The Horsey Set in the Park

I was first aware of the horseback riders in the Park the very first time I visited it --won't tell you how long ago. 

I was under the impression that while it was a big deal at one time ( Herman Wouk made it one of the obsessions of his young heroine Marjorie Morningstar when she starts off trading horses for an interest in men...and the theater)..

Let me see what our friendly internet sources tell us--well, hope this is accurate, it is a website I don't know about..

Yes, it is  back after going away...but I believe if you want to go to the rodeo you just have to wait until it makes its yearly appearance at some big venue here or else go out into the wilds of New Jersey where they have been doing it on a small scale for years.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding has been a tradition in Central Park for 150 years, dating back to when the park was originally designed. There is some evidence that Central Park was originally meant to be seen from horseback. Trails such as the bridle path adjacent to the Reservoir are made of hard, packed dirt and are as perfect for horseback riding today as they were when the park opened.
From 1927 to 2007, the Claremont Riding Academy, built in 1892, operated in Central Park, giving reasonably-priced horseback rides to anyone who wanted them. However, over time, the bridle path became frequently filled with other park users and it became too difficult to safely navigate on horse. In 2007, the stable was forced to close, and with it the only vendor of horse transportation in the park.
From 2007 to 2011, horseback riding was available from Riverdale Equestrian Center on a very limited basis. Private trail rides could only occur in the park by appointment. In response to public requests that horseback riding in Central Park be reinstated, the Parks Department began negotiations in 2011 with the Riverdale Equestrian Center to make horseback riding once again available to any visitor who was in the park during operating hours.