Celebrating a remarkable century for Watchung Stables

They came from as far away as the West Coast to recapture their memories in New Jersey and once again connect with riding friends they had cherished for decades.

The hundredth anniversary of  Union County’s Watchung Stables merited a special celebration, not only of a venerable lesson barn, but also of the people it charmed and transformed.

“Watchung meant everything to me, Watchung changed my whole life,” said Kim Hewitt Bonstein, who started riding by taking lessons at the stable and married Bill Bonstein, a Junior Essex Trooper she met there.

“All my friends are somehow related to horses,” noted the Chester resident, who laughed about getting up at 4:30 a.m. in her teens when it was time to sign up for a new Watchung Troop season, in order to make sure she could get in. Kim went on to become a professional horse trainer. Bill spent some time at the U.S. Equestrian Team, working for the legendary coach Bertalan de Nemethy and handling projects around the stable in Gladstone.

During the Boots & Bling Gala organized Sept. 28 by the Watchung Stables Auxiliary at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth to commemorate the stable’s century, many of those attending offered similar comments about how much the facility has meant to them.

Ellen Newell Rogers, who grew up in New Providence on the border of Summit, rode at Watchung from 1967 to 1973. Now a resident of Arizona who made the pilgrimage back to New Jersey for the celebration, she described herself as “a barn rat” who still keeps up with friends from Watchung days on Facebook.

Her pal, Susan Valla, came from California to attend.

“I would sit in school on Friday afternoons hoping it didn’t rain so we could ride,” later that afternoon, Susan said. The love of horses kindled by her troop days led Susan to attend Centenary College (now University) for its equestrian program, and she worked at the racetrack for top trainer Richard Mandella.

Barns that give prospective riders a start are fewer and fewer these days, making Watchung’s longevity even more important and unusual. It has turned out many thousands of riders over the generations.

While the top levels of horse sport currently are thriving and gilded with mounts that cost six or seven figures, how do those who are interested begin their contact with horses in an economical way? Watchung still has the answer.

“It’s a place where can kids can go to get their first exposure to a horse and take lessons. It’s a blessing that Union County still does that,” said Jimmy Lee, president of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and one of the country’s most respected horse show judges. He officiated at a Watchung Troop show about five years back and liked what he saw.

When he lived in Westfield, N.J., many decades ago, Jimmy rode in “Troop 7 on Wednesday afternoons,” he recalled. One vivid memory involved mucking stalls during the winter in exchange for being able to exercise Watchung’s horses for free.

“We rode them bareback with a halter and lead ropes and galloped around in the snow. We had a great time. Those trails were wonderful,” he said.

Jimmy is just one person well-known in the horse industry who was part of the Watchung scene. Another was Frank Chapot, captain of the U.S. show jumping team who went on to be its coach. Skipper Schroeder won both the hunt seat and saddle seat championships at the National Horse Show. Vince Murphy, the former president of the U.S. Equestrian Team, used to ride in the adult troop. Roger Haller, who became a key figure in the development of U.S. eventing, rode at Watchung with Junior Essex Troop B of Cavalry (Troops A and C were located in West Orange.)

Union County officials came up with the stable concept in 1925, building the facility in Summit with access to the  2,000-acre Watchung Reservation.

It opened in 1926, operated by the Watchung Riding & Driving Club until shortly before the Great Depression, when it became half-empty as those involved opened their own stables in the area.

According to a history of the stable by Doug Bailey, a longtime Watchung instructor and advisor to the Watchung Junior Hunt Club, F.S. Mathewson of the Union County Park Commission decided to broaden the stable’s appeal by offering lessons.

In 1933, the commission took over the stable, which soon was run by Major Tom Tully, a member of the Essex Troop Horse Cavalry at Westfield.

The Watchung lessons were offered in troops run with a cavalry flair. Troopers still wear the uniform of powder blue shirts and yellow ties, with patches over the pocket signifying which troop they belong to, and on the sleeve with the stable insignia.

They would assemble before their lessons in straight lines in front of the stable and get the information they needed for that day before mounting up. Such discipline was put to good use on a mid-April afternoon in 1957, when a fire broke out in the stable.

Troopers proceeded calmly to unsnap the horses from the ties on their stalls, as they would before a lesson, and lead them out ahead of the flames. Other troopers helped grooms carry out saddles and equipment. All the horses survived and spent the summer living in tent stalls, but were back in a rebuilt barn by the fall.

Major Tully was succeeded as manager of the stable by Bob Luihn, who also was a rodeo rider.

Eileen Scarinci, 80, who won the oldest trooper award at the gala, began riding at Watchung in 1955.

“Watchung was the most important thing in my life, it was the thing I looked forward to,” she said.

She brought her daughter, Regina, to Watchung, as did many troopers, with several generations tracing their riding roots to the stable.

Regina recounted, “The first time I rode there, the horse reared and I fell off. I said, `I’m never getting back on.’ ”

Eileen smiled, remembering how “Bob Luihn came over to me and asked, `Is that your kid?’ ”

When she said yes, he told Eileen, ” `Put her back on the horse’ and that was it.”

Mother and daughter went on to keep horses at their home in Scotch Plains and Regina still rides in Hunterdon County.

Roy Butterworth took over from Bob Luihn before management duties went to Hilton Williams, who ran the stable for approximately 22 years. He attended the celebration.

“Watchung has produced a lot of friends,” said Hilton, whose horsemanship skills created a legacy that influenced many young riders.

“I think I reached a lot of kids,” he commented in a masterpiece of understatement.

Hilton was succeeded by Rachel Bechtold, who runs the stable today.

County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded said Rachel told her she has attended hundreds of weddings over the years, and most of them involved people from the stable.

“We always say our parks are the crown jewels of the county but I think the stable is the leader of that,” observed the commissioner.

“It’s such a magnificent facility and the work that is done there with our community, our youth, residents of all ages, is something so special and something we truly cherish at the county.

“It’s remarkable to hear the stories of the friendships that were made, the camaraderie and the love that people continue to have for one specific place. It’s very heartwarming.”

Making way for Route 78’s “missing link,” in 1985, the stables moved from Summit to a former Nike missile base in neighboring Mountainside. The facility, now run by the County Department of Parks and Recreation, has been expanded and upgraded over the years. In the planning stages is a 9,900-square-foot therapeutic riding building at the northeastern end of the site. The ADA-accessible structure will feature an 80’ x 95’ indoor ring, tack room, restroom and viewing platform.

Auxiliary President Brigid Robertshaw of Westfield started riding as an adult trooper and her daughter, Casey, now majoring in equestrian studies at Delaware Valley University, also rode at Watchung.

“To be able to drive 10 minutes and be at this place and we can actually afford it, it’s a tremendous gift,” said Brigid.

“I really appreciate the fact that the stable exists and that’s why I felt compelled to get involved.”

She helped revive the auxiliary after Covid with the idea that. “Whatever the barn needs, we’re going to try to make it happen.”

It’s a broad mandate, which has included buying blankets for the horses, replacing saddles and having appreciation lunches for the stable staff, as well as organizing the gala during the last year. Those who wish to join the auxiliary can get information at this link.

Paula Jensen of Blairstown, who has several retired thoroughbreds, said professionals have complimented her on her position and effectiveness in the saddle.

“Where did you learn to ride?” they would ask her, and she replied with one word, “Watchung.”

She improved by riding horses of every ability and temperament during her days at the stable. Paula, who grew up in Westfield, is grateful for that experience.

Watchung is very reasonably priced, but even in days gone by, it could be a bit of a stretch for some families on tight budgets. Parents would make an effort, however, being aware that riding was a priority for their children.

“Somehow, my mother found the money for troop every season,” Paula recalled. .

Erin Gilmartin was involved with Watchung from 1962 to 1979. In addition to taking lessons, she rode for Bill Keegan, who kept his own horse at the stable.

“Looking back, it meant so much and made me what I am today,” said Erin of her experience at the stables.

“I have a terrific work ethic and camaraderie with people. The love of horses never goes away and affects everything you do. It was all those formative years, it was rigid military,” said the former captain of Troop 3 on Fridays, who also was president of the Watchung Junior Hunt Club.

“It was a remarkable upbringing and friends you’d never forget.”