By Maddy Anand, Packet Media Group
Spectators swarmed to Hunter Farms North July 8 for the kickoff of the Princeton Show Jumping Summer Series competitions. The competitions will continue every day until July 12.
Free to the public, this event brought in people both locally and nationally who enjoy watching the equestrian event.
The riders, some of whom were Olympic gold medalists, rode world class horses at the competitions. The 110-acre venue also provided plenty of space for roaming and viewing.
Joann Roze, who is in charge of the VIP tables and vendor relations, said she was excited about the new vendors at the series this time, both locally and internationally.
“We’re also looking forward to having waffles and ice cream,” she said about the family day scheduled for Sunday. This day includes free pony rides, face painting, sand art, a horse show, shopping, a DJ, and a clown.
“We’re really trying to reach out to the local community more,” Mrs. Roze said. They organization also has partnered with the SAVE animal shelter in Princeton to have dogs available for adoption. “Wherever there’s horses, there’s always dogs,” she said.
Andrew Philbrick is the owner and show manager and was a former international jumper rider himself for 35 years. “I really enjoyed those top horse shows, so now that I’m not riding, I really enjoy organizing horse shows for the other competitors and horses.”
He also said the sport was unique in numerous ways. “It’s the only Olympic sport where men and women compete on equal footing, there’s no gold medal for the women’s team or the men’s team, there’s only one.”
This event required many different people, businesses, and ideas to come together. Mr. Philbrick talked about the building of the brand new state-of-the-art farm and equestrian facility.
“Building a competition facility like this is a really major undertaking,” he said, adding that the competition rings need to work in any weather, so a full-draining sport footing is critical. “Like any other major sporting events, the details really are the complicated part.”
For more information, visit http://www.princetonshowjumping.com.
