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FESTIVAL OF HORSES SET FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
Horse Shows, Pony Rides, Petting Farm and More Slated for Horse Park
 

For Immediate Release: August 3, 2004

Contact:

Jeff Beach
(609)292-8896
jeffrey.beach@ag.state.nj.us

 

 

 

(TRENTON) - Whether you like to look at horses, ride them or maybe even adopt one, the Horse Park of New Jersey is the place to be on Sunday, August 8.

The 16th annual Festival of Horses will highlight the state’s equine industry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Horse Park that day, with an array of family-fun activities on tap.

Included are a standardbred yearling show, mare and foal show, drill team competition, petting farm, pony rides, face painting and equine demonstrations and educational exhibits.

“The equine industry is a very important sector of agriculture in our state,” said New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus. “This Festival provides the perfect opportunity for the equine community to show everyone why so much excitement surrounds their activities. In addition, the Horse Park is an ideal facility for this Festival.”

The Festival also offers an opportunity for adopting horses through the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. The Freehold-based non-profit foundation finds homes for retired standardbred racehorses when their careers are done. To date, SRF has adopted 1,100 horses into new homes

On the day of the festival, SRF will waive its usual minimum donation for horse adoption. Those wishing to adopt a horse and take it home the day of the Festival should get prior approval by filling out an application at the SRF web site, www.adoptahorse.org .

Also during the Festival, the first group of meat goats made available through an Agriculture Department program will be the subject of a lottery sale. The program, designed to encourage young and new farmers to raise meat goats to meet a growing demand in New Jersey, has proven popular, with nearly 100 goats already committed for sale.

Directions to the Horse Park

From the North or South – Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 7A and head East on Interstate 195 to Exit 11. Make a left at the top of the ramp and go to Route 524. Make a right onto Route 524 and follow to the Horse Park about 1½ miles on the left.

From the East – Take Interstate 195 westbound to Exit 11. Make a right at the top of the ramp to Route 524, then a right onto Route 524 and follow to the Horse Park on the left.

From the West – Take Interstate 195 eastbound to Exit 11, make a left at the top of ramp to Route 524, then a right onto Route 524 and follow to the Horse Park on the left