8/7/2012 - Horse Show Trots On
As the grandstands filled up at the main ring of the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show and the opening ceremonies for the Horse Show were about to begin, one question entered my head.
How many people outside the show realized that the longest running staple of the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show was in jeopardy as recently as a few months ago?
You couldn’t tell by the opening ceremonies which went off without a hitch, but having covered the ceremony several times over the years, I could feel a different vibe in the air and there was a good reason.
Last winter members of the horse show committee and the Sussex County Farm Show squared off in a messy legal dispute of which group would retain financial control of the show, which had run its own books since its inception 76 years ago when it was a one-day event in Branchville.
The Fair wanted the show to hand over its funds and checkbooks and the Fair would reimburse the show for its expenses and prizewinners for its various events.
The battle went to court and became public with horse show people picking sides, including committee members. The latest legal round came to a halt in March when the sides came to a settlement.
After the settlement, five show committee members resigned, including president Lucille Pagano and former show president Sue Gerber.
“Our hearts are broken,” said Gerber in an interview with Nancy Jaffer of the Star-Ledger in March adding they gave up their lawsuit because they ran out of money. Part of the deal was that all current legal fees accrued by the departing members would be paid for by the Show.
I have interviewed both Pagano and Gerber over the years and they were very passionate about the show and it is a shame to see them go. But I have no knowledge of the inside workings of the show and couldn’t even imagine taking a side in this dispute.
What I do know is that former show president Ken Okken and longtime show fixture and competitor Robin Fairclough remained on the committee and stepped up to the plate to keep the show going and kudus to them.
Executive Director of the Fair Mark Mussilli rightly praised the duo when I spoke to him prior to the opening ceremonies. And when I interviewed them they were very proud to help keep a Sussex County institution going.
Like I said, I have no dog or horse in this fight, I’m just happy that the show will carry on for now.
FAIR MUSINGS…One of the newest events at the Fair has become one of my favorites and that is the Strongest Man at the Fair run by former Newton grad Rob Agnoli.
First off, it raises money for a great cause in DASI, an organization that helps victims of domestic and sexual abuse. And secondly, it is a blast watching these behemoths strut their stuff and put on a show for the fans.
Agnoli, who played hoops at Newton and runs NJMuscle, does a great job as emcee and he also showed off his prowess when he bent a pan in half and dead lifted a sedan five times.
All the contestants had flair and acted like pro wrestlers getting the crowd into it.
There were three events: Dumbbell press with a top weight of 180 pounds; tossing empty beer kegs over a 14-foot wall and the car deadlift.
The whole show was fun for the family and Agnoli did a great job.
Another popular event I covered was the lumberjack competition sponsored by Stihl. The grueling, three-hour event drew a big crowd to the Ag Pavilion and former two-time Kittatinny state wrestling champ Steve Dalling came away the winner.
Who was the second-pace winner? His wife Rene, who was one of two female contestants in the male-dominated event.
The competition featured all facets of wood cutting, including an ax throw and a log pushing race.
So I asked the Dallings if they practice all the time and they just laughed and said no as they picked up their saws that morning and came to the Fair. So much for preparation, huh?
But it was fun watching Dalling cruise through event just like he did over 20 years ago at Jadwin Gym in Princeton en route to the state championship.
GREAT CAUSE…Pope John boys soccer coach Brad Cameron will be running the fourth annual Mona Barbulescu Tournament this Saturday at Pope John starting at 9 a.m.
Mona, the wife of PJ girls soccer coach Ryan Barbulescu, passed away from cancer fours years ago and the event was started up in her memory.
“Our goal at the end of the day is to raise as much money as possible in Mona's memory that will be distributed as scholarships to graduating senior soccer players from Pope John. We have averaged about $3000 for the first three years and this year we hope to top that amount,” said Cameron.
I have attended the tourney the last three years and it’s a great day of boys and girls soccer. It provides a terrific tuneup for preseason camps which get under way in a couple of weeks.
It kicks off with the Newton and PJ boys squaring off in a friendly, but intense game. Just listening to Cameron and Newton coach Pat Brennan break each other chops is worth the price of admission.
So if you want to see some good soccer and help raise money for a great cause stop by PJ on Saturday.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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