The Masters' Chase at Natirar in Peapack offered equestrian fun and fellowship in a no-pressure environment.
Grier Filley on her way to winning the Foxhunter Flat Race aboard Jeb's Crowner during the Essex Fox Hounds Masters' Chase at Natirar in Peapack. Grier Filley certainly looked like she was going for it as she headed to the finish line of the Foxhunter Flat Race on Jeb's Crowner at the Essex Fox Hounds Masters' Chase yesterday in Peapack, but that wasn't her main goal.
"We decided to have some fun today," said the professional horsewoman as she caught her breath after finishing several lengths ahead of seventh-grader Sarah Baytoff on Tranquilo and film maker Jamie Johnson aboard Sully.
"I just hung on tight and didn't fall off. That was my goal," Filley said with a big smile about her ride on the 15-year-old retired timber racer.
Smiles were all around at the very informal "family friendly" races, being held for the second year at Natirar, a Somerset County park.
The mixed bag of the flat race -- kids, professionals and an amateur -- was simply part of the relaxed atmosphere at the park, where competitions included leadline and stick horse races.
Appropriate music, such as the racing theme from the movie, "The Quiet Man," was played to accompany the contests, for which some wore racing silks and others simply dressed in hunting attire.
Lou Piancone and his four-in-hand made a cameo appearance at the Masters' Chase. The morning rain prompted some horses to be scratched and kept away casual onlookers, but the $400-per-space tailgating spots were pretty much filled with people enjoying buffets from tables decorated in an autumn theme and getting into the spirit of things.
"I think we accomplished what we set out to do," said Karen Murphy of Bedminster, an Essex joint master who was very involved in organizing the races.
"We just wanted a nice fun family day of racing. It's small, it's intimate and it gives some people an understanding that it doesn't all have to be about how seeing how fast you can go. The kids can do it, the adults can do it, I think it's a great day. I'm happy with the turnout, considering the rain we had. It's something to build on."
Karen Murphy leads the field in the Masters' Chase, in which riders stay behind the leader until they're turned loose with a "tally ho" and are free to race for the finish line. Roland Brown, a Morristown dentist who was hosting guests at his table along the sidelines, liked the fact that the Chase was "a nice, safe club race," while he enjoyed the "exceptional" countryside at Natirar, a former estate fringed by a scenic backdrop of changing leaves.
"Be very safe," Essex Joint Master Jazz Johnson Merton advised riders in one race, and that was the watchword. The competition wasn't as important as the camaraderie on horseback, and on the sidelines.
"People are happy for the opportunity to do something very different. It's a great family event for us and a chance to raise people's awareness about Essex (Fox Hounds) and countryside sport and how closely hunting and riding are involved with open space and preservation," observed Merton.
"Essex is an integral part of the community and we want to continue to extend that as long as we can," the Tewksbury resident commented.
Baytoff was a big winner with Oreo, a fleet black-and-white pinto she also uses as a jumper. The 12-year-old from Tewksbury said of the Masters' Chase, "I love it. There are not many opportunities to race in New Jersey."
Sarah Baytoff going for the win aboard Oreo. Her second-place finish to Filley on her horse, meanwhile, demonstrated she has a future when she ends her pony career.
Jamie Johnson, Merton's brother, said he had ridden only four times in 15 years, but looked good in the saddle for the relay and flat races despite his lack of practice.
"If you're on a safe horse, you're probably not going to get hurt," noted the resident of the East Village in Manhattan who said he liked being able to spend time with his family and being involved with a traditional part of the community.
Accidents do happen, though, and Cadence Clucas, a plucky 11-year-old from Tewksbury, found herself flat on her back atop the wet grass when her saddle rotated at the beginning of a race as the field ran off without her.
Cadence Clucas didn't let a fall get her down and finished her race on My Friend Fluffy. Undaunted, she got back on her Shetland,My Friend Fluffy, when her saddle was fixed and galloped around the course alone, finishing long after the other riders.
But the important part was, she finished, and will ride again later this month in the Shetland races at the Washington International Horse Show, where she was a winner last year.
Don't confuse the Masters' Chase with next weekend's Far Hills Races, a sanctioned steeplechase meeting that annually draws as many as 30,000 people to Moorland Farm in Far Hills, a short canter from Natirar.
Far Hills used to offer pony races in addition to its regular card, but it no longer does so. However, those who rode there as kids never forgot the experience.
"Whenever we can find amateur races, we're looking to relive those days," said Brooke Juntilla, who at 33 hasn't given up galloping.
Brooke Juntilla on Highlander (right) overtook Wallis Weiner-Trapness on Brons Flicka to win the Senior Field Masteres' Chase. The native of Tewksbury came to New Jersey from her New York City home every weekend to train for the Senior Field Masters' Chase, and it paid off with a victory yesterday on Highlander, a Canadian sport horse that her mother, Jacque, uses for hunting with Essex.
"That was the most fun I've had all year, hands down," bubbled Juntilla, after posing for photos with her blue ribbon and small silver trophy.
The advertising sales executive confided that she ordered her blue and white racing silks with pink sleeves online. Blue and white were her pony racing colors revived; the pink sleeves she said, thinking fast, were for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Far Hills races, which continue without the ponies, are a benefit for the Somerset Health Care Foundation, which handles funding on behalf of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (previously known as Somerset Medical Center). They have raised more than $18 million for their cause.
The Far Hills card this Saturday features the $250,000 Grand National. For information, go to farhillsrace.org.
Racing at Moorland Farms started with the Essex Fox Hounds, though the two are no longer connected. Known informally as the hunt races, they were staged to thank farmers for permitting the hunt to cross their land.
After a "Family Day in the Country" initiative in the early 1970s, the Far Hills races grew exponentially and are known for elaborate tailgate parties. Efforts have been made in recent years to curb the heavy drinking by young people that put a damper on the day, as out-of-towners have streamed into the area to party.
The Masters' Chase is a low-key contrast to Far Hills. Its organizers are trying to bring back the casual atmosphere that was a keynote of the Moorland Farm races decades ago.
"I think this is wonderful," said Barbara Lang, a former Far Hills resident who now lives in Burlington and used to be a regular at the Moorland Farm races.
"This harkens back to the old days, when we knew everybody."
ON THE RAIL -- Grand prix jumping could return to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation's Gladstone headquarters in the future, although the idea of holding a World Cup qualifier there in 2015 was scuttled because of a conflict with the autumn date of the glitzy Los Angeles Masters.
It has been more than a decade since a major jumper class was staged at the historic facility, but before that happens again, the footing needs to be fixed.
Rain during last weekend's Platinum Performance/U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East drenched the arena behind the stables and made the surface a matter of concern.
The sodden ring that didn't drain well became a hot topic of conversation as horses splashed around, while prompting the judges to scale down the gymnastics tests they devised for competitors in the interests of safety.
But Bonnie Jenkins, the foundation's executive director, said plans are in the works to remedy the situation in time for the 2015 season.
"We're looking forward to taking the footing to the next level and making the necessary upgrades, so events of any level are appropriate to be held here, including world class events," she commented.
"The footing has been something that we recognize needs to be improved," she observed.
"It's at that time in its life where we want to make the improvements. Unfortunately, the weather (for the Talent Search) really didn't cooperate, which compounded the problem."
The Foundation also has arenas in the Pine Meadow section of the Hamilton Farm property, which hosted the 1993 World Pairs Driving Championship...
Cigar, who set a $9.999 million earnings record for a thoroughbred racehorse, died last week in Lexington, Ky., from complications after surgery for osteoarthritis in his neck.
The 24-year-old two-time Horse of the Year retired to the Kentucky Horse Park, where he will be buried alongside other great horses from a variety of breeds, including thoroughbreds Alysheba and Bold Forbes, as well as American saddle horse Imperator.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
"The great champion Cigar thrilled racing fans and surely brought new ones to the sport as he compiled win after win in his incredible streak of victories," said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear.
"An example of racing at its best, he continued to serve as an ambassador, bringing joy to countless visitors to the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he will be missed."
When the National Horse Show returned to Madison Square Garden from the Meadowlands in 1996, Cigar was retired there in a ceremony that drew a huge crowd to the arena. He proved infertile as a stallion and was sent to the Kentucky Horse Park, where he was a favorite attraction.
Arthritis caused pressure on Cigar's spine, lealding to instablity in his hind legs and the need for surgery. He was being cared for by veterinarians from the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. During recovery from the operation, he suffered a vertebral fracture that led to his death...
The Fourth Annual Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure next Sunday is at a new venue, the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, where participants will have a choice of two separate trail rides as they "celebrate breast cancer survivorship, honor those we’ve lost and support a future without breast cancer."
The event is a fund raiser to support Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey, with 75 percent of proceeds goint toward local breast cancer education programs and providing mammography to underserved women in 13 counties, while 25 percent supports breast cancer research.
For information, go to horseparkofnewjersey.com and click on the Komen link or email ride@komencsnj.org...
The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster and the Somerset Bridle Path Association are collaborating on a joint trail ride from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. next Sunday. Trailers can park on River Road by Route 78. Riders, who are asked to wear neat attire, should meet at the corner of Cowperthwaite Road and River Road West.
There will be light refreshments at the Trump Barn. RSVP to Josephine at ReceptionBedminster@trumpnational.com...
The New Jersey Equine Artists’ Association’s biennial national juried show and sale, “NJEAA Art of the Horse,” will be held for the first time at Farmstead Arts, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, from Saturday through Nov. 29.
The opening reception, which features music and refreshments, is next Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
The show will feature a number of unique sculptures and two-dimensional pieces showing horses interacting with each other and humans in various activities.
To learn about Farmstead Arts, go to farmsteadartscenter.org or Farmstead Arts Center on Facebook...
The Dutch, who took gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last month, now have a matched pair of medals after winning the Furusiyya FEI Nations' Cup Finals in Barcelona yesterday.
The U.S. did not make the cut for the last round, and won the consolation competition, as it did last year. The American squad included three members of the WEG bronze medal team -- McLain Ward, Kent Farrington and Beezie Madden -- as well as Lauren Hough...
The $15,000 Randolph College/USEF Prix de States Team Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show went to a team from the South, the USEF's Zone 4.
Zone 2 (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) was second for chef d'equpe Eamonn Hughes, whose son, Michael, rode on the squad with Lucy Deslauriers, Lauren Fischer and Victoria Press.
The individual gold medal in Harrisburg was awarded to Chloe Reid, with Deslauriers second and Colvin third...
Centenary College is hosting the first National Professional Horsemen’s Association Invitational at its equestrian center, 12-56 Califon Road, Long Valley, Oct. 24-26.
There are various children's and adult divisions being offered, with the featured PHA Medal Final drawing the top 45 from national point standings.
The show, presented by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 24 and 8 a.m. the other days. The proceeds of the event go toward the purposes of the PHA, which include funding scholarships, helping needy horsemen and hosting events that generate interest in the industry.
For more information, call (908) 852-1400, extension 7221.
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Today: Asbury Classic Week I, The Ridge at Riverview, 3 Wolverton Road, Asbury; ESDCTA Classic Dressage Show, Horse Park of N.J., Route 524, Allentown; Central Jersey Horsemen's Association Show, East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold; Palermo Championship Series, 1555A Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster; Woodedge Show, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130 South, Logan Township; Mylestone Equine Rescue Open House, 227 Still Valley Road, Pohatcong (noon-4 p.m.); Delaware Valley Horseman's Association Hunter Show, DVHA Showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; Alexandria Township Barn Tour, Alexandria Park, 242 Little York-Mt. Pleasant Road, Milford; Smoke Rise Farms Show, 1Talbot Dr., Kinnelon.
Tomorrow: Careers in the Horse Industry Panel Discussion, presented by Centenary College's Equine Studies Department, Sitnik Theater, Lackland Center, Centenary College, Hackettstown (open to the public, 7 p.m. start).
Thursday: Asbury Classic Week II, The Ridge at Riverview, 3 Wolverton Road, Asbury (through next Sunday).
Friday: Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association Fall Spooktacular Show, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130 South, Logan Township (through next Sunday)
Saturday: Far Hills Race Meeting, Moorland Farm, Route 202, Bedminster (races start at 1 p.m.); HRH Open Show and N.J. Special Olympics, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Allentown; Briarwood Farm Show, Black River Farm, 20 Boss Road, Ringoes; Blue Spruce Farm Dressage Show, 5 Stanley Pl., Jackson.
Oct. 19: Fourth Annual Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Allentown; Essex Fox Hounds Hunter Pace, Cedar Lane Farm, Homestead Road, Oldwick (9 a.m.-2 p.m.); Delaware Valley Horseman's Association Fun 'n' Games Day, DVHA Showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; Autumn Riders Show, East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold; Oxbow Stables Combined Test, Dressage Show and Horse Trials, 39 Orts Road, Hamburg.
Nancy Jaffer: nancyjaffer@comcast.net.