February 2023 Issue

Visit us online at www.eastcoastequestrian.net EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN February 2023 Page 21 The Rutgers Equine Science Center hosted its 2022 "Evening of Science & Celebration" in November in New Brunswick, NJ. Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, this year honored Dr. Octavia Brown and Stoneleigh Farms with annual awards. Dr. Brown received the 2023 “Spirit of the Horse” award for her stalwart support of the equine community, and her long-time commitment to the advancement of Equine Assisted Services nationwide. Born in England, Octavia Brown emigrated to the USA in 1964. She earned her Master of Education from Harvard Gradu- ate School of Education in 1971 and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2008 by Centenary University. A founder of the North American Riding for the Handicapped As- sociation (now PATH Internation- al) in 1969, she served four terms on the board of directors. She is a PATH Master Instructor. In 1972 she founded the first equine assisted services program in New Jersey, now known as Mane Stream and founded, with Barbara Isaac, Health And Rec- reation through Horses (HRH of NJ) in 1980. Joining the facul- ty of Centenary University in 1997, she founded and directed Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC) as both a PATH Accred- ited EAS Center and training site for future TR instructors. She is now an Emeritus Professor of Equine Studies at Centenary and continues to mentor future TR instructors. Dr. Brown is past president of the Federation Riding for the Dis- abled International, having served six years on the board of trustees. Honored in 1982 as the NJ Horse Person of the Year by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board, she received PATH’s James Brady Award for Lifetime Achievement in Therapeutic Riding in 1988. In 2022 she received the Humani- tarian of the Year Award from the Equus Foundation, and the Golden Dome Award from Centenary University. Farm Stewardship Award The 2022 winner of the “Gold Medal Horse Farm” award Rutgers Equine Center Hosts Evening of Science and Celebration is Stoneleigh Stables of Branch- burg, NJ, owned by Chrisie and Chris Van Cleef. The award, part of the New Jersey Equine Envi- ronmental Stewardship Program, gives recognition to outstanding equine farms for their dedication to environmental sustainability and management. Stoneleigh Stables is located on 23 acres in the heart of New Jersey horse country. It currently features an outdoor riding arena, multiple grazing paddocks with run-in sheds, and well-managed cool-sea- son pastures. The property’s restored two-story barn includes spacious horse stalls and a heat- ed tack room and indoor wash stalls. As a lifelong horsewom- an who continues to compete in some of the country’s biggest hunter-jumper shows, Chri- sie Van Cleef’s emphasis has always been on maintaining top-quality care for her equine partners and creating a friendly yet professional atmosphere for training. The news East Coast horse owners need to know See page 26 for details. Not a print subscriber? Join the ongoing mailing list for just $20. FREE Classifieds for print subscribers! See page 26 or visit eastcoastequestrian.net