Slide Show: Middlesex County Horse Show

STONE TAVERN, N.J. — The Middlesex County Horse Show kicked off on June 21 at the Horse Park of New Jersey.

The 84^th edition of the show concludes on Sunday, June 24.

On Saturday, June 23 riders will participate in the Journey or Not Team Relay. Started in 2010, Journey or Not is an educational and fun project supporting learning activities for children and adults. It creates interaction and communication, enhancing literacy, and writing skills. Journey or Not incorporates the development of self-identity for any age, and encourages the virtue of embracing the individual mantra — I am.

Journey, the book character, takes steps to overcome illiteracy. He realizes everyone has obstacles to conquer, and Journey is willing to walk with children and adults through his literacy curriculum. He helps readers triumph over difficulties.

The Journey Or-Not Charity Team relay was created at The Middlesex County Horse Show in 2014 and has become an annual fundraiser. This year, the proceeds will go to the following not-for-profits:

www.SAILFoundationNY.org

SAIL Foundation, Strategic access to Independent Living, is a non-profit organization which seeks to assist veterans and individuals who are high functioning and living with disabilities such as Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD and Asperger’s Syndrome. It also fosters family involvement by hosting seminars on topics such as housing options for people with disabilities and preparing for the financial future of a loved one with special needs.

www.BergenCountyEquineRescue.org

The proceeds of the Silent Auction will also benefit The Bergen County Equine Rescue which is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected horses. BC Rescue was recently founded in 2016 with the sole purpose to help horses in need with the assistance of local animal control officers and veterinarians.

A $5,000 Grand Prix will honor Lt. Col. James Marsh who passed away in 2005 at the age of 86.

Acccording to www.arlingtoncemetery.net:

A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, Col. Marsh was highly decorated soldier and was the recipient of two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. He served in Europe, Asia, Alaska and California, among other places, before settling in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. He retired in 1962 after a military career that spanned more than two decades.

However, while the military was his career, horses were his passion. He was involved with horses from an early age in Connecticut and became a fixture at shows in Northeast United States. The Colonel was an integral part of the equine community, was instrumental in the expansion of the Horse Park of New Jersey and participated with the International Side-Saddle Organization in four presidential inaugural parades. After retiring from civilian employment with the College Board in New York City, he committed his life to the betterment of conditions for horses and their riders. He played a significant role over the years in shaping the equine activity laws of New Jersey including serving as president of the New Jersey Horse Council and the New Jersey Professional Horseman’s Association, as well as sitting on the Board of Director for Centenary College and the Horse Park of New Jersey.

He was associated with the Middlesex County Horse Show for 45 years and received many awards over the years for his equine activities, including the 1985 International Side-Saddle Organization Member of the Year, the 1986 New Jersey Horse Council “person who made the most outstanding contribution to the Equine Industry”, the New Jersey Professional Horseman’s Association Person of the Year, the 1989 Governor’s Award for Horseperson of the Year, the USA Equestrian Pegasus Award and the 1994 American Horse Council Marjorie Van Ness Award for Outstanding Service to the Horse Industry.

He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery

For more information about the Middlesex County Horse Show see middlesexcountyhorseshow.com/index.html