by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 10, 2017
The National Resource Conservation Service and the Rutgers Extension Service are partnering again in a free program geared to helping horse farm owners learn about environmental management and equine nutrition while enjoying vintages from New Jersey wineries.
Those attending will be told how to obtain funding for projects through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and find out about the latest in environmental research. All that is required from those who would like to attend is an RSVP to michael.westendorf@rutgers.edu or carey.williams@rutgers.edu.
The program runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m.Oct. 11 at Hidden Hills Farm, 656 River Road, Hillsborough.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 29, 2017
A number of equine organizations are helping to support rescue and rehabilitation efforts in areas of Texas and Louisiana hit by Hurricane Harvey.
The USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund is working with the Houston SPCA. According to USEF CEO Bill Moroney, “As part of our commitment to the health, welfare, and safety of horses, the USEF disaster relief fund was created to assist horses impacted by devastating natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. The outreach and generosity of the equestrian community to support the ongoing emergency assistance in this and future disasters allows us to provide direct financial assistance to the groups involved in the ongoing rescue efforts.”
Click to donate. For more information, contact Vicki Lowell, vlowell@usef.org
The American Association of Equine Practitioners also is marshaling resources to help out. Donations by mail can be sent to: Equine Disaster Relief Fund, AAEP Foundation, 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, Ky 40511. Call (800) 443-0177 (U.S. only) or (859) 233-0147.
If you wish to offer assistance with supplies or other resources, please email Keith Kleine at kkleine@aaep.org and you will be contacted with further instructions.
PATH, the therapeutic riding organization, is also helping. For more information, contact kalm@pathintl.org or call 303-452-1212 x 107.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2017
The most testing of the national equitation championships, the four-part Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East, will be held Oct. 7 and 8 in Gladstone at the U.S Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters off Pottersville Road.
There is no admission fee, so it’s a chance to see how some of the country’s best young riders face the challenges offered by the class. It starts at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 with the flat phase, then moves on at 1 p.m. to the gymnastics section, which is an interesting test of horse and rider. At 8 a.m. Oct. 8, all the riders will jump a course that tests their technical ability. At 1 p.m. that day, the top four will jump a shorter course, then switch off to ride each other’s mounts over the same route.
The class, which has 54 riders qualified to compete will be judged by grand prix riders Jimmy Torano and the 1990 winner McLain Ward, who is representing the U.S. in the FEI Nations’ Cup final the weekend before the Talent Search.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2017
There were days of silence after plans for the world-class dressage competition at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show was cancelled last weekend, but it is being replaced by arena eventing on the Sept. 23 Saturday night of the fixture.
The world’s three top-ranked dressage riders as of August, Isabell Werth of Germany, the USA’s Laura Graves and Carl Hester of Great Britain, where slated to compete at the Wollman Rink in the heart of New York city. But on the heels of the European championships, “recent unforeseen circumstances have impacted several competitors, forcing their withdrawal from the event,” according to a statement from the organizer of the event.
Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton are among those who have signed on for the 8 p.m. arena eventing, which combines show jumping and simulated cross-country at the intermediate/2-star level. It was a big hit in its debut at the Devon Horse Show last May, when the course was designed by Mark Phillips, who will also do the honors in New York. Other riders participating will include Jennie Brannigan, Holly Payne-Caravella and her brother, Doug Payne, as well as two exciting English imports, Burghley winner Oliver Townend and the great William Fox-Pitt. Sara Kozumplik-Murphy, who won at Devon, is also competing.
Meanwhile, the world’s highest-ranked riders in show jumping are set to compete at the show. Kent Farrington, number one in the international standings, and his friend and rival, McLain Ward, number two, will participate Sept. 21 in the evening’s $40,000 speed class, and the night of Sept. 22 in the $216,000 3-star Grand Prix.
A series of hunter classics is featured on the afternoon of Sept. 23, highlighted by the $50,000 Duchossois Cup.
The Central Park competition begins Sept. 20 with an Arabian show. It ends on Sunday, Sept. 24 with exhibitions and free admission
For tickets, go to www.centralparkhorseshow.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2017
(Don’t forget to check out the New Jersey Activities Schedule at the bottom of the On the Rail column)
The Tewksbury Trail Association’s Trail Pace, which draws more riders than any other such competition in the state, is moving into new territory Sept. 17.
Usually held at Christie Hoffman Farm Park in the township, it instead will start at the Hill & Dale Preserve North at Hill & Dale Road and Parsonage Lot, crossing Hill & Dale three times. The route also is going into the South Preserve and the Cold Brook Preserve, where farmer Scott Clucas has cleaned up the trails. There is a choice of a six- or nine-mile ride, with two divisions, adult and junior.
The ride benefits the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, which has been instrumental in preserving land on Hill & Dale and elsewhere. For more information, go to tewksburytrail@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 27, 2017
Racing in an informal atmosphere, from adult amateur competition down to pony and stick pony races, are featured at the Essex Foxhounds Masters’ Chase Sept. 30 at Natirar, the Somerset County park on Main Street in Peapack.
This is an event to which you can bring the family for a relaxing day to benefit the Countryside Alliance of the Somerset Hills. Pony rides, tailgating and a hound parade are part of the gathering.
Gates open at 10 a.m., with races at noon. General admission is $40 per car and tailgate spaces are $500/car. Since it’s a county facility, you can also leave your car in general parking for free and walk over to watch the action. For more information, go to www.essexfoxhounds.org.
