Equestrians End Summer With Farewell Ride Past Grand Hotel

In a portrait that could be from the 1900s, Island riders pause on the West Bluff during their end-of-summer Dress Ride September 3, much like their great-grandparents would have done. From left, they are Penny Barr, Trish Martin, Maryanke Alexander, Michelle Stuck, Brian Dunnigan, Candi Dunnigan, Lin Sheppard, Phil Porter, Kathy Holt, Mary K. McIntire, and Leanne Brodeur. Not pictured are Liz Wade, Cathy Arbib, Pam Chamberlin, and Nicki Croghan. Missing from the ride this year was Lornie Porter. (Story on Page 13)

“Every summer,” wrote Helen Erwin years ago, “I would accompany mother and her friends in late August and we would ride one bluff to another and then bid adieu at Grand Hotel.”

Leading the pack of 15 riders, making their final summer ride past Grand Hotel, are (from left) Brian Dunnigan, Candi Dunnigan, and Phil Porter.

So ended the summers of the riding set on Mackinac at the turn of the last century, horses and riders taking a final look at the cottages, the woods and trails, before scattering to winter places.

Mrs. Erwin’s letter about her mother, Daisy Blodgett, and her friends is what inspired present-day horse enthusiasts to start a similar farewell ride five years ago, and Saturday morning, September 3, 15 of them mounted horses for the Adult Formal Labor Day Weekend Ride.

West Bluff cottager Richard Manoogian serves fresh cut carrots to well-mannered and willing horses. On horseback is Lin Sheppard (left) and Candi Dunnigan.

The riders were attired in formal English riding outfits as they met in front of Donnybrook cottage on the East Bluff, where James and Claire Dunnigan served refreshments in what is called a stirrup cup because riders do not dismount. The riders then made their way through the woods and to the Annex before reaching the West Bluff, where cottagers Jane and Richard Manoogian greeted horses with fresh cut carrots and riders with refreshments. Soon they were off again to finish the their ride, making a final trip past Grand Hotel and down to Cadotte Avenue, where they separated and headed home.

“This is just a perfect way to end the summer season,” said Candi Dunnigan, “with good friends doing what they want to do together.”