Home > News > Press Releases
 
Horse Park of New Jersey Receives Agway Grant
 
For Immediate Release: October 8, 1998 Contact:

Hope Gruzlovic
(609)292-8896
hope.gruzlovic@ag.state.nj.us

     

Agriculture Secretary Art Brown, Jr. and the trustees of the Horse Park of New Jersey today thanked Agway Equine Specialists Leanna Boyle and Jennifer Powers for a $75,000 Agway Corporation grant that will provide seating for fans and competitors at the Horse Park. The grant will be spent over a three-year period to install seating in the newly constructed grandstand. A large portion of the new seats will be handicapped accessible. "This grant will enable us to continue the Horse Park's development as a first rate exhibition and competition facility," said Brown. "Agway's generous contribution to this facility underscores their commitment to the equine industry and the educational program the Park offers to children and adults alike." Powers said that Agway decided that the Horse Park of New Jersey deserved the $75,000 grant because of the vast array of programs and events that are held there each year for visitors of all ages. "Agway applauds the educational programs that are held at the Park during special events, including the horse care scout badge program that affords Boy and Girl scouts across the state the opportunity to earn one of their badges while they learn about the Garden State's official animal," Powers added. Located in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County, the 147-acre Horse Park hosts a full season of competitive and exhibition events. Included in the Park's educational efforts this year were the State FFA Horse Judging event in which 44 FFA students competed in both western and English riding competitions; the State 4-H Horse Show, which saw 600 entrants between the ages of 4 and 12 who vied for ribbons in various showmanship categories; the National Championship Standardbred Pleasure Horse Show, which attracted 100 competitors from as far away as Maine; and the State Handicapped Riding Show in which mentally and physically and emotionally challenged riders demonstrated their riding abilities. In addition at the annual Festival of Horses in August, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey fingerprinted children between the ages of six month and 18 years so that parents could retain the prints for identification purposes in the event of an emergency. The Horse Park of New Jersey is operated by a private not-for-profit corporation. Information and schedules are available by calling (609) 259-0170 or on the internet at http://njhorsepark.com.