NEWS BITS AND PIECES
04/2008 - The 2008 U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup has announced the members of its team. Twenty three-gaited and ten five-gaited finalists competed at William Woods University in Fulton, MO in February for positions on the teams. Five riders and an alternate were selected for each of the teams. We are pleased to announce that Jessica Moctezuma, Blairstown, NJ, was selected as a member of the five-gaited team. These outstanding riders will represent the U.S. at the 2008 International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Event from September 21-28, 2008 in Tullbagh, South Africa. The finalists represented the best equitation athletes from the ranks of the Saddlebred, Arabian, National Show Horse and Morgan breeds. The U.S. teams will face competition from Canada, Great Britain, Namibia and South Africa.
04/06/08 - Our first Academy Show was a success! Alexandria Township Park, near Milfor, NJ, was the setting for our first Academy Show which attracted 36 riders. It was a nippy, windy day but, no matter as all the activity was indoors and a cozy fire in the fireplace kept the chill out of the air in the spectator lounge. The show went smoothly and was lots of fun for the exhibitors and all the families and friends that turned out to watch. Another show is tentatively planned to take place in the Fall on 11/9.
04/2008 - NJDA Animal Waste Management Rules. All agricultural animal operations will have to follow the General Requirements of the rules. The Rule Proposal is now on the NJ Register for comment. Please take time to review the rules and make anyh comments that you feel are appropriate. You can make a difference!
Go to: http://nj.gov/agriculture/rule/animalwasterule.pdf
04/01/08 - Farmers and their supporters from across the state rallied against the proposal to disolve the Department of Agriculture and move its program to other departments. More than 1000 farmers and 100 tractors descended upon West State Street to urge the Governor and Legislature to keep the NJDA.
03/04/08 - Under proposed cost cutting measures, Governor Corzine announced his plan to eliminate the state Department of Agriculture. The plan calls for an 18% cut in spending and a transfer of remaining department functions to other agencies like to DEO and Department of Health. The Department of Agriculture provides such services as animal health inspections, investigation of abuse and neglect cases, soil conservation, plant disease control, laboratory testing, farmland preservation, emergency food distribution, commodity promotion, promotion of the equine industry and agricultural advocacy. The change is opposed by many who feel the voice of agricultural interests will be diminished if the department is merged into others. If you have an opinion on the changes, contact the governor's office or your state legislator. The New Jersey Farm Bureau has ongoing updates on their website at www.njfb.org.
2/17/08 - Announcing, ASHA launches Regional High Point Awards Program. The Championship Awards will be based on the number of points accumulated in classes at designated Charter Club sponsored shows. Region 11 shows that qualify are Syracuse International, (NY), Jersey Classic, (NJ), Keystone Classic, (PA), ASHAV, (VA) and a show yet to be determined in West Virginia. The horse's owner (as recorded by ASHA) must be a member of one of the Region 11 Charter Clubs at the time points are accumulated. No minimum number of shows are required. More details on the point system and classes that will count will be published in our 2008 Directory.
Our friend and member Linda Gemeinhardt (1956-2008) lost her long battle with cancer the morning of January 7th. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her mother, Marie. The Saddlebred community lost a truly dedicated person and our organization lost one of its most active members whose whole life revolved around the horses she so intensley cared about. In lieu of flowers, her mother requests that donations in her memory be made to Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, 2100 Wescott Dr., Flemington, NJ 08822 or to the American Saddlebred Horse Association of New Jersey, c/o Gwen Stableford, 15 Norwood Avenue, Apt. 4, Summit, NJ 07901.
Meet One Amazing Lady! Gwen Stableford is one of the founding members of ASHA of NJ which was incorporated in 1968. She is active on the NJ Horse Council and the Equine Advisory Board and has served as Treasurer of our Association since 1980! She has been an American Saddlebred horse enthusiast since 1944 and is still actively showing in the Hackney Pony Division. This past year she retired her dearly loved pony, Ali, after driving him for the past 10 years to numerous Championships in the Pleasure Driving section. Ali achieved World Championship status as a 3 year old and has eaned the United States Equestrian Pony of the Year Award in 2003,04,05 and 06. This does not mean that Gwen, who celebrated her 90th birthday last year, is retiring. On the contrary, she will be showing her new 4 year old Hackney pony, Heartlands Elegant Touch in 2008. She is truly an inspiration to us all! (See photo on the Mane page.) To add to her honors, Gwen was named "Horseperson of the Year" and awarded the Governor's Trophy at the 51st Annual NJ Breeder's AwardsBanquet on January 27th which is sponsored by the Equine Advisory Board, a unit of the Department of Agriculture. She was totally surprised and overwhelmed upon learning she was chosen for this prestigious award. Congratulations, Gwen!
2007 HUNTERDON HORSE EXPO - Despite the threat of bad weather, attendance for the week end event on May 19 and 20 was estimated at 2500 visitors. More than 40 hours of programs and demonstrations with lots of shopping opportunities treated the Xpo goers from New Jersey and the surrounding states. ASHA of NJ had a booth where we distributed literature and brochures to promote the breed and educate the public. Visitors to our booth had the opportunity to take part in drawings which included free lessons donated by Royal Crest Farm, Smoke Hollow Farm, North Wind Stables and Black Horse Farm. In addition, we were pleased to accept donations for Saddlebred Rescue, Inc. Exhibitions were presented on Saturday and Sunday by Royal Crest, Smoke Hollow and Black Horse Farms. The versatility of the Saddlebred was the central theme.
Marty Waldman and his colorful Saddlebred, Winter's Picasso, demonstrating Western pleasure riding.
Marty's granddaughter,Brittany Waldman, demonstrating Saddleseat Country Pleasure riding on Royal Crest Farms Blessed Prince.