by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 9, 2018
Have you been cleaning out your tack room this summer? Wondering what to do with the items that you no longer need?
Mane Stream, the facility in Oldwick dedicated to adaptive horsemanship and equine assisted therapies, is seeking donations of new and gently used tack or horse-related items for its Oct 28 Fall Tack Sale.
The facility’s special needs participants, horse and programs benefit from the proceeds. Items to be donated can include bridles, saddles, blankets, tack boxes, and outgrown boots, breeches and jackets. Horsey jewelry, models or knick-knacks, may be dropped off during business hours at the farm at 83 Old Turnpike Rd.
Mane Stream’s mission is 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. Equine-assisted programs include “Take the Reins” for Veterans and “Horses for Healing” for those living with, recovering from and living life after cancer.
If you would like to make a donation or have any questions, please contact Holland Kochanski at holland@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 29, 2018
Have you been putting off buying that new helmet? You shouldn’t, especially if you’ve had a fall in your current helmet, or had it for more than five years.
The ninth annual Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day (actually days) to be held Aug. 18 and 19 offers opportunities for a minimum of 10 percent discounts on helmets at 340 retailers in 12 countries. Organizers expect as the final total will be more than the 680 retailers in 19 countries that participated in 2017 will take part this year.
“It is a testament to the continued need for educating equestrians on all aspects of helmet wearing that sees this year’s event on track to be our biggest event to date,” said Lyndsey White, the woman behind Riders4Helmets.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed at the continued support shown to the Riders4Helmets campaign by helmet manufacturers, retailers, and equestrians around the globe.”
“Back in 2010, when Riders4Helmets was founded and we hosted the first International Helmet Awareness Day, I never imagined that the campaign would inspire tens of thousands of equestrians to wear a helmet for the first time, and serve as a continued reminder to those who were already wearing a helmet, to ensure it is fitted correctly and that they replace it when appropriate.”
Riders4Helmets.com has teamed up with 17 helmet manufacturers this year, that will offer discounts on their helmets for two days only via their global retailer network. The brands that have committed are Champion, Charles Owen, Dublin, Eurohunter, Gatehouse, GPA, International Riding Helmets (IRH), Kask, KEP Italia, LAS helmets (Leslie Sutcliffe UK), One K, Ovation, Samshield, Tipperary, Trauma Void, Troxel, and Uvex.
Not only retailers in the U.S., but also Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and Zambia have registered to participate in this year’s event.
International Helmet Awareness Day was founded in 2010 in the wake of of U.S. Olympian Courtney King Dye’s accident, which left her with a brain injury when she had a fall while not wearing a helmet. The aim was to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitting, secured and certified helmet.
Only retailers who register with Riders4Helmets will be eligible for restocking discounts from the participating helmet brands (please note – participating brands vary by country). You must register with Riders4Helmets and not with the helmet brands.
Equestrians are encouraged to visit www.riders4helmets.com Aug.18 and 19 to view the most current update, as participating retailers will continue to be added on a daily basis.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 25, 2018
Jen Bauersachs was driving home from showing in Vermont last year when she wondered why she had to go all the way to New England to compete in the hunters at a big show. The Frenchtown rider/trainer and her friends, Jennifer Hannon and Brooke Baldwin “saw the need for something more in our area. There’s really nothing close to us,” she said, citing Kentucky and Tryon, N.C., as major hunter destinations.
The three decided they wanted to organize “a boutique kind of show where we’re really catering to the owners and trainers.” They needed good footing in a location that was a show destination which also would provide something non-horsey for horse show husbands and kids to do.
They found it in Andrew Philbrick’s Princeton Show Jumping site in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township, on the edge of Somerset County by Mercer County. Princeton and its attractions (restaurants, shopping, a museum) are nearby, and the Delaware River with its activities is a relatively short drive for a day trip.
They started working on it in the middle of March when they got the dates. Andrew “greeted us with open arms” and just as important, was open to what they were trying to do at the Princeton Classic show, which runs through July 28. The organizers also received help from Louise Serio and Geoff Teall, who founded the World Championship Hunter Rider group, and they have Phil DeVita as the assistant manager.
Jennifer Bauersachs
Their enthusiasm has been met by others as they raised money and got sponsors. The show’s four hunter derbies have a total of $41,500 in purses. More than $100,000 in cash has been raised, along with $35,000 in prizes.The $25,000 hunter derby on June 28 isn’t a USHJA national derby, however, since it conflicts with HITS in New York. But Jen and her friends are looking toward a possible two-week show next year
“We really feel New Jersey needs to step it up,” said Jen.
“Who knows? Maybe someday we can have the (USEF) Junior Hunter Finals here,” she said.
“We’re really hoping to make it special, something like an Upperville. When you win at those kind of places, it feels special. We want to do our part to keeping hunters as close to what it should be, what it was in years past” in New Jersey.”
For the jumpers at the Classic, the feature is the $30,000 Grand Prix of Princeton at 1:30 p.m.July 28. Other highlights include a reception presented by Tito’s Vodka from 3-6 p.m. July 27. SAVE–A Friend to Homeless Animals, will hold a dog adoption event from 9-11 a.m. July 28.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 24, 2018
The Longhorned tick has spread to a seventh New Jersey county. A little more than a month after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was found at Soldier Hill Golf Course in Bergen County, it also was spotted in Monmouth County and now in Somerset County.
Looks like a pattern here; the tick is probably aiming for all 21 counties in the state..
Previously, the tick was found in Hunterdon, Union, Middlesex and Mercer counties.Some of these findings were a result of a statewide “Tick Blitz,” led by the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology in May and developed primarily by professionals from New Jersey’s county mosquito control programs.
Public parks where the Longhorned tick has been found include Davidson Mill County Pond Park in Middlesex County, as well as the Watchung Reservation, Houdaille Quarry Park and Briant Park in Union County.
Like deer ticks, the nymphs of the Longhorned tick are very small (resembling tiny spiders) and can easily go unnoticed on animals and people. Although specimens identified in New Jersey have not been found to carry pathogens, Longhorned ticks in other countries have been shown to spread diseases. They are known to infest a wide range of species including humans, dogs, cats, and livestock.
“We want to emphasize that it is important that people continue to use normal tick prevention measures for themselves, their pets and livestock,” said Dr. Manoel Tamassia, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian. “We will work to continue to develop strategies to control the spread of the tick to other areas.”
As part of New Jersey’s investigation, counties have set up drop-off locations for the public to submit ticks they find on themselves, their pets, livestock or on wildlife. Information on these locations and how to submit a tick can be found on the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s website at http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/divisions/ah/
A phone line has also been established to leave a message if a tick is found and there is uncertainty about what the next steps are. If you need information about what to do if you find a tick on yourself, your pets or livestock call 1-833-NEWTICK (1-833-639-8425).
For more information on ticks and tick-borne disease visit: Rutgers Center for Vector Biology:http://vectorbio.rutgers.edu/news.php; Rhode Island Tick Encounter site: http://www.tickencounter.org/; or TickCheck Tick Testing: https://www.tickcheck.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 23, 2018
The Delaware Valley Horsemen’s Association is hosting Horses in Hunterdon Aug. 4 with demonstrations of driving, dressage, western, hunters and jumpers, along with vendors, crafters and rescues at its showgrounds, 299 Rosemont-Ringoes Road, Stockton (Sergeantsville)..
Admission to the event, which runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., is $5 car.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 23, 2018
Want to support the Horse Park of New Jersey and enjoy yourself at the same time? Compete in the Aug. 5 fun show at the facility in Allentown, where the classes will include a hunter derby, western games, hunt teams, dressage, gambler’s choice and lots more.
All the money raised will go toward supporting the Horse Park. Judges, stewards, scribes, secretaries and jump crews all are donating their time. Prizes are donated as well, and every blue ribbon comes with a prize. Points will be given for the Thoroughbred Incentive Program and the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association.
Fine out more at www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.
