Allentown, NJ - August 4, 2016 - The JFI Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that - following long-running negotiations with State, county and local entities responsible for the land encompassing the Horse Park of New Jersey - the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI) will expand competition access to additional acreage abutting its present Cross-Country courses.
The area has most recently been available to JFI for competitor hacking during the Event but will now be readied for 2017 competition. The arrangement making this property available is intended to be a precursor of longer-term plans to obtain additional space for future events. These accommodations also represent an essential coming together among local land interests, governmental authorities, JFI and the Horse Park of New Jersey to ensure ongoing responsible land usage in concert with recreational application.
The expansion of JFI's CCI and CIC Two- and Three-Star-Level Cross-Country tracks is also a next step in the JFI Organizing Committee's ongoing efforts that continue to enhance competitor and spectator experience at this high-profile, internationally recognized competition - often a qualifying must-attend for aspiring Olympic and World Equestrian Games Team members. JFI 2016, which was held May 11-15, was the final qualifying selection event for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team that will compete in the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just days away.
"The last two years have seen enormous changes at JFI," says Dan Wunderlich, Chair of the JFI Organizing Committee. "Once again we move forward, bringing the next stages of our vision for the Event to fruition by focusing on developing additional prime acreage generously made available for future Cross-Country competition."
Plans, both immediate and long-range, for expansion of JFI's competition venue build on similar efforts that resulted in the spacious "Evanko Field" and other terrain elements becoming exciting additional sections of the Event's Cross-Country courses over the past several years - increasing competitor challenge and spectator vantage points, including JFI's extremely popular tailgating sites.
JFI 2017 will take place May 10-14 of next year, marking the Event's 15th year anniversary. The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event is administered by the Horse Park of New Jersey, a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit, Charitable and Educational organization that relies on sponsors, volunteers and members to sustain operations. Further information about JFI is available at www.jfi3d.com. Further information about the Horse Park is available at www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.