from the SPHO-NJ

East Windsor, NJ — On Feb. 12, the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey celebrated their 2016 high point riders and Standardbreds with a “Denim & Diamonds” themed awards banquet. The festivities were at the Holiday Inn’s Windsor Ballroom in East Windsor, N.J.

Not only were awards handed out, auctions and raffles were offered and the SPHO-NJ wants to thank everyone for the support. Trainer-driver Jeff Gregory and SPHO-NJ President Alison Giorgianni were at the podium announcing and handing out awards.

Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey has a mission to educate and make the general public aware of how versatile the Standardbred can be off the racetrack. All the donations help fund events, shows and other activities that are all geared towards showcasing Standardbreds.

Every year the SPHO-NJ holds a National Standardbred Horse Show. It is presented in the heart of New Jersey with purse money and a substantial amount of classes of all different disciplines. The 2017 show is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 11-13 and it will be the 23rd annual show. The horse show is held at the Horse Park of NJ.

The award winners and sponsors can be found at the website, www.sphonj.org. The club offers both an in-state and a Mid Atlantic Regional year-end awards as well as special awards that are based on National Horse Show criteria.

SPHO-NJ photo

Overall grand champions, Joanna Ricci and her mare, JR Grin, of Allentown, N.J.

The overall grand champion High Point Horse for the Mid Atlantic Region, as well as New Jersey state, was 12-year-old Jersey Bred mare, JR Grin (Grinfromeartoear–Jenna Raider) along with Joanna Ricci from Allentown, N.J. The pair compete at horse shows and hunter paces, and love trying new disciplines. Joanna is a student at Allentown High School and also earned both Mid Atlantic Region and New Jersey high point junior exhibitor.

The overall reserve champion High Point Horse for the Mid Atlantic Region and New Jersey state was Independent Act (Conway Hall–Solo Act), a 16-year-old gelding owned by Suzanne D’Ambrose of Neptune N.J. “Indy” is the perfect ambassador at public events as he will stand for hours letting kids pet, hug and kiss him. The pair compete in hunter paces and gymkhanas, as well as trail riding.

The Treacherous Cat Work Ethic Volunteer of the Year Award is awarded every year to a club volunteer that has gone beyond means to help out at functions and the horse shows. Treacherous Cat, or “TC,” is owned and handled by Kelly Marshall-Conn of Vermont. The award went to Marty Keynton this year, who has always been there for anything the club needs at events. His family, daughter Amanda and wife Terry, have been SPHO-NJ members for many years and they own three Standardbreds.