TRF Hunter Pace nets $2,710 DENNIS SYMONS JR. Tanya Macke and Scott Rhinesmith, of Drunmore, Pa., get ready to compete at the Garden State Horse and Carriage Society and National Standardbred Show at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold on Oct. 29. ALLENTOWN - Over 70 riders and their horses turned out Oct. 28 at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area under sunny skies and gusty winds to support the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The foundation held its second annual N.J. Hunter Pace and raised $2,710 from the seven-plus-mile pace produced and founded by Patricia Jasin, a TRF marketing volunteer who owns two ex-racehorses, according to a Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) press release. The ideal time set to finish the pace was one hour, 42 minutes and 48 seconds. The winning team's time was one hour, 42 minutes and 30 seconds. Donna Van Demark, of Monroe Township, and Donna Morris and Tracy Cramer, both of Englishtown, comprised the winning team that came in closest to the ideal time. The women rode together in the pace as a reunion after two years. They each received a medal, a blue ribbon, and a gift certificate to Rick's Saddle Shop in Upper Freehold. They also split a $100 cash prize for being one of the top two teams that came the closest to the pace time. Jasin praised the volunteers and riders who made the event a success. "People gave of their time and sometimes personal money to clean trails, buy food and decorations, pick up prizes, mark trails, and distribute fliers," she said. Monmouth County Horse and Rider magazine sponsored the pace and Gateway Toyota, of Toms River, donated $200 while Rick's Saddle Shop donated the gift certificates. Jasin also spoke of the enthusiasm of the riders. "The riders who came out in these winds are real horse lovers," she said. "This was an all volunteer effort, and the money went to the TRF to save the ex-racehorses from slaughter." She added that the pace was open to all breeds and riding styles. "We had all kinds of breeds, and the winners rode quarter horses," she said. "Their efforts benefit all horses." Jasin said the TRF is currently working to pass legislation in Washington to stop horse slaughter in this country. Established in 1982, TRF is located in Shrewsbury and is the oldest and most respected horse rescue nonprofit organization in the United States. The organization rescues and rehabilitates ex-racehorses across the country. For more information about TRF, visit www.trfinc.org For further information on other horse events, visit www.monmouthcountyhorserider.com.