UPPER FREEHOLD – New Jersey Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Horse Park of New Jersey and the completed upgrade to its grand prix show ring during the 16th annual Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event.
Fisher visited the site on Route 524, Upper Freehold Township, on May 10.
The Horse Park of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization which has been in operation since May 1988 and is managed by an all-volunteer staff, which includes current Horse Park President Allyson Jeffery, according to a press release from the Department of Agriculture.
The Horse Park’s mission is to make available to the public a wide range of equine activities which are educational, competitive and recreational in nature, such as clinics, seminars, demonstrations, programs for the handicapped, trail rides, horse shows, combined events, polo, dressage, hunt races, rodeos and driving marathons.
“The Horse Park is a beautiful setting to have so many equestrian events take place,” Fisher said. “During these 30 years, the Horse Park has established itself as one of the premier equestrian locations in the country as witnessed by the horses and their riders that come from all over the world to compete here during the Jersey Fresh International. We are pleased the grand prix show ring has been upgraded to make the Horse Park an even better place for horses and riders to display their skills.”
This year the Jersey Fresh International was a U.S. Eventing Team qualifier for the World Equestrian Games that will take place in North Carolina in September. The Horse Park has also been a regular site for the U.S. Equestrian Olympic trials in recent years.
Jeffery said she hopes the upgrading of the grand prix show ring, as well as planned upgrades to two other show rings, is a first step in the park continuing to be a top destination for local, state, national and international competitions.
“We must find a way to broaden the park’s economic base and strengthen our infrastructure so we can continue for another 30 years,” Jeffery said. “One of our goals for 2018 is to spread the word as to the park’s important role on so many fronts. Improving our arena footing is just a start to the much more critical need to establish firm financial footing for the park.”
The Horse Park plays host to a variety of local and state equine and agricultural events throughout the year, including horse shows, handicapped riding, high school level competitions and 4-H and FFA activities, according to the press release.
“We could not be more excited to see the fruits of our labor go back to all the riders and horses that use this park,” Jeffery said. “We hope to work with the Department of Agriculture on future projects as we continue to expand and grow the Horse Park of New Jersey.”