March 2, 2020 - In its 18-year history, the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI) has become one of the most influential eventing competitions in the country. Taking place at the Horse Park of New Jersey, May 6-10, the 2020 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, presented by B.W. Furlong & Associates, in conjunction with Division Sponsor, Zoetis; new Presenting – level Sponsor, AIG; and Competitor Hospitality Sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim, will once again serve as a qualifying selection trial for the United States Eventing team that will compete in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
In the past, Jersey Fresh has helped to determine teams for both the Olympic and World Equestrian Games for the U.S. and Canada. In 2019, JFI was a qualifying event for the U.S. Eventing Team that went on to win double gold medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
This year’s Jersey Fresh will host CCI Four-Star and Three-Star events featuring many of the nation’s top horses and riders. In addition, JFI will host a newly added Preliminary Division for future stars in the sport.
“We are excited that the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event will once again play a part in the selection process for this year’s U.S. Olympic team,” said, Morgan Rowsell, co-organizer of Jersey Fresh International. “Our event will feature the nation’s best horses and riders and spectators will have the opportunity to watch them compete for spots on the U.S. Olympic team headed for Tokyo!”
JFI is proud to partner with Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement who will be the event’s official beneficiary. Second Call, founded in 2012, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Thoroughbred adoption and placement program dedicated to New Jersey’s off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Serving as the exclusive "After Care Program" for Monmouth Park, the mission is to assist and ensure that retired racehorses find a second calling and/or profession. Thoroughbreds accepted into the program are rested, evaluated, and re-acclimated. They are then transitioned to proven trainers with a financial stipend from Second Call who retrain and prepare the former racehorses for their new tasks. Every effort is made to ensure successful, long-term placements.
Spectators at JFI will enjoy watching former and future Olympians as they compete in the heart of the beautiful New Jersey horse country. JFI also provides a fantastic shopping and entertainment venue for equestrians and non-equestrians alike. Vendors featuring tack, boots, clothing, supplements, artisan creations, and a wide variety of specialty goods will be on hand as well as food vendors offering a variety of local cuisine. Spectators can also participate in tailgating during the cross-country phase of the competition, hat decorating contests, children’s activities, and so much more!
Admission to JFI and the Horse Park of New Jersey, is free on Wednesday, May 6 (first jog); Thursday, May 7 (dressage phase, day one); and Friday, May 8 (dressage phase, day two). General admission tickets for Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10 are available at the gate for $10 per person. General Admission does not include admission to VIP/pre-reserved tents or pre-reserved tailgating spots. More information about tailgating and tickets is available online at www.jfi3d.com.
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.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.