Saddle
Brook Ridge Equestrian Center in Shamong, Burlington
County, will hold an open house from 1 to 4 pm
Sunday, June 7, as part of the Garden State equine
industry's observance of June as "Month of the
Horse." Dr. Gail Pratt, owner of Saddle Brook Ridge,
will host the event. Throughout the afternoon there
will be a variety of demonstrations including musical
dressage, farrier (horseshoeing) and an assortment
of riding and carriage-driving demonstrations.
The 100-acre equestrian training center includes
an indoor arena for year-round riding and training
as well as access to riding trails in the adjacent
Wharton State Forest. The annual observance of
Horse Month gives New Jerseyans an opportunity
to focus on the state animal and the recreational,
economic and scenic benefits the equine industry
provides around the state. The Garden State is
home to 60,000 horses of nearly every size, breed
and pedigree. With more than 7,000 equine facilities
covering 120,000 acres of land devoted to breeding
and raising of horses, the state's $4.5 billion
equine industry is an important part of New Jersey's
agriculture industry. The acreage devoted to equine
operations contributes significantly to the state's
open space, scenic vistas and wildlife habitat,
while the equine industry as a whole is a major
component of New Jersey's economy. Approximately
$600 million is spent annually in New Jersey by
equine operations and owners. The industry directly
employs over 10,000 people, not including farriers,
veterinarians, feed and bedding producers and dealers,
tack shops, equipment manufacturers and dealers,
trainers, grooms, jockeys and many more. There
are a wide range of equine activities offered in
the Garden State throughout the year from exciting
Thoroughbred and Standardbred races to rodeos,
horse shows, clinics, trail rides, hunter paces,
recreational riding, 4-H and FFA programs, and
handicapped riding programs.
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DIRECTIONS: Take
Route 70 to Medford. Follow Route 541 (Stokes
Road) south for 6 2 miles to Grassy Lake Road.
Turn right on Grassy Lake Road and the entrance
to Saddle Brook Ridge is about a mile ahead on
the left.
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