Lord Stirling Stable Manager Earns National Service Award

Career horsewoman Margie Margentino, Manager of the Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable, has received the 2015 Outstanding Service Award at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Round Up (ENRU) in Louisville, Kentucky, a part of the North American International Livestock Exposition.

The award, sponsored by the Pinto Horse Association of America, recognizes outstanding individuals who have been leaders in the horse industry and have helped young horse enthusiasts further their equestrian knowledge and skills. 

Honored for her 29 years of service to the event, Margentino has served as a judge, and as co-superintendent of the Horse Bowl contest.

Margentino has been involved in the 4-H horse program for more than 45 years. She credits the 4-H Horse Judging program in giving her a start in her licensed officials’ career with the United States Equestrian Federation where she had earned large R status as a Combined Driving Course Designer, Judge, and Technical Delegate, in addition to being an FEI C Course Designer.

Prior to becoming the Manager of Lord Stirling, Margentino provided leadership to the New Jersey 4-H Horse program as the state’s equine and livestock Program Associate for Rutgers Cooperative Extension. She has served on the national boards or committees of the American Youth Horse Council, the American Driving Society, United States Driving for the Disabled, the former United States Equestrian Team, and has been a clinician for the United States Equestrian Federation.

Established in 1968, Lord Stirling Stable is home to 80 horses and ponies and serves the recreational equestrian needs of Somerset and nearby counties. The Stable recently received the state’s prestigious Gold Medal Horse Farm Award for its environmental stewardship and management.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Eagle Scout Installs Revolutionary War Trail Markers

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Preserving the past in history-rich Somerset County, Chris Solan has developed and installed a trail marker system highlighting the route the French used when passing through Bridgewater on their way to Yorktown in the Revolutionary War. Solan is a Life Scout working on his Eagle Scout project

Scout Solan’s Eagle Scout Project marks the path of French nobleman Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, leader of the only army that marched through Bridgewater during the Revolution.

Solan established a series of trail markers including road-side signage and trail markers, all of which have been approved by the Township of Bridgewater and Somerset County Parks.

The project marks the events on August 29, 1781 when American armies took different routes through Chatham, Springfield, and Scotch Plains while Rochambeau’s force of 5,300 men arrived at Bullion’s Tavern in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. They set up camp for the night, and the next morning began the march through Bridgewater to Somerset Courthouse (now Millstone, New Jersey).

 
Included in the route taken are what is now Washington Valley Road., Adamsville Road., Steele Gap Road, and Foothill Road (at that time known as Pluckemin Road). The march through Bridgewater ended when they passed the Van Veghten House near Adamsville Road, and crossed over the Raritan River to their campsite at Summerset Court House.

Rochambeau's men met up with George Washington's American Army in Princeton and continued their march through Philadelphia and eventually reaching their final destination, Yorktown, on September 15th 1781.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

LSS Recognized as Gold Medal Horse Farm

Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable (LSS), located at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, has been selected as a “Gold Medal Horse Farm” by the New Jersey Equine Environmental Stewardship Program (NJEESP). Lord Stirling Stable is only the fourth facility in the state to earn this honor.

The award was presented to Stable Manager Marge Margentino, Park Commissioners, and Senior Staff at a reception at the Cook College Center on the campus of Rutgers University.

The NJEESP is a joint project of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University (NJAES), the Rutgers Equine Science Center, and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA).

The Gold Medal Horse Farm program recognizes outstanding equine farms for management practices; stewardship of the land; the health, safety, and well-being of the horses; programming; and dedication to environmental sustainability. Further, it underscores the efforts of the New Jersey equine industry to maintain the beauty of the Garden State.

The award recognizes Lord Stirling Stable’s accomplishments including a new Nutrient Management plan developed to benefit the stable and the entire park system. The on-site composting facility transforms manure and stable waste into an organic, nutrient-rich material which is used to fertilize the pastures and plants at all Somerset County Park locations

Additional management practices include non-chemical control of weeds, dragging pastures to break up manure, pasture renovation, and daily removal of manure from smaller paddocks and turnouts.

“We are honored to be recognized for providing proper care of our horses, protecting our land, and delivering a rewarding riding experience for our guests,” commented Stable Manager Marge Margentino.

Established in 1968, Lord Stirling Stable is located on the site of the former John Jacob Astor estate within the Great Swamp Watershed.  It is home to 80 horses and ponies and serves the recreational equestrian needs of Somerset and nearby counties.

Lord Stirling Stable joins Woodhollow Farm (2014), D’Arrigo Racing Stable LLC (2013) and Showplace Farms (2012) as the state’s only Gold Medal Horse Farms.

Lord Stirling Stable Recognized as Gold Medla Horse Farm

Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable (LSS), located at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, has been selected as a “Gold Medal Horse Farm” by the New Jersey Equine Environmental Stewardship Program (NJEESP). Lord Stirling Stableis only the fourth facility in the state to earn this honor.

The NJEESP is a joint project of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University (NJAES), the Rutgers Equine Science Center, and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA).

The Gold Medal Horse Farm program and award recognizes outstanding equine farms for management practices; stewardship of the land; the health, safety, and well-being of the horses; programming; and dedication to environmental sustainability. Further, it underscores the efforts of the New Jersey equine industry to maintain the beauty of the Garden State.

“Stable staff works very hard to ensure that we take proper care of our horses, protect our land, and provide a rewarding riding experience for our guests,” commented Stable Manager Marge Margentino. “The Gold Medal Award is a tribute to their efforts.”

Established in 1968, Lord Stirling Stable is located on the site of the former John Jacob Astor estate within the Great Swamp Watershed.  It is home to 80 horses and ponies and serves the recreational equestrian needs of Somerset and nearby counties.

The award recognizes the Stable’s accomplishments including a new Nutrient Management plan developed to benefit the stable and the entire park system. The on-site composting facility transforms manure and stable waste into an organic, nutrient-rich material which is used to fertilize the pastures and plants at all Somerset County Park locations

Additional management practices include non-chemical control of weeds, dragging pastures to break up manure, pasture renovation, and daily removal of manure from smaller paddocks and turnouts.

Lord Stirling Stable joins Woodhollow Farm (2014), D’Arrigo Racing Stable LLC (2013) and Showplace Farms (2012) as the state’s only Gold Medal Horse Farms.

The award presentation is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2015 beginning at 5:00 P.M. at Cook Campus Center, 59 Biel Road, New Brunswick, NJ.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.