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Photo of a Retired Standardbred Horse - Click to enlarge
Events Planned All Month Throughout the State Celebrating the State Animal

For Immediate Release: June 10, 2011
Contact: Lynne Richmond 
(609) 633-2954

(HAMILTON) – The Month of the Horse in New Jersey is well underway, and New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today 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.”

Photo of Secretary Fisher, Karyn Malinowski and Mary Jo Herbert
Secretary Fisher says hello to Archie with Karyn Malinowski and Mary Jo Herbert, former State Board of Agriculture member representing equine.

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.

“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 Governor Christie declaring June 2011 as 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.”

Photo of Karyn Malinowski, Judy Bokman, and Secretary Fisher
Karyn Malinowski, Judy Bokman and Secretary Fisher talk about the importance of equine to NJ.

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 10 - 12  Windy Hollow Hunt Dressage Show
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Augusta, New Jersey
Contact: (845) 988-5721

June 10 - 12  Jersey Classic Horse Show
Horse Park of NJ
626 Route 524
Allentown, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 995-9807

June 10 - 12  Woodedge Stable Hunter / Jumper Horse Show 
Borton Landing Road
Moorestown, New Jersey
Contact: (856) 235-5623

June 10 - 12  Eastern PA Reining Horse Association Horse Show
Gloucester County Dream Park
400 Route 130
South Logan Twp., New Jersey
Contact: (410) 382-5363

June 11  Smoke Rise Riding Club Hunter Horse Show
1 Talbot Drive
Kinnelon, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 832-7402

June 11  Monmouth County Horse Show Hunter Show
East Freehold Park
Freehold, New Jersey
Contact: (732) 741-3847

June 12  Briarwood Farm Hunter / Jumper Horse Show
161 Pleasant Run Road
Flemington, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 534-8833

June 12  DVHA - Hunter Horse Show
Route 604
Sergentsville, New Jersey
Contact: (610) 847-2613

June 12  Monmouth County Hunt Hunter Pace
East Branch Road
Allentown, New Jersey
Contact: (732) 303-1216

June 12  Central Jersey Horseman's Association Schooling Show
English / Western / Standardbred Divisions
East Freehold Park
Freehold, New Jersey

June 12  Friends of Lord Stirling Stable (FLSS) Adult Horse Show
256 South Maple Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Contact: (908) 766-5955 

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 RoadBedminster, 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: www.kenwoodracing.com or www.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