Horse show claims heritage

Augusta — The Garden State Horse Show, which runs from May 9 to 13, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, lays claim to an interesting heritage. The show, now New Jersey’s largest horse show, grew from the Junior Essex Troop Horse Show that began in West Orange in 1951. Junior Essex Troop was a mounted cadet auxiliary founded by officers of the 102nd armored cavalry after World War II. The junior cavalry organization was organized to promote the cavalry style of riding and military discipline for boys between the ages of 11 and 18. The Junior Essex Troop show was unique in that it was originally an all junior show. Its extensive offering of classes for hunters, jumpers, saddleseat horses, and even special classes just for the Troopers, gained the show the distinction of being the largest all-junior exhibitor show in the country for a number of years. With its loyal following, the show continued to grow and change with the times. The annual show was re-named the Garden State Horse Show with its move to Chubb Park in Chester, in 1984. In 1987 the show moved to its present home at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Despite its disbanding, Troop alumni and their families continue to support and run this popular horse show. The horse show committee is predominantly comprised of alumni and, for many, it is a lifelong commitment. Many of the former Troopers fondly recall their days in Junior Essex Troop, or JET as they call it, and remember the lessons they learned there n both about horses and about life. “The most important things I learned from Troop were self-reliance, how to take orders, how to give orders and what it’s like to be responsible for instruction and safety of younger Troopers. It was a never-to-be forgotten grounding and learning experience, “ says Dr. John Lowe, the show veterinarian. Although he never owned his own horse while in JET, since that time, Lowe’s association with horses has been lifelong. In addition to being a very well respected equine veterinarian himself, Lowe’s daughter, son, and daughter-in-law are all professional horsemen. Another JET alumnus, Brian Colquhoun, DVM, has served as the show’s main announcer for the past 26 years. “I began working at the show in 1968 as a new cadet in Troop,” says Colquhoun. A member of the horse show committee for the past 20 years, he says, “Without a doubt the things that stand out [about Troop] were the sense of duty and responsibility that I gained there and the camaraderie I had and still have with other Troopers.” Horse Show co-chairman, George Uniss, sums up his feelings about the show. “It’s a way of reliving your childhood and being 15 or 16 years old again for a whole week, and it’s a way of seeing friends you haven’t seen for an entire year. And another really nice thing is that we now have alumni whose children are competing at Garden State.” Tim Cleary, manager of the Garden State Horse Show, echoes the others’ feelings. “With Troop and the show, we are so lucky to have done something so good for so long.” He explains that a group of alumni are currently working on plans to revive Junior Essex Troop in a manner similar to what it was years ago. “We definitely have a vision for the future,” he asserts. Cleary extends an invitation to all JET alumni to come to this year’s show. “I’d like to see as many alum as possible at the Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon. It will be great to regroup and reminisce.”