by Rob Pennington, for the SPHO-NJ

East Windsor, NJ — On Sunday (Feb. 19), the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey held its annual awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in East Windsor, N.J.

A total of 179 attendees came to support the event and the accomplishments the horses and their exhibitors received. A total of 128 championship ribbons and 82 trophies and awards were presented to 27 different horses and exhibitors.

The night started with a cocktail hour followed by a sit down dinner and dessert. During the dinner and awards presentation 38 different baskets and items were given away in their Chinese Auction, as well as five live auction items which included a Brodeur 4 Stars race bike, canvas print from Vicki Wright Photography, credit to Hogan Equine, Barrey Danvers VMD credit, a Finn Tack harness and a pair of framed photographs also from Vicki Wright Photography.

The list of award winners would be too long to mention so below are the top honors for the SPHO-NJ and National SPHO Awards.

SPHO-NJ High Point Horse
Champion–JB & Helene Gregory & Christie DeBernardis
Reserve Champion–Calamar & Rob Pennington, Caroline Green & Rachelle Walsh
3rd Place–Osborne’s Shy Cam & Amanda-Lee Keynton
4th Place–Independent Act & Suzanne D’Ambrose
5th Place–Star Lantern & Taylor Ferguson
6th Place–Princess Ghanima & Meryl Evangelisti

National SPHO High Point Horse
Champion–JB & Helene Gregory & Christie DeBernardis
Reserve Champion–Panzo Two & Wendy Flowers & Rachel Ferrante
3rd Place–Calamar & Rob Pennington, Caroline Green & Rachelle Walsh
4th Place–Valiant Legacy & Laura Harbour
5th Place–Revenue Stream & Elizabeth Tewksbury
6th Place–Veruca Salt & Laura Harbour

The SPHO-NJ would like to thank all our sponsors, volunteers, members, exhibitors and everyone that attended for making this event the best ever. Without all of you it would not have been possible.

Lastly, we would like to thank the horses: they are truly the most important member of the SPHO-NJ and its mission.