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.
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