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• 30th Annual Equine Expo & Tack Sale

  • When
    26 Apr 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Arena Building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield MA

  
  

  SATURDAY APRIL 26, 2025
  30th EQUINE EXPO & TACK SALE

  Don't miss our 30th annual Equine EXPO & Tack Sale, Saturday, April 26th 2025 from 9-3 in the Arena Building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Route 1, Topsfield, MA.

  Individuals, groups & businesses will make up our booths offering new and used items as well as services for the horse and rider/driver. Vendor spaces are available.

  Demonstrations presented in the ring this year will include Kimberly Henneman DVM Holistic Veterinarian, Merrimack Valley Icelandics-Breed & gait demo, Exclusive Equestrian Services-Equine Message Therapy, NEER North, Fjords from Lazy J Farm-breed & gait demo, and About Side Saddle Riding Demo.

  Our food truck this year will be The Lobster Roller! Plenty of free parking and the building is accessible to everyone. An admission fee of $5 (kids under 10 free) goes towards our goal of maintaining trails in our member towns of Hamilton, Wenham, Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, and West Newbury.

  For more information or to donate any horse memorabilia such as books, figurines, and artwork for our ECTA sales space or to rent a vendor space please call Kay at 978-768-6275 or Sue at 978-468-7715 or e-mail kljoreo@aol.com. This year we will only be accepting donations of horse memorabilia or saddles, no other tack or blankets. 

  Interested in sponsoring this event or being a vendor?
  Vendor/sponsor contract here.

  
  

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• Spring Annual Meeting

  • When
    29 Apr 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Gould Barn, One Howlett Street, Topsfield, MA
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

  
  

  ECTA Annual Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025

  Please join us at the Gould Barn in Topsfield at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29th for our Annual Meeting! We’ll review the past year at ECTA, announce our slate of officers and directors for the upcoming year and present our plans for 2025. Light refreshments will be served beginning at 6:00. 

  Space is limited, so please REGISTER if you are planning to attend.
  We look forward to seeing you!
  

  Our guest speaker, Kevin Martin, is a book author and boat builder with over 40 years of experience working with wood. He has served on the Epping Conservation Commission, was chair of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee, State Coordinator for the NH Big Tree Program, and trained for the National Big Tree Measurers Cadre. Kevin will introduce us to some of the largest and oldest trees in northern New England, including some very close by. His book, Big Trees of Northern New England, is an informative guide to finding these giants. 

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• 11th Annual Spring for the Trails Half Marathon

  • When
    10 May 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Willowdale State Forest, Ipswich

  Register

  

  Join us for the 11th Annual Spring for the Trails on Saturday, May 10^th! The race begins at 8:00 AM sharp on the beautiful trails, both single and double track, of Willowdale State Forest. This course is 100% on trails! 

  Registration 
  Members: $45 / Non-members: $55
  All 2025 events will offer a $10 discount for ECTA Members.
  BECOME A MEMBER BEFORE REGISTRATION!
  

  This race is part of the North Shore Trail Series 2025! For more info and to officially sign up for the series check out the North Shore Trail Series.

  

  PLEASE NOTE:

  • Online registration closes at 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 4th. 
    
  • You may register the day of race starting at 6:30 AM. (Race Day: $50 Members; $60 Non-Members)
    
  • T-shirts only guaranteed for first 150 registrants!
    

  Divisions: Men's and Women's Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
  

  Prizes: awarded to 1st and 2nd place overall and in each division! Prizes will be given out as runners finish (no awards ceremony). Please check to see if you have won a prize before you leave! Prizes will be kept in ECTA office for two weeks after event for pick up, no prizes will be mailed. 

  Parking and race start: Please park at the Willowdale parking lot on Linebrook Road (across from Marini Farms, whose address is 259 Linebrook Road in Ipswich, MA).  Once parked, simply follow the path toward the field and you can sign in, pick up your bib and t-shirt (T shirts are first come first served). Race starts sharply at 8:00 AM!

  Packet Pick-up:  If you wish to pick up your bib and t-shirt early (for registered runners ONLY), we will be at New England Running Co. at 43 Enon Street in Beverly on Friday, May 9th from 10:00am - 6:00pm.  Otherwise, pick it up at the registration table at the race starting at 6:30 AM. All registered runners that pick up their packets on May 9th at New England Running will be entered into a raffle for a free pair of trail shoes!

  Course Map: Course will be well marked. Our map (below) is also available on Avenza Maps gps enabled! Get the avenzamaps.com app and download the "ECTA Spring for the Trails Half Marathon" map. More detailed instructions on using Avenza can be found on our website HERE.

  Course Map (pdf): CLICK HERE

  More course details: Aid station with water at mile 6. Water and refreshments at the finish. 

  U18 Liability Waiver (ONLY for those under 18 - please print out and mail back):  CLICK HERE
  

  If you have any questions, please contact our office at office@ectaonline.org. Thank you!

  
  

  
  

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• 8th Annual Ride in Memory of Patrick Keough

  • When
    08 Jun 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Spaces left
    15

  Register

  
  

  Join us for this year's Ride in Memory of Patrick Keough
  Sunday, June 8, 2025

  Registration limited to 20 and helmets are required for all riders. Ride will be walking only, horses must be well behaved in groups. Riders under 18 must provide a release form signed by a parent or guardian. Riders under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

  The countryside lost a great friend in September 2016 when renowned horseman, Patrick Keough, passed away unexpectedly. Patrick loved to be out on the trails.  With the help of some generous donors we have created a trail fund in Patrick's memory.

  There will be no charge for this ride, but we ask that all riders make some gift, however large or small, in Patrick's memory. To make a donation to the Patrick Keough Memorial Trail Fund click here (Please click the box marked "Patrick Keough Memorial Trail Fund" under Donation Designation). MANY THANKS! To learn about the 2022 trail project funded by contributions to The Fund in Memory of Patrick Keough see our website here.

  Location and ride route details TBD and will be emailed to registrant. If you have any questions contact the office at office@ectaonline.org or 978-468-1133.

  RELEASE FORM - Riders under 18 and a parent/guardian must sign this form and email or mail to ECTA office: office@ectaonline.org or PO Box 358, Hamilton, MA 01936.

  
  

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• ECTA's Annual Summer Solstice Party

  • When
    21 Jun 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Location
    Groton House Farm, 746 Highland Street, Hamilton, MA

  SAVE THE DATE
  Summer Solstice Party
  Saturday, June 21, 2025
  Groton House Farm, Hamilton

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• 21st Annual Run for the Trails

  • When
    20 Sep 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Myopia Schooling Field, 394 Bay Road, Hamilton, MA

  

  Run for the Trails
  5 & 10 Mile Trail Run

  Saturday, September 20, 2025

  REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

  
  

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• Fall Gravel Ride

  • When
    19 Oct 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Spaces left
    45

  
  

  SAVE THE DATE!
  Enjoy a fall North Shore ride Sunday, November 19th while supporting Essex County Trail Association's work to protect and maintain trails! More information to follow.

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• 8th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k

  • When
    29 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Patton Park, Hamilton, MA

  
  

  
  

  SAVE THE DATE
  THANKS FOR THE TRAILS 5k
  and Kids Fun Run SATURDAY November 29, 2025

   
  

  
  

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