The Horse Park’s grand prix ring as it looked last year during Jersey Fresh, when it wasn’t ready for jumping. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Resolving footing issues is important work for the off-season at showgrounds in the northern climes.
At the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, all outdoor rings including the warm-up arena, the Lazelle Knocke (East) Ring and West Ring have undergone repair and maintenance work with the help of Aaron Thompson.
Aaron, based in North Carolina, grooms arenas for various event facilities including the Carolina Horse Park, Morven Park, Va., Devon, Pa. and Fair Hill, Md. First as a rider/working student of Denny Emerson, then moving to professional arena grooming, he understands the discipline-specific needs the Horse Park arenas must offer.
The grand prix arena, which was redone last spring but wasn’t ready to be used for the Jersey Fresh event’s show jumping, has had material added. It was worked and then tucked in before a good snowfall to assist in the settling process. Of course, there has been more rain than snow in New Jersey this winter.
The Horse Park is having a fundraiser from 4-10 p.m. March 14 at the Texas Roadhouse, 1305 Route 33, Hamilton, with 10 percent of patrons’ order (including gift cards and takeout) going to the Horse Park.
At the Hampton Classic on Long Island, only a final grading and sod installation for this spring remain for the re-do of the grass grand prix field that drew some criticism at last year’s show.
Work began on the Hampton Classic’s grand prix arena as soon as the awards ceremony for the featured class ended.
The project is being managed by Allen Rheinheimer, the show’s equestrian manager, along with the Hampton Classic’s turf consultant, Steven McDonald, the founder of Turfgrass Disease Solutions LLC. He consults for more than 150 athletic fields, golf courses, and turfgrass systems each year. He teaches Turf Management and Turfgrass Weed Science at Rutgers University.
Meanwhile, the Classic is about two-thirds of the way to its $1 million goal that will pay for the project. Those who wish to donate can go to this link .