June 2020 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN June 2020 Page 29 Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian. The 152nd Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes will be the first leg of the Triple Crown for the first time in history this year when it is held June 20 at Belmont Park. Traditionally the final leg of the Triple Crown, held the first Saturday in June, the race will be held without spectators and at a shorter distance of nine furlongs. “The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution that will provide world-class entertain- ment for sports fans during these challenging times,” said NYRA president & CEO Dave O'Ro- urke. “While this will certainly be a unique running of this historic race, we are grateful to be able to hold the Belmont Stakes in 2020. Thanks to our partners at NBC Sports, fans across the country can look forward to a day of Belmont Will Be First Leg of Triple Crown exceptional Thoroughbred racing at a time when entertainment and sports are so important to provid- ing a sense of normalcy.” As the exclusive broadcast partner of the Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown, NBC Sports will present three hours of live coverage from Belmont Park in Elmont, NY on Saturday, June 20 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern. Traditionally contested at 1 1/2-miles, the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes will be run at a distance of 1 1/8-miles to properly account for the schedule adjustments to the Triple Crown series and overall calendar for 3-year-olds in training. The revised date and dis- tance for the Belmont Stakes fol- lows the previously announced rescheduling of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, Sept. 5 as well as the rescheduling of the Preakness Stakes from May 16 to Oct. 3. Initially contested at a distance of 1 5/8-miles at Jerome Park, the first Belmont Stakes was won by Hall of Fame filly Ruthless in 1867. For a two-year period in 1893-94, the Belmont Stakes was run at nine furlongs at Morris Park Racecourse with Comanche winning in 1893 and Hall of Famer Henry of Navarre victorious a year later. The 1 1/2-miles distance was estab- lished in 1926. All Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (BSRF) tickets are sub- ject to full refunds. NYRA Bets is the official online wagering site for the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes, and the best way to bet the 2020 Belmont Park spring/summer meet. Due to concern for the safety of all attendees of Monmouth at the Team and with continuing guidance issued by local and state authorities regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), the 125th Annual Monmouth at the Team has been canceled. The anticipated dates for 2021 are August 16-23 for the show, held at the former US Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. “It is with a heavy heart and in the best interest for all exhibitors, sponsors, vendors and spectators that we cancel our 125th annual show,” said Tucker Ericson, co-owner of Monmouth at the Team. “We hope all our friends stay safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.” Monmouth at the Team Will Be Virtual Despite anticipation that horse shows will be underway in August, the intimate nature and popularity of the Monmouth at the Team creates concern for the viability of providing social distancing protocols and a safe environment. Show manage- ment stresses that the health and well-being of all involved is the top priority. In conjunction with The Nature Conservancy, Monmouth at the Team is planning a vir- tual competition to be held this summer complete with class prizes. As the online competi- tion model is developed, more information will be available on MonmouthAtTheTeam.com. The suspension of US Eques- trian competition due to corona- virus has put many people out of work, such as jump and in-gate crews, braiders, stewards, judges, offices staff and others. Organiza- tions such as the Equestrian Aid Foundation with their COVID Relief Fund and the Show Jump- ing Relief Fund are ways to help the many people in the equestrian industry affected by the suspen- sions of horse show competitions due to COVID-19. If you can, please donate to help our industry professionals. Donations during the pandemic will go directly to those in need. If you are in need of financial help, please reach out to Equestrian Aid Foundation at equestrianaidfoundation.org or Show Jumping Relief Fund at showjumpingrelieff.wixsite.com to apply for assistance. Thirty-five Centenary University students, the largest number in the Hackettstown, NJ university’s history, received academic awards and/or schol- arships from the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation’s (IEF). The awards were based on their ability to excel in the classroom and in the show ring as equestrians. Academic awards were presented to those who earned a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) or above throughout the aca- demic year, and scholarships were awarded to those who met eligibility requirements, excelled in horsemanship and in the class- room and demonstrated financial need. Senior Athletic Academic Achievement Awards were pre- sented to IHSA members with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher who have been members of the intercollegiate equestrian team for three years, including their senior year. Centenary Universi- ty winners include: Meghan Fred- erick, ‘20 (Dalton, MA); Megan Marino,’20 (Delhi, NY); Caroline Houston, ‘20 (Glastonbury, CT); Emily Valerio,’20 (Lexington, NY). Centenary Students Receive Record Number of IHSAAwards The First Team All-Aca- demic Awards were presented to IHSA members who excelled academically throughout the year with a cumulative 3.8 GPA or higher. Centenary University winners include: Kylie Dai- ley,’23 (Torrington, CT); Olivia Erikson,’22 (Bernardsville, NJ); Meghan Frederick, ‘20 (Dalton, MA); Tazmyn Geere, ‘22 (Henderson, NV); Caroline Houston,’20 (Glastonbury, CT); Ashley Joyce, ’23 (Concord Township, OH); Payton Law- rence,’22 (Guildford, VT); Nina Leeds,’20 (Dallas, PA); Jamie Mirra,’23 (Springfield, VT); Madison Myro,’22 (Las Vegas, NV); Isabella Nye,’20 (Doug- lassville, PA); Sophia Strain,’22 (Agawam, MA); Taylor Ther- rien,’22 (Haddam, CT); Sydney Waltenberg-O’Brien,’22 (Mid- dletown, NY); Lena Wanio, ’21 (Clifton, NJ). The Second Team All-Ac- ademic Awards were presented to IHSA members who excelled academically throughout the year with a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher. Centenary University winners include: Hana Akste- rowicz, ’21 (East Lyme, CT); (Continued on page 31)