Horse enthusiasts continue to rally to save a popular event, Pony Swim, at Cedar Beach in Southold.
Samantha Perry, of the Pony Swim Facebook page, created an online petition, “Let the Ponies Swim!” on change.org this morning, and got 25 signatures in as many minutes so far. The petition is the second created this week, as residents fight back to preserve a tradition they say is beloved to North Fork locals and their horses.
The petition was written to urge the Suffolk County Legislature to allow ponies to continue to swim at the beach; another member of the group has reached out to Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker’s office.
Perry said from what she understands, the county is concerned about manure in the water. “The group is all in agreement that we will make every effort to have someone on the shore who will do their best to pick up any waste they can,’ Perry said. “And I can’t imagine that the manure from one to two horses, once a week, in the entire Peconic Bay is going to be detrimental to the shellfish or waters of Long Island. But I will be sure to tell my horse that he isn’t allowed to poop in the water.”
Southold resident Jill Franke also created a petition, which she intends to present to the Suffolk County Legislature, the governing body that does not allow for horses on county beaches.
Those wishing to write a letter in support can write Franke and send the correspondence to P.O. Box 501, Southold, NY 11971.
“I just want the beach to be available to all,” Franke said, adding that she takes her horse to the beach. She said while she is unsure if she can persuade the legislature to change the county regulation, she’s planning to give it her all.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he’s been working with Franke on the issue. “Jill had reached out to me regarding this issue. Actually, it’s been going on for some time,” he said today. “All complaints that we received were referred to Suffolk County, since it’s a county beach.” He added that he “honestly never knew horses were prohibited until recently, since they have been going there for so long.” Franke, he added, is proposing that specific times be established to allow for horses, a move that would require a code change. “It sounds like a reasonable and common-sense solution to the current controversy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cindy Hilary of the Pony Swim Facebook group, posted yesterday that after contacting Anker and sending a letter to the Suffolk County Parks Department, good news regarding a permit could be coming soon.
“Let’s all keep our fingers crossed,” she wrote.
Hilary said she’s thankful to both women for creating the petitions, to “Jill, whose petition is for people who live around here, and Sam, for people on line — to the both on them working hard to keep this.”
Equestrians formed the group in 2013 to let the horses swim free in the bay along with their owners.
But on Friday, heartbroken horse lovers were told the swims were a thing of the past: Neighbors in the Cedar Beach area complained to the town about environmental issues and other concerns and, Thursday night, a ranger came to put the brakes on the activity, stating that if the events continued, a fine of $200 per horse would be imposed, Perry said.
“We’re really upset about it,” she said.
Franke said she reached out to Russell some time ago when it first came to her attention that equestrians were not allowed to ride horses at Cedar Beach.
“When I was young and growing up in Orient, you could ride everywhere and it was a fantastic place to grow up,” Franke said. “I had a wonderful childhood. It’s changing out here — and not for the better. There are so many restrictions in place now. People move because they like it here, and then they change everything about it.” Franke said she is going to do all she can to fight back against the code. “There is really no place for horse owners to ride anymore.”
Franke said she used to ride on town preserved property by her home but now, she can’t due to the deer management program. “There needs to be a place where horse owners can get together and enjoy the company of other horse owners or people who enjoy watching them or being around them. My dad and some of my friends have gone with their grandchildren just to watch these beautiful animals. It has never been left with waste when everyone leaves. We need a place to enjoy, too.”
Russell explained that there was little recourse: “The Suffolk County Department of Parks and Recreation had recently been made aware of the uses of Cedar Beach by horse owners. That agency had informed a resident who filed a complaint that horses are not allowed on county parks and beaches unless they are specifically designated as an allowed use in the Suffolk County code,” Russell said.”Based on that complaint, an official from the Suffolk County Parks Department said that agency would take action to enforce the code and deny the use at that beach.”
Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski said the county’s long had a policy against horseback riding on the beach, stemming from concerns over animal waste in the Peconic Estuary. “Bacteria,” he reminded, “is the reason for shellfish closures.”
He added that if an activity is prohibited, the county has the right to impose fines, noting animal waste in local waters is a critical issue, and animal owners need to remain vigilant. “Horses can’t read the signs,” he said.
Russell said he’s unaware of the steps the parks department will take to enforce the regulation.
Perry said the group has been going to the beach with their ponies for years.
“It was just so much fun,” she said. “The horses love to go to the beach in the hot summer, just like everyone.”
Hilary, who lives five minutes from the Southold beach, agreed: “I have show horses, so bringing them down to the swim is very relaxing and therapeutic for their bodies. The saltwater is great for them. I would be very sad if this ended. The Pony Swim is a great thing.”
