by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — To celebrate New Jersey’s “Month of the Horse,” Fair Winds Farm in Cream Ridge will open its doors to visitors on Sunday (June 26) from 1-4 p.m.

The third annual free open house will be held at the farm, 74 Red Valley Rd. in Cream Ridge, and will allow visitors to see the inner workings of this highly successful Standardbred breeding farm, where 2011 Hambletonian winner Broad Bahn and 2016 Pepsi North American Cup winner Betting Line were bred and raised.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Kids can pet a horse at the Fair Winds Farm Open House on June 26.

Visitors will be able to tour Hogan Equine Clinic, where top flight Standardbred and Thoroughbred athletes are treated by surgeon Dr. Patty Hogan, and get a tour of the farm via horse drawn wagon.

There will be demonstrations on the life of the Standardbred, featuring a young foal and his mother, along with $500,000 winning pacer Mighty Young Joe and his trainer Stacy Chiodo. Other Standardbreds will show their talents off the track in under saddle disciplines, jumping, trail riding and more.

For those that just want a horse to pet and take a selfie with, retired racehorses and goodwill ambassadors Independent Act (Indy) and his pal Osbourne’s Shy Cam (Ozzy) will be on hand to say hello. Farrier Tom Mulryne will demonstrate how to care for a horse’s feet and have free lucky horseshoes for visitors to take home.

Horse centric exhibitors will also be on hand, including Rutgers University’s Equine Science Center, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Future Farmers of America, 4H Clubs Knight Riders, Hearts and Horseshoes, Chapel Hill Hoofbeats and The Curry Combs. Visitors can learn about adopting or providing foster care for a horse at the Standardbred Retirement Foundation booth or buy a souvenir to support their horses.

The event will be held rain or shine; long term weather reports call for sun and temperatures in the 80s. Refreshments will be available for purchase. There is ample parking available, but few paved surfaces, so visitors should wear sensible shoes and strollers may have a rough ride. Please leave dogs at home. For more information, call 732.780.3700 or e-mail ellen.harvey@ustrotting.com.