by Rob Pennington, Points Secretary, SPHO-NJ

Millstone Township, NJ — The Standardbred Pleasure Horse of New Jersey (SPHO-NJ) held their annual year-end awards banquet on Sunday (February 9) to honor those horses that have excelled at disciplines off the track.

Some champions include:

• World Class Guy (t, 4, 1:57.2, $67,132) – In-Hand
• Big Bikkies (t, 1:52.1, $201,014) – Two-Gait Pleasure
• Glissade (t, unraced) – Three-Gait Pleasure
• Jambalayabar Man (t, unraced) – Hunter
• Independent Act (t, 4, 1:55.4, $61,110) – Pace, Chase & Hunt

Vicki Wright photo

Sawyer Baker receives the Leadline Championship award from Jim Giorgianni.

SPHO-NJ and its officers also recognized those that do not live in New Jersey but excel at showing their horse in other states.

For more information about SPHO-NJ, visit www.standardbredpleasurehorse.org.

Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with off-the-track Standardbreds and their owners to educate the general public about the many disciplines at which Standardbreds excel once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, visit LifeAfterRacing.ustrotting.com, or send e-mail inquiries to sep@ustrotting.com.