Community Corner
June is Horse Month
Events planned all month throughout the state to celebrate the animal.
The Month of the Horse in New Jersey is well underway, and New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher visited the Standardbred Retirement Foundation in Hamilton Township to highlight the many unique equine activities and facilities the state has to offer.
“Horses are meaningful to our state in many ways,” said Secretary Fisher. “We enjoy riding them, watching them compete in shows or races; they provide therapeutic opportunities for those in need; and the industry and related businesses generate jobs and a great deal of revenue that help improve the quality of life in the Garden State.”
The state’s equine industry is valued at $4 billion and generates $1.1 billion annually in positive impact to the state’s economy. A Rutgers Equine Science Center study showed there are 7,200 equine facilities on 176,000 acres and 42,500 equine animals in New Jersey.
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“The Rutgers Equine Science Center is proud to be a partner with the Standardbred Retirement Foundation in carrying out our mission of better horse care through research and education,” said Karyn Malinowski, director of the Equine Science Center.
Secretary Fisher presented the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) with a proclamation from Gov. Chris Christie declaring June 2011 as the Month of the Horse. The proclamation states, “The horse has been honored in New Jersey since 1777 when the State Seal was adopted including its image, and was formally designated as the state animal in 1977; and New Jersey has long been recognized as one of the nation’s most sophisticated equine industry states, with horses of all sizes and breeds adding a special dimension to the lives of many citizens of New Jersey.”
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The SRF was founded in 1989 to care for, rehabilitate and secure lifetime adoption of non-competitive racehorses. The SRF also combines the needs of youth at risk with these horses in therapeutic equine programs to benefit both the horse and the youth.
The SRF has successfully facilitated more than 2,300 adoptions of former harness race horses, including providing the Newark Police Department with 12 horses for their mounted police and a horse for the Connecticut Governor’s Color Guard. The organization is currently caring for 175 horses, but there is a waiting list for horses entering the program.
“We operate through fundraising and gifts and currently lease the facility in Hamilton,” said Judith Bokman, one of the founders of SRF. “We would like to have a more permanent home where we can provide for turnout, retraining areas and boarding all in one place.”
For those wishing to volunteer or make a donation, visit the SRF website at www.adoptahorse.org.
There is a similar adoption program for Thoroughbred horses in New Jersey called ReRun www.rerun.org and other horse adoption organizations. For a list of equine rescue facilities, visit www.jerseyequine.nj.gov/equinerescue.htm. For the New Jersey Directory of Equine Facilities, visit www.jerseyequine.nj.gov/equinefacilities.pdf.
For more information on the Department’s equine programs, visit www.jerseyequine.nj.gov. For information on the Sire Stakes Program, visit www.jerseyequine.nj.gov/sirestakes.htm.
Secretary Fisher outlined some of the equine events planned for the Month of the Horse:
June 15 Sunrise Series Sussex Horse Show
County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Augusta, New Jersey
Contact: (973) 948-5022
June 15 Friends of Lord Stirling Stable (FLSS)
Moonlight Trail Ride
256 South Maple Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 766-5955
June 16 Palermo Horse Show
Jumpers & Equitation
1555A Burnt Mills Road
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
Contact: (908) 719-7500
June 16 ESDCTA Cross Country Schooling
Horse Park of NJ
626 Route 524
Allentown, New Jersey
Contact: (215) 489-1557
June 16 Kenwood Racing Presents “An Insider’s Look at Thoroughbred Racing”
Part 2 of a 3 part speaking series by Rob Levinsky in celebration of the Month of the Horse. 7pm.
Eastern Branch of Monmouth County Library
101 Route 35, Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Contact: kenwoodracing.com or monmouthcountylib.org
June 17 The Ridge @ Riverview Equitation Show
3 Wolverton Road
Asbury, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 479-6171
June 18 Monmouth County Horse Show
Hunter Show
East Freehold Park
Freehold, New Jersey
Contact: (732) 741-3847
June 18 Friends of Lord Stirling Stable (FLSS)
Spring Junior Horse Show
256 South Maple Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 766-5955
June 18 Sussex County Horse Show
Benefit Show
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Augusta, New Jersey
Contact: (973) 875-9548
June 18 - 19 NJ Half Arabian Horse Show
Horse Park of New Jersey
Route 524
Allentown, New Jersey
Contact: (610) 914-7008
June 19 DVHA - Western & Draft Horse Show
Route 604
Sergentsville, New Jersey
Contact Western:(908) 850-3867
Contact Draft: (609) 723-1257
June 19 Friends of Lord Stirling Stable (FLSS)
Father's Day Ride
256 South Maple Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 766-5955
June 19 Snowbird Acres Hunter Horse Show
204 Schooley's Mountain Road
Long Valley, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 876-4200
June 22 Sussex County Horse Show
Benefit Show
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Augusta, New Jersey
Contact: (973) 875-9548
June 22 Good Times Farm Dressage Schooling Show
278 Jackson Mills Road
Freehold, New Jersey
Contact: (609) 203-6142
June 23 DVHA - Thursday Night Dressage Horse Show
Route 604
Sergentsville, New Jersey
Contact: (215) 348-4443
June 23 - 26 Middlesex County Horse Show
Horse Park of NJ
626 Route 524
Allentown, New Jersey
Contact: (609) 448-3492
June 23 - 26 NJ Quarter Horse Association Horse Show
Gloucester County Dream Park
400 Route 130
South Logan Twp., New Jersey
Contact: (609) 296-6030
June 23 Kenwood Racing Hosts “The Status of Horse Racing in New Jersey Today”
Part 3 of a 3 part speaking series by Rob Levinsky in celebration of the Month of the Horse. 7pm.
Eastern Branch of Monmouth County Library
101 Route 35, Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Contact: www.kenwoodracing.com or www.monmouthcountylib.org
June 25 - 26 Sussex County Horse Show
Benefit Show
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Augusta, New Jersey
Contact: (973) 875-9548
June 26 DVHA - Jumper Horse Show
Route 604
Sergentsville, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 735-8093
June 26 Fidler Run Farm Dressage Horse Show
456 Fidler Road
Woodbine, New Jersey
Contact: (609) 861-1057
June 27 Horse Park of New Jersey Annual Meeting
Horse Park of NJ
626 Route 524
Allentown, New Jersey
Contact: (609) 259-0170
June 29 Suddenly Farm Dressage Show
325 Main Street
Lumberton, New Jersey
Contact: (609) 953-3484
June 29 - July 3 Hunter Farms Hunter Horse Show
1315 The Great Road
Princeton, New Jersey
Contact: (609) 924-2932
Every Saturday, 7:30pm, Cowtown Rodeo
780 Harding Highway
Pilesgrove, New Jersey
Contact: 856-769-3200
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