by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2019
The Horse Park of New Jersey is seeking those with a dedication to horse sports in the state to become trustees of the facility in Allentown, where competitions for a variety of breeds and disciplines are held.
Seats on the board are opening next month. If you’re interested, send an application and resume to the Horse Park at 626 Route 524, Allentown, NJ 08510. The phone is 609-259-0170 and email is horseparkofnj@aol.com. The website is www.horseparkofnewjersey.com
by Nancy Jaffer | May 24, 2019
The June 8 Hunterdon Polo Classic isn’t about riding for a good cause–it’s about riding for many good causes, including the Hunterdon Art Museum, Prevention Resources, Inc, Riding With Heart, The Toshiko Takaezu Studio Project, Team Velvet and Valley Crest Farm and Preserve
The event, presented by the Hunterdon Foundation, is family-friendly, with tailgating playing a big role at Fieldview Farm in Pittstown, where gates open at noon. The rain date is June 9..
Tickets may be purchased online at http://hunterdonpolo.org/ or at Bishop’s Supermarket, Whitehouse Station; Bourbon Street Liquors, Califon, Clinton, Lebanon and Flemington and
Coach Stop Saddlery, Bedminster.
Those interested in tailgates, custom packages and sponsorship opportunities may email hunterdonevents@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 23, 2019
If hunter paces are your thing, Sunday June 9 is your day; you’ll just have to make a choice about where to ride.
Both the Monmouth County Hunt and the Essex Foxhounds are having paces then in different parts of New Jersey. (Wouldn’t it be nice if one was on the Saturday and one on the Sunday?) But Jennifer Donaldson of Monmouth explained “all of the New Jersey hunts meet and try to coordinate dates, but sometimes it’s hard to avoid a conflict.”
Monmouth’s Spring Pace III is open to English and Western riders in teams of two or three in three different divisions. Participants will ride a marked course approximately six to eight miles in length teams of 2 or 3 in 3 different divisions. The pace will be set by members of Monmouth. A collared shirt, ASTM/SEI helmet and boots with a heel are required.
The first team goes out at 9 a.m. from the hunt kennels, 50 East Branch Road, Allentown, with the last team out at 12:30 p.m.
Monmouth paces feature Thoroughbred Incentive Program awards, including a year-end prize for the 2019 series.
For more information, go to monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com or call (732) 915-0492
The Essex pace runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cedar Lane Farm, 87 Homestead Road, Califon (just a few miles from the center of Oldwick in Hunterdon County). For information, call Jim at (908) 337-2546
is having a pace June 8 and the Essex Foxhounds’ spring pace is the next day.
The Essex pace is at Cedar Lane Farm, 87 Homestead Road, Califon (just a few minutes from downtown Oldwick in Hunterdon County). For information, call Jim Gordon at (908) 337-2546 or go to www.essexfoxhounds.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 23, 2019
JJ the Pony has invited children up to age 12 to a Cowboy Cookout Sunday June 2 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable, 256 South Maple Ave., Basking Ridge.
Cowpokes and their parents will take a hayride to the campsite, where they may take a pony ride, play some games, and cook a hot dog on a stick for lunch. Children can come dressed in cowboy/cowgirl attire. Long pants are recommended and closed-toe shoes are required.
Food is included in the fee of $20 per child/parent pair. Additional siblings 12 and under may attend for $12 each.
Space is limited. Reservations and payment is required in advance at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 13, 2019
Looking for a horse? The Standardbred Retirement Foundation is having a Meet and Greet at its Cream Ridge farm from 3-5 p.m. Saturday May 18, complete with a new foal, as well as craft beer and wine sampling. There will be approximately 65 available adoptable horses on hand. There is no charge to attend the event at 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd.
Those interested in adopting can find applications are available on the website at www.AdoptaHorse.org. Fill out an application before the event to be approved. Most horses are not on the website, but they will be on hand to meet. Visit the Facebook page the morning of the event to check for any weather-related date changes.
Many horses will be shown under saddle in both Western and English disciplines. Staff will be on hand to answer questions regarding adoption, fostering, the organization, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and information regarding horse sponsorship. Volunteer riders are needed for the event as well.
For information, contact SRF us via email at SRFAdoption@gmail.com or call the office at (609) 738-3255. Visit the website to view some of the horses available for adoption.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 9, 2019
Eddie Blue, trained and ridden by Devin Ryan of Long Valley, has been inducted into the Equus Horse Stars Hall of Fame.
The Dutchbred gelding was purchased by Lori Larrabee in 2013 as a four-year-old.
“The deciding factor in purchasing Eddie was primarily my trust in Devin’s instincts for the abilities of young horses. I had watched him for over seven years train and develop young jumpers. It was his special skill,” she said.
In 2017, Eddie broke into the big time with a victory in the Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier at Old Salem Farm in New York. The next year, they were second in the Longines FEI World Cup Finals in Paris, where he did not have a single knockdown. Five months later, Eddie and Devin contributed to the USA’s first show jumping world championship since 1986 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C.
Eddie Blue and Devin Ryan. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Initially, Eddie was a grumpy and bossy horse outside of the show ring. Very full of himself, he certainly was not the barn favorite, but his proud personality translated well to the show ring.
“He comes in and always gives off an air of confidence,” said Lori. Eddie has become a much softer horse on the ground, seeking affection.
“He has always been a very cheeky horse with a ton of character. We have such a relationship, though, that he always seems to be a little less cheeky with me,” said Devin.
“This truly special horse is a once-in- a-lifetime horse. His mental toughness is a key to his success, as many young horses are not emotionally mature enough to handle the technical aspects of the courses he has been asked to complete,” said Lori.
“He loves his job and he loves and trusts his rider.”
Other horses named to the hall of fame include Cobra, the once-wild mustang who was the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Horse of the Year for 2019; Big D, a Belgian draft horse who is part of the Baltimore Police mounted unit; Lazy Days Midnight Lightning, a mini-horse from California who works in therapy; Petey, a Medicine Hat Paint and former 4-H mount who is now a therapy mount in Cincinnati; Wandering Angus, a thoroughbred former race horse who also was an eventer before being involved with therapeutic riding in Maryland; Karsten, a versatile Friesian stallion; Ms. Dreamy, a quarter horse mare who was part of the U.S. gold medal reining team at the 2018 WEG and ridden to individual silver by Dan Huss and Brad Wolf’s Private Practice, the winner of the 2018 USHJA International Hunter Derby and this year, the $100,000 Hunter Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival with Tori Colvin handling the riding duties.
