by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 5, 2018
There are lots of clinics for hunter/jumper riders, eventers and dressage enthusiasts in New Jersey, but it’s rare to find one that focuses on western, trail and pleasure riders.
The Alexandria Equestrian Association is taking care of that group on Nov. 17 with a clinic on trail, patterns and cones. It will be given by Heidi Bergmann-Schoch at the Alexandria Township Park Indoor Riding Arena, 242 Little York Mount Pleasant Road, Milford. Private lessons are $50, while semi-private lessons are $35 and auditors are welcome.
Complete the registration form at https://aeanj.com/clinics. For more information, contact Bonnie Beasty at 908-303-9392.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 22, 2018
The Horseshoe Bend Park Benefit Trail Ride in Kingwood Township will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 4. You can choose whether you want to do four, eight or 12 miles (if it’s either of the latter two, you have to get on the trail by 11 a.m.)
The area has a mix of terrain, and you can ride alone or in a group of up to four people. Innovations this year are a raffle and a tack swap/sale. The fee is $40 or $35 for members of Friends of Horseshoe Bend Park. Pay at the event, but for planning purposes, please register beforehand with megsleeper@icloud.com.
Get on Horseshoe Bend Road off of Spring Hill Road. Do not get on Horseshoe Bend Road off Route 12, as there is a narrow bridge going that way,
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 14, 2018
Are you up to date on what’s happening in scientific research involving horses? Catch up at the Rutgers Equine Science Center’s Evening of Science and Celebration Nov. 8 at the Cook Student Center on the G.H. Cook Campus at 59 Biel Road in New Brunswick.
The keynote presentation by Dr. Burt Staniar of Penn State Univeristy involves a visual tour of how fiber affects the equine gut. His research focuses on equine nutrition, pasture and gastrointestinal health.
The evening begins with dinner at 6 p.m. and continues at 7 p.m .with the keynote presentation, an update on equine muscle physiology and awards. The Spirit of the Horse will go to Kennis “Buttons” Fairfax, while John Crater and Mortonhouse Farm in Long Valley has been designated the Gold Medal Horse Farm.alley, NJ
Admission is $15 for students, and $35 for adults, which includes dinner, other refreshments and dessert. To register, click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 14, 2018
The Essex Foxhounds will hold a mock hunt at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 at Cedar Lane Farm Road, 87 Homestead Road, in the Califon section of Tewksbury Township (just outside of Oldwick).
Riders, who should wear hunting clothes or ratcatcher, will have the option of trying one of three flights. The first group will jump everything and go at a forward pace, the second group has go-arounds and will proceed at a moderate pace. The third group stays on the flat, no jumps, and the pace will be gentle.
The fee is $50. For more information, go to the essex website.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 9, 2018
There always has been informal betting at the Far Hills Race Meeting, where groups of friends would organize their fun wagers. But on Oct. 20, it will be the real deal, as the 98-year-old fixture will offer pari-mutuel wagering for the first time.
The Far Hills Race Meeting is a highlight of October that draws more than 30,000 spectators. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
With the introduction of wagering, the race meeting delivers on a long-held promise, pairing betting with its world-class steeplechase races, including the $450,000 Grand National (Grade 1). A National Steeplechase Association race meet record of $850,000 in purses will be presented.
“Far Hills is pleased to offer our loyal patrons this prized amenity: A chance to bet on our races,” said Far Hills Chairman Guy Torsilieri. “The wagering experience is yet another way for our fans to enjoy and be intimately involved in our races, which, every year, draw top horses from the United States and overseas.”
Under New Jersey law, Far Hills will conduct its one-day of wagering under Monmouth Park’s pari-mutuel license. All races will be under the supervision of the New Jersey Racing Commission.
“After years of working closely with the Far Hills Race Meeting team, we’re so pleased the partnership is finally official,” said Dennis Drazin, president and CEO of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park.
“We are grateful to have an opportunity to support this beloved 98-year tradition while also raising greater awareness for steeplechase racing and all equine sports throughout the region and beyond.”
With strong support from Central New Jersey legislators and near-unanimous votes in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate, legislation authorizing pari-mutuel wagering at Far Hills passed in August 2016, with the law taking effect the following month. Far Hills officials had worked to prepare for pari-mutuel wagering last year, but logistical issues at its Moorland Farm race course delayed the launch until the 2018 meet.
“We have resolved the logistical issues, and we’re now ready to provide a top-quality wagering experience,” Torsilieri said.
In the Borough of Far Hills, local officials have embraced the partnership.
“As mayor, I and the borough council support the introduction of pari-mutuel wagering at the Far Hills Race Meeting, not only to enhance the event’s experience, but also to continue to provide funding for local charities, medical facilities and borough programs—both present and future— providing an important benefit to our residents,” said Borough of Far Hills Mayor Paul Vallone.
“Wagering will help to invigorate the equestrian tradition, which is part of the fabric of our region, and enhance growth within the Far Hills Race Meeting and throughout the entire borough as we both near our centennial anniversary.”
While pari-mutuel wagering will primarily serve Far Hills’ patrons, bettors around the world will also have an opportunity to wager on Far Hills’ races. Far Hills will continue to provide high-definition video streaming of its races, as it has done for the past two years.
“We feel that Far Hills offers a premier steeplechase experience, and we welcome the opportunity to share our races with all of America and jump-racing fans around the world,” said Torsilieri, who also is the National Steeplechase Association’s president. “We hope that this combination of top-level competition, a superior video experience, and a wagering opportunity will attract new fans to steeplechase racing.”
Over the years, the race meeting has provided more than $18 million to fund local health-care initiatives, including the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (named in honor of the Far Hills Race Meeting), Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey, Bonnie Brae, the ARC of Somerset County, LifeCamp and Community in Crisis. For tickets and more information, visit www.farhillsrace.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 8, 2018
The U.S. Equestrian Federation just awarded a slew of championships for the Garden State Combined Driving Event’s Oct. 11-13 2019 edition. The divisions will include all Intermediate Classes: Single pony, Pair pony, Pony Fours, Single Horse, Pair Horse, Horse Fours, and all preliminary classes:VSE (if offered), Single pony, Pair pony, Pony Fours, Single Horse, Pair Horse and Horse Fours.
If you haven’t ever attended a driving event, Garden State will offer an opportunity to learn about an exciting sport. Seeing the horses compete cross-country in the marathon, as they have to work their way through complicated obstacles, is really fascinating. The elegance of the dressage and cones phases also is worth watching.
