(TRENTON) – New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus
will help kick-off a major equestrian
competition – the Jersey Fresh
Three-Day Event -- being held at the
Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern
with a “Welcome to New Jersey” gathering
for competitors Thursday, May 12, in
Cream Ridge.
“New Jersey is becoming known internationally for it’s top-notch
equestrian venues and events, attracting the world’s best horses and riders
and the most enthusiastic fans,” said Secretary Kuperus. “It is significant
for our state to host competitions of this caliber that test the skill of both
horse and rider.”
The 2005 Jersey Fresh CCI** and CCI***, being held May 12-15 at the Horse Park,
is recognized as one of the nation’s top competitions, seen as a stepping-stone
for the Olympics and World Championships by many of the competitors. There will
be 98 competitors. Athens Olympics Silver Medalist, John Williams of Virginia,
designed the courses for the event.
Eventing was originally a military event intended to measure the fitness of military
horses. To succeed both rider and horse must be highly trained in these three
tests:
-- Dressage – a French term, meaning training. Dressage comprises a set
series of complicated movements performed in an enclosed arena. It requires precision,
smoothness, suppleness and complete obedience by the horse.
-- Cross-country – the endurance test. It includes four phases: two rounds
of roads and tracks, the steeplechase, and the cross-country.
-- Show Jumping – takes place in the jumping arena. Horse and rider must
negotiate between 12 and 15 show jumping obstacles.
New Jersey’s equine industry is a major segment of New Jersey agriculture
with 49,000 animals and 81,000 acres of land related to equine.
The press event will take place 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at Rick’s
Saddle Shop, Route 539, in Cream Ridge, NJ.
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