Anyone who has spent time with Lynn Matthews knows she is rarely at a loss for words. The one exception was the moment when the N.J. Department of Agriculture’s equine specialist learned she would be getting the prestigious Spirt of the Horse award at this month’s Rutgers Equine Science Center Evening of Science and Celebration.
Lynn laughed while remembering how ESC Founding Director Karyn Malinowski “had never seen me speechless” until she told the astounded recipient about the award.
“I couldn’t say anything, I was so excited. I’ve never been recognized in my entire career in state government because I always say, `No, no, no, the board chairman should get it,’ or this one or that one,” explained Lynn, who for more than three decades has done several jobs that benefit agriculture in New Jersey, including serving as secretary of both the state Equine Advisory Board and the board of the Horse Park of New Jersey. The award recognizes those whose lives have been impacted by their involvement with horses and who continue to give back to horses and the equine industry
“I’m not one for the limelight,” Lynn explained. “But this was my night and it was virtual and it was absolutely amazing.”
As Karyn noted, “Lynn unselfishly and tirelessly has dedicated her whole life to our industry. Sometimes people go above and beyond in their efforts, and Lynn is one of those people. Her summers and weekends are non-existent because she is working all the time. For that, the Equine Science Center wanted to recognize Lynn with this Spirit of the Horse award.”
Adam Furlong, president of the Horse Park of New Jersey, observed, “I cannot imagine that there are many people who have expended more energy and resources for the well-being of the park over the last 30-some years than she has”
For many, Adam noted, “She is practically synonymous with the Horse Park. I know few people in life who have greater passions or care than Lynn does for the Horse Park.”.
Lynn Mathews, left, at the Horse Park of New Jersey, with her niece, Grace Goeke and Tony, a 30-plus pony Lynn took care of for years.
Lynn actually had to get permission to accept the trophy that now sits proudly in the hutch in the dining room at her home, because there are strict rules about state workers accepting gifts. Lynn was thrilled that her supervisor, Joe Atchison, the director of marketing and development for the department of agriculture, also was on the Zoom call for the ceremony.
State Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher recognized Lynn by saying she, “serves the New Jersey equine community with great passion and commitment. She epitomizes the spirit of helping others, working hard, and getting results. In countless equine endeavors in New Jersey, Lynn has benefited so many people and activities throughout the years.”
Lynn’s first horse show experience was at the Morristown Armory, where the eight-year-old won her class on a pony named King Magic. Interestingly, the blue ribbon was pinned on his bridle by Lt. Col. James Marsh, who would go on to be president of the New Jersey Horse Council and take a leading role in the horse industry. He was someone Lynn would come to know very well.
During her youth in Lancaster, Pa., Lynn rode saddlebreds, winning a wide variety of saddle seat equitation classes and riding in the Good Hands at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden.
Lynn Mathews as a teen on her equitation horse, The Rogue.
She had a nice walk-trot mare that she rode to fifth place in a big ladies’ class at Devon. But after that horse bowed a tendon she got involved with Standardbreds. After buying, breaking and training a Standardbred filly, she went to Liberty Bell Park and got a job with Joe Greene. She met her husband, Rob Mathews, because Joe’s farm was buying hay from him. The couple now runs a Christmas tree farm in Chesterfield Township.
She picked up her trainer’s license before becoming involved with officiating, serving as a program director for the New Jersey Sire Stakes. Then 33 years ago, Lynn came on board with the department of agriculture.
That gave her “unbelievable opportunities to share my passion with kids and help them learn to be good horsemen and stable managers. The kids are our future, and if we can’t keep them excited somehow, there’s going to be a lot more big buildings and not as much agriculture.”
Lynn’s other positions with the department of agriculture include coordinating the junior breeder program, serving as the agricultural fair coordinator and being a member of the Animal Emergency Working Group. (Her husband goes with her to help in that regard.)
“He’s just the best partner in the world,” said Lynn. Karyn noted that when emergencies arise, “Lynn is there to help as a loyal supporter of the equine community in the state of New Jersey.”
She’s been a stand-in for director of the Sire Stakes program, since that person retired unexpectedly. Her load is a bit lighter now, since she just retired as an Emergency Medical Technician as well as a teaching CPR and Red Cross first aid.
Everything she has done has helped make a difference.
“I love giving back,” said Lynn, who earned a degree from Thomas Edison State University. She was quick to acknowledge, “My family and the department have been Incredible support for anything that I want to do for agriculture for horses.”
The other honor presented during the evening was the Gold Medal Horse Farm Award, which went to the 64-acre Centenary University Equestrian Center in Long Valley. Part of the New Jersey Equine Environmental Stewardship Program, the award recognizes outstanding equine farms for their dedication to environmental sustainability and management.
