataway's loss is Sayreville's gain," Drwal said. "If you look out there at the faces of the people seeing the animals and riding, if you can be out there and watch the people, you can just see it."

Borough officials said Halper had the facility built at an estimated cost of $30,000, while the borough was responsible for the parking lot. The borough is leasing the site to Halper on a monthly basis.

Halper told Greater Media Newspapers that more than 200 people had come to the facility by the end of the day on Saturday.

"We had a good turnout both Saturday and Sunday," Halper said. "It is going to work out unbelievably well. There is a tremendous amount of interest."

He said more riding trails are being cleared, and he plans to expand the overall length to at least 12 miles. The nature preserve consists of 471 acres.

"Walking out on the trails, you think that you are out somewhere in the wild west," Halper said.

Halper said that he was born into a life of caring for horses; he is the third generation of his family to run horse stables.

"We have 35 years [of experience] in the business of providing professional horseback riding lessons to the general public," Halper said, "and we are excited about this opportunity."

The facility is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and parking is available on site.

An hour-long trail ride will cost $18 for borough residents and $36 for nonresidents. Public riding without reservations is available on weekends, Halper said.

For more information, visit the Web site www.washingtonstables.com or call (732) 249-2471.