As the Sussex County Horse Show prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary, it is locked in a dispute with the New Jersey State Fair, a situation that show supporters say puts the future of the equestrian competition in jeopardy.
Competition at the Sussex County Horse Show runs against a unique backdrop of the New Jersey State Fair's ferris wheel and carnival, but the two organizations are now at odds over their financial arrangementThe iconic multi-breed show is a summer highlight that runs concurrently with the fair, staged by the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show Association at the fairgrounds it owns in Augusta. The ferris wheel, funnel cakes and agricultural exhibits are as much a part of the show experience as the divisions offered in the main arena, and in turn, horse show exhibitors patronize the fair and spend their money there.
The horse show, which has attracted some of the country's best-known riders, from Bernie Traurig and Rodney Jenkins in the 1970s to McLain Ward and Hillary Dobbs today, was an independent entity until 1978. At that time, it became part of the FHSA, but was constituted as a committee that handled its own finances and had its own checkbook.
The FHSA's auditor, however, repeatedly recommended that all the financial accounts for the fair's various committees and subdivisions be consolidated in one general ledger, rather than allowing each to maintain its own. While the committees could still make decisions about day-to-day spending, checks would be issued centrally by the Association.
Under these circumstances, the show would be "powerless to do anything about changes we objected to," contended Susann Gerber of Frankford, a former show president, noting the show cannot override the fair's executive board.
The show is recognized by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, has an "A" hunter rating and a $50,000 grand prix. There is apprehension by some on the horse show side that the fair eventually might want to cut prize money _ which show people worry could lead exhibitors to go elsewhere _ and perhaps even drop affiliation with USEF.
Robin Fairclough of Newton, whose late father, Robert Rost, was the show's longtime manager, said that being under USEF rules means "prize money has to be paid by a certain date, you have to make your applications by a certain date; all those finances need to be available to us at a moment's notice." Added Fairclough, the show's vice president of operations, "We're concerned that our hands are going to be tied."
Fearing a loss of financial autonomy could affect the quality and character of the show, as well as being concerned that its money might be used for non-horse show purposes, the horse show refused to turn over its records and checkbook. After voting to separate from the fair association, it went through arbitration and mediation, to no avail.
The Northwest Jersey Horse Show was created in November to "protect its finances and identity." However, the group is not yet doing business, because the show is still operating under the old structure.
Said Gerber, "We no longer are discussing consolidation; we are no longer discussing the checkbook. We are discussing the fact that the horse show committee wants to be its own corporation...and what we should be negotiating is the terms under which we will work together."
Gerber, who serves as president of the new organization, said the fair association has threatened to seize the show's bank accounts, totaling $140,000, if "legal recourse" is sought. Both the fair and the show have threatened legal action.
The association will seek to "recover all losses, expenses and costs, including attorney fees, from any legally responsible individuals who are found at fault for misusing their membership in the organization in order to carry on activities detrimental to the interests of the association."
At the same time, the association stated it "wants to assure the public that the association is dealing with this situation in a manner designed to keep events running as usual at the fairgrounds."
Gerber sent out a letter asking friends of the show to contribute to cover legal expenses and the cost of the show if its money is seized. The new group is seeking to raise $250,000 toward those ends.
"We have tried to avoid going to litigation, but the executive board has said, `Take it or leave it,' " commented Robert Muir III, the horse show group's attorney.
"If it has to go to litigation, my feeling is it could destroy the horse show as it has existed and it could destroy the fair too; there's a lot of horse people in Sussex County. The desire of the horse show members is that the Farm and Horse Show stay together and work together. We have been threatened that is not going to happen unless we agree to their terms."
However, there were indications last week that talks between the adversaries may resume.
Larry Supp, an attorney who is handling the matter for the fair association, contended the horse show committee "has been assured they will be able to make their own spending decisions," though the horse show group obviously is not confident that would happen. He did note that under the new system, someone from the fair would have to sign the checks.
"I would like to settle the case,'" Supp said, adding, "I would like to find a way to do it without going to court."
"Hope still exists that we might be able to get together," said Gerber.
In the meantime, she vowed, the show will go on as planned Aug. 8-14. The Sussex County Benefit series of 13 one-day shows, a big fundraising effort that is crucial in keeping the August show solvent, will continue as well. The first of those shows, also staged at the fairgrounds, was held yesterday.
ON THE RAIL -- Today's Readington Trail Association pace has been postponed because of weather conditions. It is rescheduled for May 15 at the towerfield on Cole Road. Go to readingtontrail.org for updates.
Olympic individual gold medalist David O'Connor is all but affirmed as the new chef d'equipe/technical advisor for the U.S. eventing team, a slot that will open when Mark Phillips retires after the 2012 Olympics _ and O'Connor's term as president of the USEF ends.
After a long selection process, in which O'Connor was a finalist with another Olympic individual gold medalist, U.S.-based British rider Leslie Law, the USEF Eventing Eligible Athlete and Eventing High Performance Committees unanimously recommended O'Connor. They also interviewed Australian Andrew Hoy, who originally had not made the final cut, before making their decision.
The High Performance Working Group and the Executive Committee will meet to review the recommendation before the nomination is finalized.
O'Connor coached the Canadian silver medal eventing team at last fall's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where the U.S. squad finished fourth.
A second Colts Neck horse farm was quarantined Friday as part of the state Department of Agriculture's investigation into an outbreak of the neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus, Type One (EHV-1) that has led to the death of one horse and sickened five others.
The disease was discovered by a private veterinarian treating a sick horse at Overbrook Farm. The filly was euthanized by the veterinarian Wednesday after she failed to respond to treatment. The other affected horses at the farm are recovering.
While the department was tracing activities at the farm to determine the extent of the outbreak, it led to the subsequent quarantine of Tourelay Farm, where no sick horses were reported.
The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly from horse to horse, has a high mortality rate and can cause symptoms from respiratory problems to spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares. The neurologic form of EHV-1, additionally, can cause an acute paralytic syndrome, which results in a high mortality. The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically two to ten days. The virus spreads readily through direct contact with infected materials.
The virus does not affect humans and other domestic animals, with the exception of llamas and alpacas.
Concerned owners should consult their veterinarian prior to taking any action as the clinical signs of infection with the neurological form of EHV-1 are common to many other diseases. For more information, go to nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/pdf./equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf.
A line-up of big name show jumping and hunter trainers highlights the Masters Clinic series at Bow Brickhill Stables in Milford.
Mark Leone of Ri-Arm Farm in Oakland, who will be directing the stable's hunter/jumper lesson program, will handle the second clinic session May 14. His brother, Olympic team silver medalist Peter Leone, will kick off the series Saturday. Jimmy Torano will appear at a date to be announced in August and Frank Madden in November.
More information is available by calling (732)616-1856 or going to bbhstables.com.
In last week's column, James Fairclough should have been mentioned as the rider of Star Quest, the Chapot family's Winter Equestrian Festival 6-year-old jumper circuit champion.
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Today: Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association Western and Draft Show, DVHA Showgrounds, Toad Lane, Sergeantsville; Hidden Hollow Farm Combined Training Schooling Show, 1100 Old Chester Rd., Gladstone; Clover Valley Farm Dressage Show and Combined Test, 91 Hillcrest Rd., Whitehouse Station; Cream Ridge Pony Club Dressage Show and Combined Test, 80 Petty Rd., Cranbury; Baymar Farms Show, 38 Harbor Rd., Morganville; Triple Challenge Trail Event Breast Cancer Benefit, Sleepy Hollow Stables, 47 Woodruff Rd., New Egypt.
Thursday: Hunter Farms Spring Classic, 1350 The Great Rd., Princeton (through Saturday).
Friday: Palermo Show Stable Show, 1555A Burnt Mills Rd., Bedminster.
Saturday: Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association Hunter Show, DVHA Showgrounds, Toad Lane, Sergeantsville;Palermo Festival Hunter Finals, 1555A Burnt Mills Rd., Bedminster; Diamond Creek Dressage Schooling Show, 39 Gulick Rd., Ringoes; West Milford Equestrian Center Show, 367 Union Valley Rd., Newfoundland; Garden State Paint Horse Club Show, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130
South, Logan Township (through next Sunday); Woodedge at the Park Show; Horse Park of N.J., Route 524, Allentown (through next Sunday).
Nancy Jaffer may be reached at nancyjaffer@att.net.