Horse Park of New Jersey

The 147 acre Horse Park of New Jersey in Stone Tavern, Monmouth County, is the result of a unique public, private partnership. The land was purchased by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection with Green Acres funds. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture continues to assist in the development of the Park into a world class equine exhibition facility. The State's equine industry and private, not-for-profit groups worked together to design the Park. It is operated under contract with the Department of Agriculture and the Horse Park of New Jersey, Stone Tavern, Inc., a not-for-profit educational organization. Since the Park opened in 1983, park trustees and hundreds of volunteers have donated over 200,000 hours to beautification and fund raising efforts. In 1994, the National Hunter Pony Finals were held at the Park. This was the first event of International interest scheduled here. As of the show season of 2003, the Horse Park has 276 stalls in permanent buildings; two 150' x 300' show rings, one with state of the art night lighting; a 140' x 280' permanently fenced, lighted schooling ring; 190' x 360' grand prix and carriage dressage arena; a 150’ x 300’ indoor arena; 90’ x 150’ dressage warm-up ring; 56 camper hookups with a dumping station, handicapped accessible bathroom and shower facilities; two handicapped mounting ramps; 70' x 150' clear span multi-purpose building for equine auctions and off season instructional clinics; professional sound system and air conditioned secretary=s office, judges’ lounge, press room, announcers booth and trophy room. Our grandstand, adjacent to the East Ring, has permanent seating and a large vendor space or additional seating areas. Approximately 40 acres of our 147 acres are involved with the development of these facilities. One hundred acres of the Horse Park are being kept in open fields and wooded areas so that they can be used for our event course and carriage fields. Working cooperatively, these areas are being developed by volunteer groups in a most useful and attractive manner. Since the Horse Park borders the 5000 acre Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, it will be possible to utilize some of that property for the occasional large event. One of the innovative programs at the Horse Park is our commemorative tree program, organized and run by one of our volunteers. More than 150 lovely trees and granite markers have been planted.