June 19, 2021
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)-The Mercer County Park Commission joined the African American Cultural Collaborative in celebration of Juneteenth today, June 19, 2021 at the Mercer County Stables.
Visitors learned about Black Equestrians and the fascinating history of Black Cowboys!
To learn more about the Juneteenth celebrations, see www.taacf.com
Photo gallery of today’s event below:
Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
November 17, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 197, which waives the statutory minimum number of live race dates for the 2020 calendar year. Racetracks must satisfy these statutory requirements as a prerequisite for obtaining the renewal of off-track and account wagering licenses. These requirements largely could not be met in 2020 because racetracks were closed for several months at the beginning of the pandemic under Executive Order Nos. 104 and 107. For a copy of Executive Order No. 197, click here.
- Photo by Martin Damboldt on Pexels.com
November 16, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Assemblyman Ron Dancer’s bill permitting full-time, year-round farm employees to reside in facilities that board horses is headed to the governor’s desk after passing the Assembly today.
“Farm employees often need more access to the horses they care for,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “They will be able to take better care of these animals if they can live on the premises.”
The bill (A2768) would amend the Right to Farm Act to allow housing for equine-related farm employees as long as it is in a separate area or level from the horses, has its own ventilation system and meets all uniform construction code standards, including fire ratings. The Right to Farm Act protects responsible commercial farms from public and private nuisance actions and unduly restrictive municipal regulations.
“Taking care of a horse is one of the most demanding and worthwhile jobs one could do,” said Dancer. “The horse industry is important to New Jersey’s economy, and we must keep this industry thriving.”
New Jersey has more horses per capita than any other state in the nation. The United States Equestrian Team is headquartered in Gladstone, New Jersey.
The Senate unanimously passed the bill (S1245) on July 30.
November 6, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–New Jersey residents can now place bets on horse races even when they are out of state. Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday signed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer (A2355) that allows residents to place wagers using New Jersey’s account wagering system while in another state. “All New Jersey residents should be allowed to place wagers on horse racing no matter where they are, whether it’s online or through an agency,” stated Dancer (R-Ocean). “With the changes in technology, our access to place wagers has changed and the law should reflect those changes. It’s also critical we do everything we can do to keep our staple industries afloat during and after the coronavirus pandemic.”
The Assembly voted 73-0 on the bill in June, and last month the state Senate passed it with a 35-0 vote.
- Assemblyman Ron Dancer
Assemblyman Ron Dancer
Breaking News, some reports from official sources and some reports from on scene and radio traffic, reported as accurately as possible
Updated at 9:40 am. with what we know
Updated at 1:00 pm with some details from social media
June 7, 2020
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–New Jersey State Police confirmed that 10 horses died in a horse transport truck accident with fire early this morning on the New Jersey Turnpike. The truck was a very large tractor trailer style horse transport.
One Facebook witness said they were passing the area at the time and saw flames 20 feet in the air coming from the wreckage.
The transport vehicle traveling north lost control and struck a concrete divider in the area of the bridge support for an emergency U-Turn on the highway then caught fire.
NJSP did not confirm that two persons were injured including one with inhalation burns to the lungs. The injured people were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick trauma center.
The accident and fire occurred around 3:00 am this morning on the New Jersey Turnpike “truck lanes” outer roadway near mile marker 68.6 north bound which is between Wycoff Mills Road and Brick Yard Road, approximately 1 mile north of Exit 8 Hightstown
Multiple fire departments and ambulance crews responded to the scene including units from Hightstown, East Windsor 1 & 2, Cranbury, Plainsboro and Monroe. Hightstown First Aid Squad transported 2 to RWJ, New Brunswick.
It was reported the horse transport was coming from Florida.
No further information is available at this time. NJSP would not give name of carrier or farm that horses belonged to.
One unconfirmed source stated that the horse trailer may have been en route from Ocala, Florida to Sarasota, NY carrying race horses for a race today and training at Saratoga Springs.
Sad to share that two WPT fillies were among the @clementstable horses in the tragic van accident this morning. Rest easy Hot Mist & Under the Oaks. Condolences to her Partners, the Clement team,& all those who loved the 🐴 who perished. Very glad the drivers are ok. 💔 pic.twitter.com/btJGyppf9l
— West Point Tbred (@westpointtbred) June 7, 2020
This morning we learned from Sallee that a van carrying horses to our barn in NY caught on fire. We understand both drivers were admitted to hospital, and that all horses have passed. We are all devastated by the news and heartbroken – we are working to understand what happened.
— Christophe Clement Racing Stable (@clementstable) June 7, 2020
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ADVERTISEMENT: Washington Wellness Center, Robbinsville NJ https://washingtonwellnesscenter.com/
Tractor trailer fire on New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound North of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) right and center lanes blocked due to Tractor Trailer fire on left shoulder of northbound outer roadway https://t.co/hENq4VO3jf
— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) June 7, 2020
November 17, 2019 Updated November 19, 2019
Update: I have revived a communication from Assemblyman Ron Dancer that Bill A-4800 passed the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee and will advance to the next process. See below:
“I am a co-sponsor of A4800 and am pleased to inform you that the bill passed Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on November 18, 2019. “
Ron DancerAssemblyman
12th Legislative District
TRENTON, NJ–Assembly Transportation and Committee will hear the Bill A-4800 on Monday November 18, 2019 for creation of a special licence plate for NJ’s State Animal the horse. The bill originally introduced on December 10, 2018 is sponsored by: Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney, Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson, Co sponsored by Assemblymen Thompson and Dancer
Hearing for special licence plate Bill A-4800 on Monday November 18, 2019
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
November 16, 2019
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ–The Standardbred Retirement Foundation held their “Holiday Fun at the Horse Farm” event Sunday. There was plenty to see and do for all, including a baby and mother horse where mom was tagged for slaughter and rescued. Horses were being shown in the riding rink outside as well as in the barn. A charity auction, outdoor fire place with marshmallows on a stick with hot cocoa, wine tasting, holiday shopping, free tack items, and the “Horse Plop Bingo” kept everyone busy.
Also at the event was several dogs saved from India and Baku City, Azerbaijan (Former Soviet Republic) by Zani’s Furry Friends ZFF, inc. The non-profit rescues animals internationally and finds homes for the animals. To adopt a furry friend see this link.
Horses are available for adoption from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
- Baby horse mom was tagged for slaughter and was rescued
- Mom and baby horse, mom was tagged for slaughter and rescued.
Zani’s Furry Friends ZFF, inc. Shown with rescued dogs from Baku City, Azerbaijan (part of former Soviet Republic) Shown left to right holding rescued dogs: Standing, Jennifer Nielsen, sitting: Vanessa Alvarez and Steven Batista- Holiday Auction
Holiday Fun At The Farm, Photos by: Dennis Symons, Jr.