The Horse Park of New Jersey will gear up in 2026 and 2027 to prepare a bid for hosting the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event again when the U.S. Equestrian Federation eventing calendar resets for 2028, according to departing park board of trustees president Adam Furlong.
Jersey Fresh was the signature event at the Horse Park of New Jersey. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Adam, who finished his three-year term and did not run for a board seat again, spoke at the park’s annual meeting Monday evening.
Whether the park gets the nod to resume running its signature competition likely will depend on the fate of a bill that would allocate $2.5 million from the state for an update of the park’s arena footing and stabling. The bill, presented by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, has gained two new sponsors and is set for a discussion Tuesday in Trenton.
“The age of the park is a growing concern,” said Adam.
“Most of the infrastructure is 30 years old and nearly everything could use a facelift,” he said.
Although the park bears the state’s name, it is a non-profit that does not get financial support from the state to this point. It operated in the black during 2021 on a very narrow margin of 3.8 percent, helped by a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan of $32,000 from the federal government. The loan was forgiven, so the park did not have to pay it back. The park also provided pay raises to its employees to stay competitive in the job market.
“We’re very judicious in stretching every dollar and cent to the greatest extent possible,” said Adam, acknowledging the work of treasurer Melissa Sinopoli and the finance committee.
Last autumn, the park bought an aggravator for $20,000. It is used to keep footing on the cross-country course at the level that has given it the reputation for being an excellent surface. The machine also may be rented to nearby showgrounds in order to bring in revenue. The park got a 0 percent loan to buy a $62,000 Kubota tractor. Another $20,000 was spent on renovating and repairing cross-country jumps, while work is ongoing to improve the water complex.
Ellen Brindle-Clark, the park’s vice president, will handle the president’s role at least until November, when an election for that position will be held.
She noted that Adam didn’t have an easy time in his job, taking over not long before the onset of the pandemic meant the park had to shut down.
Ellen called him “the park’s hero, making sure we kept alive long enough to reopen. Since then, we have flourished, and it is in great part because of his watchful eye. He will be missed.”