Young women earn scholarships

The daughters of three trainers were named the 2015 recipients of $2,500 scholarships from the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ).

The honorees are Caitlin McDermott of Allentown, daughter of Kevin and Sheri McDermott; Leah Mazer-Posner of Jackson, daughter of Colleen and Mike Posner; and Stephanie Lauer of Hightstown, daughter of Bruce and Marie Lauer.

Caitlin McDermott, 20, is preparing to combine her “knowledge of horses and human therapeutic techniques into an amazing career.”

McDermott expects to graduate from Florida Southern College in May 2016 with a degree in biological sciences and athletic training. She was the recipient of an SBOANJ scholarship in 2012 and was a past Standardbred Equestrian of the Year, according to a press release from the organization.

Posner “always knew I wanted to have a career that involved horses” and now has the goal to be an equine surgeon. The 18- year-old competitively shows horses and volunteers to foster rescue dogs.

She is enrolled at Ocean County College where she took two courses while she was a senior in high school this past spring.

Lauer, a four-year honor roll student in high school, spent her freshman year at Radford University and transferred to the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in 2014. She is a competitive swimmer and owns a standardbred who raced in her father’s stable and is now retired as her riding horse.

“I am majoring in special education,” Lauer said. “I plan on continuing my dream with a riding facility.”

She hopes to use standardbreds to teach riding “to mentally and physically challenged people … and to work with wounded soldiers.”

McDermott, Posner and Lauer will be presented with their scholarship checks and plaques in the Meadowlands winner’s circle on July 25, the night of the Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic and the Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey.