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.