For the past 10 years, La Donna Heise has been offering horseback riding services in Hitchcock Woods, despite a law prohibiting such activity that was not enforced until recently. La Donna provides a valuable service by allowing non-horse owners to experience the woods, sharing her knowledge of the area and helping groups like Boy and Girl Scouts earn equestrian badges.

La Donna’s guidance to beginners and children, as well as her efforts to keep the woods clean, make her a valuable asset to the community. It is argued that restricting riding to only those who own horses is elitist and discriminatory, and allowing La Donna to continue her services benefits both riders and the Hitchcock Woods Foundation.

Suggestions are made to potentially license or approve services like La Donna’s for a fee that could benefit the foundation. It is questioned why a town with a history of horse activities would try to shut down riding opportunities, when the goal should be to promote enjoyment of the Hitchcock Woods for all visitors.