Today the state of New Jersey has lifted pandemic-imposed restrictions on horseback riding, but that won’t mean the reopening of the lesson program at the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge.
A month ago, the park commission decided to cancel until the end of the year all programming which involves events, clinics, lessons and camps at a variety of commission facilities, including the stable. The reason is financial, with the commission citing the loss of revenue due to Covid-related closure of its golf courses during March and April, and limits on the number of players who could go out during part of May.
Of the approximately $9 million in revenue generated by the commission, approximately $6.5 million comes from golf. Part of those proceeds pay much of the costs at the stable, which does not sustain itself financially. An estimate of revenue losses from golf just through the end of June came in at $2.5 million. In order to cope, $2.1 million in the commission’s operating budget was earmarked for cancellation.
The stable had a deficit of more than $500,000 in 2019, although economies made in running the facility brought that figure down from more than $700,000 12 years ago, according to an article by stable manager Marge Margentino. She was writing in the spring newsletter put out by Friends of Lord Stirling Stable, a volunteer group that supports the stable and the park commission’s efforts, along with the school horse retirement program.
Geoffrey Soriano, secretary-director of the park commission, said that while everything run by the Park Commission does not have to break even or make a profit, “the losses incurred at some of our facilities have caused the Commission to reconsider its business model.”
At the end of 2019, even before the advent of Covid, a downsizing decision for the stable was made. Marge noted in the newsletter that lesson registration at the stable was down 19 percent, part of a nationwide trend. According to statistics from the American Horse Council and the American Horse Publications association, since 2005 the equine industry as a whole has had a downturn, with fewer riders participating in pleasure and trail riding. Meanwhile, the state’s Covid-related prohibition of gatherings, such as pony parties, would hurt revenue as well.
After the cancellation decision, some horses were sent to be sold by Pond Hill in Vermont, the business from which they were purchased, some went into the retirement program and others were turned out on Lord Stirling’s pastures.
Lord Stirling’s lesson horses were put out to pasture before being dispersed for financial reasons.
This month, however, all the remaining lesson horses have been dispersed. One group went to Pond Hill, while others became part of the retirement program. The dispersal meant enough money was saved so employees on the staff of 12 did not have to be laid off. In addition to caring for horses, however, tight finances mean staff has to pitch in elsewhere by rotating out to different park commission facilities, where they do everything from planting flowers and weeding to other forms of maintenance.
In a letter explaining the situation that was sent this week to those who ride at the stable, Geoff stated that the decision to disperse the herd was made after much deliberation.
“Financially, there is no other option. The cost to maintain the remaining horses over the next seven months excluding labor, facility costs and utilities is more than $115,000,” the letter stated.
Including those items and equipment maintenance brings the total to just under $409,000, and it would have been even more expensive with additional costs if programming were to resume. An extra financial burden in the wake of Covid would have stemmed from the need to adhere to Centers for Disease Control guidelines and other government restrictions.
Five ponies remain at Lord Stirling–they are relatively low-cost to keep, and good ones are hard to replace. Boarders are staying and more will be taken in to fill the stable’s box stalls. Some of the retired school horses in the Friends program also are still at the stable.
Lord Stirling Stable has been honored by Rutgers as a Gold Medal Horse Farm for its dedication to environmental sustainability.
Although money has been set aside to purchase or lease horses in January, when lessons can start up again beginning with advanced riders to get the animals acclimated, questions remain about the stable’s future. (to learn more about Lord Stirling, click here)
“The Park Commission is responsibly and diligently looking at all options,” Geoff observed, noting a committee is examining alternatives for the stable, which could include having a private operator lease it.
There are eight county-owned stables in New Jersey in addition to Lord Stirling. They are located in Mercer, Gloucester, Essex, Bergen, Union, Passaic, Monmouth and Morris counties. Only Union, Somerset and Mercer have county-run lesson programs. Monmouth is limited to therapeutic riding and Gloucester is primarily an events-oriented facility with a private lesson purveyor, while the others are leased to private operators.
Asked whether the stable might close, Geoff responded, “Lord Stirling Stable has been in existence for over five decades. As such, any permanent closure would only occur after all other prudent options have been completely exhausted.”
Anything run by government has increased expense because bidding for goods and services is required, and costs for employees are higher due to benefits and pensions. A privately run stable doesn’t have to go out to bid for items, and can buy and disperse horses any way it chooses. But according to state law, Lord Stirling’s horses may be purchased only through an auction or licensed dealer, both of which must have a New Jersey registration certificate.
Horses must be dispersed through those avenues or the retirement program, which has eligibility requirements for the horses it takes. Current riders in this instance, however, may be able to purchase horses from the dealer, but must wait to be advised of how to do that, according to the letter.
Sadly, there are ever-fewer places in the country today where people can learn to ride, or be involved with equestrian sports if they don’t have a horse. Lord Stirling has developed a community of devoted riders, many of whom have been part of its program for years.
Trail rides have been part of the fun at Lord Stirling.
“What we’re doing for members is to try and keep them encouraged,” said Nancy Brown, president of the Friends, which has 150 members and access to mailing lists that can bring in volunteers as needed.
“We’re trying to keep our organization intact. We’re trying to look at increasing our online fundraising,” she said, noting an online gift auction will replace the facility’s holiday festival at the stable. It is the group’s largest fundraiser, benefiting the school horse retirement program.
As Marge noted, the riders aren’t the only ones feeling a loss.
“It’s been a very tough emotional time for the staff,” she explained.
“They spend eight hours a day, seven days week with these horses.”
