Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
(TRENTON) – One of the nation’s top eventing competitions, the 2010 Jersey Fresh CCI** and CCI***, will be held May 6 through May 9 at the Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern.
Along with the country’s top horse and rider combinations competing in the three-star event, the two-star will test the skills of the newer, up and coming combinations.
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, with a galloping trek of three miles and 30 jumps.
- Show Jumping – takes place in the jumping arena. Horse and rider must negotiate between 12 and 15 show jumping obstacles.
The dressage phase will take place Thursday and Friday, May 6 and 7; cross-country on Saturday, May8; and, show jumping along with the awards presentation will take place Sunday, May 9.
Along with the equestrian competition, there will be many vendors offering everything from jewelry, clothing and artwork to riding attire, horse equipment and food.
On Saturday, May 8, a dinner and art auction will be held at the Horse Park, with the proceeds to benefit ReRun, whose mission is to provide rest, rehabilitation and retraining to Thoroughbred ex-racehorses who are no longer competitive at the racetrack. For reservations, call 609- 259-0170 or e-mail horseparkofnj@aol.com.
The New Jersey equine industry is valued at $4 billion and generates $1.1 billion annually in positive impact to the state’s economy, according to a recent study by the Rutgers Equine Science Center. The study showed there are 7,200 equine facilities on 176,000 acres and 42,500 equine animals.
