Jane Gilbert’s contributions to New Jersey’s equine industry were eclectic and embracing, from eventing and showing, to thoroughbred racing and breeding.
She was all about being involved, leading the way for so many organizations while serving as president of the New Jersey-Bred Hunter Association, the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association, the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board, ReRun Inc. and the Horse Council of New Jersey.
In addition, she was involved in organizing the old Essex Horse Trials, had been secretary of the Horse Park of New Jersey and was a U.S. Equestrian Federation “R”-rated judge in the hunter, jumper and hunter equitation divisions.
So it was a shock and a tremendous loss when word arrived that Jane died Nov. 4 after a short illness. The 73-year-old Pennington resident gave freely of her time to insure a safe and useful future for former thoroughbred race horses.
Jane was a former president of the multi-state ReRun thoroughbred adoption group, but in 2012, she and Laurie Lane, its former executive director, decided to narrow the scope of what they were doing to concentrate on New Jersey.
“ReRun was focusing more on New York, we were already doing a lot of work at Monmouth Park,” Jane said at the time, so the women decided, “Why not become a whole new entity?”
The Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement program took off just a few months after its founding and is still going. Second Call’s mission is to find new careers for the racehorses, who are evaluated for soundness and potential, then re-acclimated and retrained.
Laurie Lane, and Jane Gilbert of Second Call with thoroughbred breeder Eileen Munyak of Millstone. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Lane)
“She was a visionary. She brought the horse community together,” said Laurie Lane, noting Second Call will continue because, “I’m sure Jane wouldn’t want it any other way. Jane’s legacy will live on in the work we do. We’re going to keep fighting the fight and make sure these thoroughbreds have a place to go post-racing.”
Karyn Malinowski, director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, knew Jane since 1965, when she was president of Karyn’s “Boots and Saddles” 4-H horse club.
“The New Jersey horse industry owes Jane much for her decades of dedicated service,” said Karyn.
“She opened many doors for all of us with wisdom and humor. Just an amazing person and top notch horsewoman,” stated Dan and Nancy Wolek of Millstone Township.
Survivors include Jane’s husband, Charles Gilbert, and her sister, Laurie Bradshaw. Those who wish to make donations in her name may do so to Second Call at https://sctap.com. A tribute to Jane is planned for the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event at the Horse Park of New Jersey in May.