by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 6, 2018
Work has gotten under way on the long-awaited massive improvement of the grand prix arena at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
The machinery is in gear for the grand prix ring improvement at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
Drainage and footing issues will be corrected, with the plan that all will be ready for the start of the season in mid-April and the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in mid-May. Jersey Fresh is the last qualifier in this country for September’s FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina.
Another view of the work on the grand prix arena.
The park is looking for another $20,000 in donations for the project. It doesn’t have to be the entire amount–smaller contributions also are welcome. After all, they do mount up.
Donors can be recognized through banners, social media promotion or special requests. The park is a 501(c)(3) educational charitable organization, which means donations are tax deductible.
Anyone wishing to donate can use PayPal or send a check to the park at 626 Route 524, Allentown, NJ 08501. Be sure any donation is clearly marked for the footing fund.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 2, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
March 2, 2018
While suffering through a winter of gray skies, rain and way too much mud in the paddocks and pastures up North, you doubtless have a personal understanding of why so many horse owners flee to Florida during the bleak months.
Beautiful farms are part of the Wellington scene. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
If you’re in New Jersey today, or for that matter, much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic area, just look out the window at the “wintry mix” from the nor’easter.
They don’t call Wellington, Fla., “The Winter Capital of the Equestrian World” for nothing. Although the municipality of more than 56,000 looks like an ordinary suburban town in many ways, with an abundance of development homes, it is the equestrian element that sets Wellington apart.
The Winter Equestrian Festival is its biggest claim to equine fame, with riders from all over the world and more than 5,000 horses coming for 12 weeks of show jumping, hunters and equitation from January through March. (Less glamorous shows are held at other times of year).
World-class riders such as Laura Graves with Verdades always draw a crowd at Global. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
WEF’s sibling down the street, the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, is the place to be for world class dressage riders from the U.S. and elsewhere. The “Friday Night Stars” freestyles under the lights always attract a packed house, in both the VIP area that runs along two sides of the arena, and the grandstands on the second long side.
Streets are named in an equestrian vein after shows such as Aachen and Hickstead. There’s also an Idle Dice Road, Gem Twist Court and other byways with names you’ll recognize, such as Calypso or Stroller.
Even the streets have horsey names in Wellington. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
If you’re a horse person, you’ll feel at home. The question is, can you afford to live there, or even rent for the season?
Realtors keep emailing me with their listings. My favorite was 80 acres for $25 million. There’s a nice barn with apartments upstairs, but no house. I’m a little short this month—can you lend me a few bucks for a downpayment?
Many properties are in gated communities, such as Palm Beach Polo and Palm Beach Point. Their often-artistic wrought iron gates are worth a look, but you’ll only be able to get inside if you know the passcode.
You can’t get in unless you know the code. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
It all adds up to quite a lifestyle that has flourished in less than a half-century. Long before the horse shows were conceived, Wellington was the world’s biggest strawberry patch, the Flying Cow Ranch, owned by C. Oliver Wellington.
It became a Planned Unit Development in 1972, 23 years before it would be incorporated as a municipality, but the turning point for equestrians came in 1977. Developer Bill Ylvisaker took horse show entrepreneur Gene Mische to see a rather desolate tract and outlined his plans for a polo club and hunter/jumper show facility on the site.
“It was dunes and palm trees and woods. I asked, `What are you smoking?'” Gene chuckled a few years later, recalling his skepticism at Bill’s presentation. But he went for it.
Soon enough, the property became very valuable real estate as the Palm Beach Polo Club. The gated community, which once hosted the type of polo matches that drew Prince Charles and Princess Diana, gave a venue to Stadium Jumping Inc.’s Winter Equestrian Festival. Prior to that, the Florida Sunshine Circuit had traipsed from showground to showground around the state; Wellington provided a home base not only for the shows, but as time went on, for the people involved with them, who built their estates in the area.
A few years later, the WEF moved from the Polo Club over to its own facility, the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, a half-mile or so away. That facility changed ownership in 2007, when entrepreneur Mark Bellisimo, head of the Wellington Equestrian Partners group of investors, took over management under the mantle of Equestrian Sport Productions and started pumping millions of dollars into such badly needed improvements as all-weather footing in the tired grass International Arena at the venue, which was renamed the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
The big arena developed into a mini-stadium; restaurants and hospitality facilities sprouted and prize money increased to the $9 million being offered this year.
VIPs have a close-up view of the show jumping action at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
At dressage, the 2018 prize money is $600,000, a figure unheard for that discipline just a few years ago. In a moment reminiscent of that Ylvisaker/Mische meeting among the scrub palmetto several decades previously, Adequan’s Allyn Mann embraced Mark Bellisimo’s vision for Global from atop a mountain of dirt on the site of the old polo fields, where a stadium and three other dressage rings would soon spring up.
Kim Tudor, who got her start with Gene doing sponsorship, once observed, “Years ago, we used to say `Palm Beach’ and not Wellington, because no one knew where Wellington existed on the map. Now, most people within the equestrian industry know exactly where Wellington is, and they rarely say `Palm Beach.’ ”
One measure of Wellington’s equestrian well-being is that WEF is no longer the only game in town. The Jacobs family has a series of shows, including the prestigious Palm Beach Masters World Cup qualifier, at Deeridge Farm near Global. Nona Garson, who runs the Ridge show series in New Jersey with partner George D’Ambrosio, has a popular series of competitions in Wellington as well.
The VIP area at the Palm Beach Masters, the Jacobs family’s show at their Deeridge Farm. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
It’s a kick to see the big name riders, often still in their breeches and boots, wheeling shopping carts in the supermarket or visiting the sprawling Wellington Green mall. Despite the size of Wellington, among equestrians, it has a small town feel where everybody knows your name.
“Our community is a good community,” said grand prix show jumper Lauren Hough. “When you’re down and out or things are rough, there’s a lot of people you can count on to help you.”
Dressage rider/trainer Katherine Bateson Chandler agrees.
“You always feel very supported here in Wellington,” she observed.
“You’re surrounded by your peers and they understand the struggle is real, in show jumping, dressage, polo and the whole horse community.”
New Jersey dressage breeder/trainer Bridget Hay, who endured several weeks of cold misery riding at home in during January, was glad to bring her horses to rented quarters in Wellington at the end of that month.
Even with an indoor ring at her farm in Hunterdon County, she said, “I couldn’t get everyone ridden in a warm enough time of day where it was healthy for them.”
During the New Jersey winter, “There was no showing up there, and I need training,” said Bridget, who is able to ride with Olympian Adrienne Lyle in Wellington, where their stables are only a few minutes apart.
“We all need to work with people,” noted Bridget, who also benefits from watching some of the world’s greatest riders in the big competitions at Global. “I need to come down here to better myself.”
Iowa dressage professional Missy Fladland noted that in Wellington, “No matter where you go, there’s a horse person there. We all save up to get here, just to make it happen.”
She’s been coming for four years, at the urging of her former trainer. He told her, “When you’re ready, you’ve got to go to Florida. That’s where you get the most Europeans, that’s where you get the stiffest competition and the most number of shows in a small space in a 12-week period. That’s where it’s at.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 1, 2018
The American Horse Council Foundation’s 2017 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Horse Industry, released today, revealed it generates approximately $122 billion in total economic impact. That is an increase from $102 billion in the 2005 Economic Impact Study.
The industry also provides a total employment impact of 1.74 million, and generates $79 billion in total salaries, wages, and benefits. There are 7.2 million horses in the U.S., with Texas, California and Florida continuing as the top three states with the highest population of horses. New Jersey ranks 39th with 59,400.
“Those involved in the equine industry already know how important it is to the U.S. economy. Having these updated numbers is critical not only to the AHC’s efforts up on Capitol Hill, but also for the industry to demonstrate to the general public how much of a role the equine has in American households,” said American Horse Council President Julie Broadway.
“While the number of horses in the US has decreased, this was not entirely unexpected due to the decline in breed registration trends over the last few years.”
A bright spot for the industry: 38 million, or 30.5 percent of U.S. households include a horse enthusiast, and 38 percent of participants are under the age of 18. Additionally, approximately 80 million acres of land is reserved for horse-related activities.
“For this update of the study, we wanted to get a better picture of the number of youth in the pipeline, which is a number that we have not previously included in our economic impact studies.
“Additionally, being able to put a number (on) the amount of land use for equine-related activities is essential to ensuring that we are able to continue to protect and preserve that land for its intended use,” said the AHC president.
The National Economic Impact Study is available for purchase through the AHC website here: http://www.horsecouncil.org/horsecouncil-publications/. Additionally, the 15 state breakouts will be available for purchase by the beginning of April. Those with questions can contact the AHC at info@horsecouncil.org.
View on AHC Website
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 27, 2018
Want to be part of September’s FEI World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina? Why not volunteer?
The WEG Volunteer Management Program is in the “Scope Phase,” receiving inquiries from prospective WEG volunteers. If you want to volunteer, the first step involves filling out an inquiry form online at www.tryon2018.com.
You can find out what comes next in an online WEG Volunteer Portal that will be launched in March. Once you put in an inquiry online, you will receive a link to the Volunteer Portal to begin an application, answer security and ability questions, purchase the uniform package and sign a liability waiver.
In April, those selected as volunteers will be notified of their assignment. May 1 is the deadline for volunteers to complete applications through the online Volunteer Portal. Orientation and training phases will take place beginning in June.
Anyone who has previously filled out the online inquiry form on the Tryon 2018 website does not need to resubmit the form to receive an invitation to the online Volunteer Portal. Interested parties who have not yet submitted an inquiry form may do so. Please click here to submit a volunteer inquiry.
To view the Volunteer Program FAQ, please click here.
Click here to learn more about the WEG Volunteer Program.
For the most updated WEG information, sign up for the newsletter online at www.tryon2018.com or follow @Tryon2018 on social media.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
February 20, 2018
It’s been discussed for years, but now the Horse Park of New Jersey really is on the verge of improving the grand prix arena, as well as performing deferred maintenance on its other two rings.
Wisely, the park has moved on from the impossible dream of raising $350,000 for footing with artificial components and instead is going down a workmanlike, more economical path with natural footing. It starts by changing the base of the ring from convex to concave and improving drainage, on the advice of a consultant. Masonry sand, which has a fine appearance, will be put on top of crushed stone and fill to achieve a surface that does not accumulate water. An auxiliary drainage area will handle runoff.
The grand prix arena at the Horse Park of New Jersey is nearly ready for its makeover. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“We’re going to take tried and true and just have a trusted, solid product we can put out and offer to people,” said Allyson Jeffery, president of the park’s board of trustees.
“The mixture will offer energy return and confidence to the horse while having the ability to be groomed for the many disciplines that share the park,” according to board of trustees.
An important consideration is the fact that the plan “comes within reach of funding that has been raised to date” through personal donations, pro bono work, grants and contributions from groups.
Recent gifts from Investors Trust and Ricki and Bill Neuberg have added $10,000 more to the pot of what already has been raised. An additional $20,000 will make the plan reality, and it can be given in various increments, from 20 gifts of $1,000 each to two of $10,000 or four of $5,000. You do the math.
Some might ask why they should focus on the Horse Park if their barn is not nearby or they don’t show at the facility in Allentown, Monmouth County. Here’s why: This is a non-profit on state land that serves New Jersey’s horse industry. Having a thriving industry benefits every horse owner in making this a better place to own horses and ride. It raises consciousness in government at both the local and state levels that the equestrian community is an important factor in the most densely populated state in the union. Do I have to mention the word zoning?
Also, the park isn’t going away, unlike some of the private facilities that no longer exist, where shows once were held around New Jersey. Some shows, such as Middlesex County and Four Seasons, formerly held at other sites, now call the Horse Park home.
The pressures of development are such that there are no guarantees your favorite place to compete will always be available in areas where land is at a premium. Although there are some lovely new showgrounds in the state, it’s possible things will change and owners could sell at some point down the road.
An investment in the Horse Park’s rings will insure it can attract more shows and activities, which will pay dividends for those who take advantage of them. (Case in point: look at this site’s On the Rail column, where we detail a unique March dressage clinic at the park by Olympic judge Marilyn Payne).
The park is working on a deadline for arena improvement, because the time to do the work and allow the ring to settle is before the show season starts mid-April. An important goal is to have it ready for the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event May 9-13.
Tailgating on cross-country day at the Horse Park is popular at Jersey Fresh International. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“We just have to be able to take the step forward to start and then maybe we’ll see some momentum,” Allyson commented.
This window is “the best we could possibly make it as far as exposure,” she pointed out. Jersey Fresh has prestige as a selection event for the FEI World Equestrian Games that will be held this September in Tryon, N.C. This year also is the 30th anniversary of the park, a venue many believed would never be built, but happily, the doubters were proven wrong.
Discussing what she sees as the importance of the Horse Park, Allyson notes it “provides a place for people to show the best of personal abilities, partnerships and perseverance in a challenging sport.
“From the grassroots to Olympians, it’s a venue that enables those who are willing to climb the ladder of goals and dreams through the care and training of equine partners, putting another’s needs before their own. That’s what the Horse Park has to offer and why we work to keep the doors open.”
Now it’s another crossroads for the facility, which serves anyone from those starting out to the higher levels of the sport in a variety of breeds and disciplines.
The next part of the plan after initial improvements requires more fundraising for the installation of rubber in the Grand Prix arena. All of the park’s three rings could get rubber for another $33,500, though less money may work if the rubber is added in increments.
Donors can be recognized through banners, social media promotion or special requests. The park is a 501(c)(3) educational charitable organization, which means donations are tax deductible.
Anyone wishing to donate can use PayPal or send a check to the park at 626 Route 524, Allentown, NJ 08501. Be sure any donation is clearly marked for the footing fund.
The park is always looking for volunteers, and trustees also urge attendance at schooling and educational programs, because they can’t be offered if they don’t draw participants.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2018
It’s all about spring cleaning, so clear out your excess tack, blankets, riding clothes, horse-related jewelry, models or knick-knacks and donate them to a good cause.
Mane Stream at 83 Old Turnpike, Oldwick, will hold a sale April 7. It helps support the organization’s mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine-assisted activities, therapy and educational initiatives.
Proceeds of the sale, which runs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., benefit Mane Stream’s horses and equine-assisted programs including “Take the Reins” for Veterans and “Horses for Healing” for those living with, recovering from and coming back after cancer.
Those with items to donate can drop them off during regular office hours. Questions? Contact Holland Kochanski at holland@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit Mane Stream’s website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org.
On April 8, Mane Stream will have an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. offering tours of the facility, see the in-house therapy clinic, take a peek in the barn and pet the horses and ponies. Parents can speak with trained therapists (occupational, physical, and speech-language pathologist) and PATH International Registered Instructors, camp director, volunteers and participants.
Children will have the opportunity to participate in a sampling of activities and crafts planned for our 2018 Summer Day Camp, while parents can learn more about the camp schedule of eight week-long sessions. No prior experience with horses is necessary. Anyone attending who registers for camp at the open house will receive a $25 discount.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2018
Who doesn’t love a parade? Riders with the kind of horses that can handle excitement are invited by the New Jersey Quarter Horse Association to participate in Sussex County’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Newton March 17. You don’t have to be an NJQHA member to ride, but an Irish theme is encouraged for all.
The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. Participants need to arrive between 9:30 and 11 a.m. Parking for trailers will be at Route 206 and Park Street. NJQHA signs will show the way to the entrance. A police escort will take riders from the parking area to the parade starting point.
Donuts and coffee, compliments of the NJQHA, will be offered to participants before the parade. For more information, call Susan Auer at (908) 418-5923.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 17, 2018
Wound management, preventive health care, equine insurance and rehabilitation are among the topics that will be discussed at B.W. Furlong and Associates’ 17th Annual Healthy Horse Seminar Feb. 24.
The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Beaver Brook Country Club, 25 Country Club Dr., Annandale. The fee is $45; for more information or to register, call the clinic at 908-439-2821.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 9, 2018
Olympic judge Marilyn Payne will be presenting a program called “You Be the Judge” at the Horse Park of New Jersey March 31—just in time to get ready for the start of the putdoor competition season.
She will introduce the 2018 eventing dressage tests and the U.S. Dressage Federation movements through Third Level.
The talk is a cooperative effort, sponsored by the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association, the Horse Park and Footlight Farm of Roosevelt. Heidi Lemack, president of ESDCTA, got a grant for the program from the state Equine Advisory Board. Willette Brown, the new dressage trainer at Footlight, came up with the idea, according to Allyson Jeffery, president of the park’s board.
“My equine community is coming together at last,” said Allyson.
Marilyn, who lives in Tewksbury, has judged every 4-star eventing competition in the world. A member of the FEI eventing committee, she also serves on the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s eventing committee—and led the effort to design the USEF’s 2018 tests.
Olympic judge Marilyn Payne, who is also an active eventer, will be presenting a program about dressage tests at the Horse Park of New Jersey. (Photo© 2017 by Nancy Jaffer)
Two riders will be accepted as participants at each level: beginner novice, novice, training, modified, preliminary, intermediate and advanced. The fee is $40 for Horse Park or ESDCTA members, and $65 for non-members.
Auditors also are welcome to join in an interactive experience. They will get packets that include the tests and numbered cards so they can participate in scoring. The fee is $25 for members and $45 for non-members.
Before starting to work with the riders, Marilyn will introduce the basics and purpose of each level, explaining what the judges are looking for.
The deadline for rider registration is March 21. Early registration for auditors is March 24. Walk-ins are welcome, but they may not get all the materials if they don’t register in advance. Footlight Farm will provide lunch for advance registrants.
To register, go to http://www.horseparkofnewjersey.com/event-2813516
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 31, 2018
Gastrointestinal Health and Management will be the theme of the Rutgers Equines Science Center’s Horse Management Seminar, hosted with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11.
“I seem to be getting more and more gut health-targeted questions,” said Dr. Carey Williams, extension equine specialist and associate director of extension for the Equine Science Center.
“Our goal in presenting this workshop is to explain what some of the digestive concerns might be and how we can keep our horse’s gut, and therefore our horses, healthy. We will also go over some current and future research from Rutgers on equine gut health.”
The morning will start with topics including “How does physically effective fiber behave in the equine gut?–A visual tour” by Dr. Burt Staniar from Penn State. He will follow that presentation with news about research from his lab and others with “An overview of recent research studying physically effective fiber and equine gastrointestinal health.” Later in the morning, Dr. Mary Durando from Equine Sports Medicine Consultants, will focus on “Equine Gastric Ulcers Syndrome”.
The afternoon will start with “The Equine Microbiome” by Dr. Amy Biddle of the University of Delaware. A panel discussion from the three main speakers will follow. Carey and her doctoral student, Jennifer Weinert, also will offer presentations on research into “Gastrointestinal Health and Management of Eventing Horses: Survey Results” and “Microbiome and Metabolism of Horses on Pasture: Future Study”.
Complete program, registration information and the seminar brochure are posted on the Equine Science Center website at esc.rutgers.edu. Reach Carey Williams at (848) 932-5529 or carey.williams@rutgers.edu. Space is limited, so be sure to register.
