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Dust Off Your Saddle, Grab the Reins and
Hold Onto Your Hat…
It's Time to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of
the Designation of the Horse as New Jersey's State Animal
The New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism Encourages
Visitors to Do a Little Horsing Around in the Garden State
Trenton, NJ—To mark the 30th
anniversary of the horse being named the official state animal,
as well as the honor of hosting the prestigious 2007 Breeders’
Cup, experience some of the horse-related destinations and activities
that separate a Garden State getaway from the rest of the pack.
From action-packed activities to family-friendly outings and historical
experiences, look no further than New Jersey to learn more about
the beloved state animal, the hard-working, fun-loving horse.
Did you know…There are more horses per square
mile in New Jersey than any other state in the nation? It’s
true! In fact, there are countless equine facilities, activities,
and destinations across the state ready to excite, educate and entertain
visitors.
“2007 marks a milestone for New Jersey in a
celebratory sense with this anniversary, but also in a literal sense
with large-scale horse events being hosted here in the coming months.
For the first time, the internationally acclaimed Breeders’
Cup Thoroughbred horse race -- touted as the richest day in sports
-- will be hosted at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park in October,
bringing international recognition to the caliber of the state’s
facilities and reinforcing New Jersey’s legitimacy in the
industry,” stated Executive Director of the New Jersey Office
of Travel & Tourism, Nancy Byrne.
“While the Breeders’ Cup presents a great
opportunity to bring attention to the equine industry in New Jersey,
there are plenty of non-racing horse-related activities and destinations
that are open year-round throughout the state that we encourage
individuals, couples and families to get out and explore,”
Byrne added.
The only question is what kind of experience are you
looking for?
- If you want to get back to the basics, spend the day
immersed in nature, riding your horse on one of the peaceful trails
in Bass River State Forest in the Pine Barrens in Burlington County,
where you are a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean yet
a world away from the stresses of everyday life.
- If you don’t own a horse, yet want to get out
there and relive the days of the Wild West, experience the ultimate
in Western riding on the East Coast at the Double D Guest Ranch
in Blairstown, where real wranglers and tamed horses can accommodate
the very beginner to the most experienced rider.
- Interested in visiting a world-class equine exhibition
facility that has played host to a formidable array of events,
including the Athens Olympic trials? At the 147-acre Horse Park
of New Jersey in Stone Tavern, spectators can watch amateur and
professional shows, exhibitions and dressage championships on
most weekends and many weekdays from March through November.
- More interested in watching horses in action? Hoof it
on over to the Monmouth Park Racetrack for a day at the races,
where horses compete up to five days a week from May to September.
Families are treated to Family Fun Day at Monmouth Park every
Sunday during the season, when the excitement for the “colts”
and “fillies” in the group starts on the Green and
spreads all the way to the picnic area, with clowns, face painters,
live music, pony rides and more.
- For a more educational experience, visit one of the
state’s living historical farms to see the integral role
the horse played on a working farm in the early 1900s. At Howell
Living History Farm, visitors can witness draft horses demonstrate
the horse-drawn field operations used in over 25 agricultural
field operations at the turn of the century. Stick around the
farm on select days to learn about horse health by participating
in visits from the horse doctor, dentist, and shoer.
- Looking for a night of horse-related entertainment?
Take your family for a fun-filled evening of boardwalk entertainment
in Seaside Heights, where children of all ages have the opportunity
to ride the turn of the century Floyd L. Moreland carousel with
colorful hand-carved horses that have been restored to their original
grandeur.
- Round out your week with a visit to the longest continuously
running Saturday night rodeo in the country, Cowtown Rodeo in
Pilesgrove, where you can witness bareback bronc riding, calf
roping, barrel racing and steer wrestling.
- To infuse a horse theme in your culinary quest, enjoy
dinner in Jersey City at a tavern named after the infamous Cavalryman
in the Continental Army, Henry “Light Horse Harry”
Lee III. At the Light Horse Tavern, you will sit in the historic
neighborhood where, in 1779, Major Lee led a troop of 300 men
who forced the British to abandon their plans for taking rebel
positions in the New York area.
- Or journey back even further in time to the 11th century,
to witness noble knights joust on horseback during a dinner tournament
of fun, feasting and fighting with a visit to Medieval Times in
Lyndhurst.
Whatever your level of general interest in the species
or skills in the ring, the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism
encourages visitors to experience the state’s equine treasures
just waiting to be discovered.
For further information about the horse industry in
New Jersey and to schedule an interview with Nancy Byrne, executive
director, Office of Travel & Tourism, please contact Sarah Rohlfing
at (973) 871-1748. To plan a trip to New Jersey, log on to www.visitnj.org.
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