Horse show special event aids battle against cancer
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Correspondent

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The crowd remains quiet, and the horse and rider team in the ring are sailing effortlessly over red and white jumps in the Stillwell-Hansen ring at East Freehold Park, home of this year's 112th Monmouth County Horse Show and the Ride for Riverview.

Not even the rain, heat and humidity could dampen the spirits of this year's horse show that ran Aug. 22-26.

"We have such loyal exhibitors," said Carol Stillwell, chairwoman of the Ride for Riverview. "Every year people come back and every year we grow a little more."

Stillwell and her sister, Mary Ann Larkin, co-chair of the Ride for Riverview, along with other local horse enthusiasts, began the Ride for Riverview with the goal of supporting the Jane H. and John Marshall Booker Cancer Center at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. The annual event is run in conjunction with the Monmouth County Horse Show, one of the oldest annually held horse shows in the United States.

But the Ride for Riverview is more personal for Carol Stillwell.

Stillwell's father had been diagnosed with cancer nine years ago and underwent an experimental chemotherapy treatment at Riverview and survived. In an effort to support the organization that saved her father, Stillwell and others created the Ride for Riverview.

"Since we started the Ride for Riverview we have raised over $600,000 for the cancer center," Stillwell said.

The $30,000 Stillwell-Hansen/Ride for Riverview Grand Prix class is sponsored by Stillwell's company, Stillwell- Hansen Inc. and is kicked off by a complimentary round of mimosas, sponsored by the Cassidy Family, on the Sunday morning of the horse show.

The horse show also features a silent auction with various goodies for children and adults, donated by numerous sponsors of the horse show, including local businesses like Rick's Saddle Shop of Englishtown.

"Every year they get more and more donations," said Liz Lutz, the special events coordinator for the Riverview Medical Center Foundation. "It is very beneficial to the hospital."

Riders come from all over to compete in the prestigious show that culminates on Sunday afternoon with the $30,000 Stillwell-Hansen/Ride for Riverview Grand Prix event. The rider who successfully completes the intricate jump course will walk away with the cash.

Some of this year's show attendees included Holly Orlando of Wellington, Fla., Frank and Stacia Madden of Colts Neck, Nona Garson of Lebanon, and Kevin Babington, formerly of Ireland, just to name a few.

"We really try to accommodate all of our exhibitors," said Mike Maxwell, one of the three Monmouth County Horse Show managers. "This year we had to fight Mother Nature with the rain, but we had consulted Frank and Stacia Madden about improving our footing (in the show rings) before the show even started."

The footing passed the test because plenty of smiling riders were seen riding around jump courses atop their mounts.

"I love this horse show," said Nona Garson, past United States Equestrian Team Olympian and renowned Grand Prix rider. "I have been coming to this horse show since I was a little girl."

The Monmouth County Horse Show and the Ride for Riverview encourage families to come out with their children in the form of Family Day held on Saturday during the show. A petting zoo, pony rides and face painting are just some of the activities children and families can enjoy while watching the Pre- Children's Hunter Pony classes.

"There are so many things about this show that are great," said Mimi Kesselman of Little Silver. "I rode here as a kid and it's great for me to watch my daughter ride here, too."

Adele Murphy of Red Bank agreed. "My daughter loves riding in this show," she said. "To us, it's home."