Vacationing Clintons Hit the Horse, Hiking Trails

President Clinton took his daughter horseback riding Wednesday, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton went hiking, as the family continued its summer vacation on the resort island of Martha’s Vineyard.

“Not Secretariat. Nice old horse, though,” the President told reporters as he headed toward a riding trail atop a 28-year-old black Morgan horse named Jack.

Clinton, wearing blue jeans, a light green shirt and a straw cowboy hat, was joined by 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton, a Secret Service agent and employees of the Martha’s Vineyard Riding Farm.

While the President and his daughter went riding, Hillary Clinton joined William Styron, author of “The Confessions of Nat Turner,” “Sophie’s Choice” and other best-sellers, for a hike on another part of the island.

The President, who has been sporting a sunburn, seemed to enjoy the horse ride Wednesday.

“Nice saddle,” he called to Secret Service agent Dave Carpenter, who was riding nearby.

The President grasped the reins with his left hand while holding on to his straw hat with his right.

His daughter, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and black riding hat, straddled a 14-year-old Morab--a mixed Morgan and Arabian--named Gypsy.

“Chelsea seemed real good,” said Leslie Sterns, whose family runs the horse stable. “She hopped right on. She’s had experience.”

Katrina Harb, another rider, said the President’s horse was “old and he’s been here a long time, and he’s friendly.”

She said she had given the horse a bath Tuesday night.