The Horse Park of New Jersey (HPNJ) at Stone Tavern has been a go-to venue for equestrian competition for more than 35 years. It’s the place where the iconic Jersey Fresh three-day event originated in 2003. HPNJ saw Jersey Fresh as an opportunity to fill the gap in the equestrian competition calendar that opened after the Essex Horse Trials in Gladstone held its final meet in 1998.
From the start, Jersey Fresh was a success among competitors and spectators. Through the years its prestige rose, and its Federation Internationale Equestre rating rose to CCI4*-L, meaning that the competition is advanced level, for horses that have some international competition experience. Riders at this level must be 18 or older and horses must be at least seven. The cross-country segment of the competition has a maximum of 40 jumps and the stadium jumping segment has a maximum of 15 jumps.
In 2021, its most successful year ever, Jersey Fresh was the final selection trial for the U.S. Olympic team that went on to Tokyo. (The Summer Olympics, originally scheduled for 2020, were postponed until 2021 due to COVID.)
After the 2021 competition, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced that the event would not be held in 2022; the Jersey Fresh spot on the competition calendar was put up for bid, and ultimately awarded to Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC.
Competing for Competitions
The fate of Jersey Fresh, although unexpected by the all-volunteer board of HPNJ, reveals both the pitfalls and the opportunities emerging as equestrian sports—especially eventing—evolve. Well-funded venues such as those in Mill Spring, NC, Fair Hill, MD, Wellington and Ocala, FL and Lexington, KY offer state-of-the-art amenities for both horses and riders.
From the footing in the arenas to the stables, trails and even the jumps, maintaining a world-class facility is a profoundly expensive proposition. That reality is what venues like HPNJ wrestle with. As a non-profit that receives no funding from the state, HPNJ relies on donors, sponsors and revenue from shows and events. They lease the 185-acre property from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
In the months after the final Jersey Fresh International Three-Day, the HPNJ board began an extensive inventory of the capital improvements that could help the venue compete more successfully for high-profile events. The Board President, Adam Furlong in 2021 noted that the board had identified “several million dollars of spending that we need to resolve toward the future well-being and success of the park.” The items in that analysis include $2 million for new footing in all the rings, $1 million for new stabling and additional money for a new septic system, new water trucks for ring maintenance, and miscellaneous building repairs, restroom improvements, etc.
But since HPNJ doesn’t own the land, they can’t use the land as collateral for loans to make these improvements. So, they are relying on sponsors, and networking in the community. And board members. During the pandemic, board members rolled up their sleeves and helped with mowing and other ongoing tasks that needed attention.
A Legislative Solution?
In May 2022 Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-12th District) sponsored legislation that would provide $2.5 million in the 2022-2023 budget for new footing and other improvements at HPNJ. Dancer, son of legendary harness racing driver and trainer Stanley Dancer, had worked for 22 years as a horse trainer in Stanley Dancer Horse Racing Stables. Clearly, he had New Jersey’s equine industry in his heart when he proposed the allocation. Regrettably the bill never emerged from the Agriculture and Food Safety Committee. And, in July 2022 Assemblyman Dancer died at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
The HPNJ Board remains optimistic about the future, and the venue’s calendar is a busy mix of driving, schooling shows, cross-country and Dressage events. They have a cadre of loyal sponsors as well, and they have established a steering committee to identify capital needs as well as opportunities.