Farm offers trail ride to benefit St. Jude
Rides will cost $25 and are offered to people of all ages
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent

ERIC SUCAR staff Sharon Farmer gets Brick, one of the horses at Superior Horse Farm, ready for a ride Tuesday.

MONROE - The owners of Superior Horse Farm of New Jersey are inviting everyone to saddle up for children with cancer on Saturday.

The farm, on Old Forge Road, will host its seventh annual trail ride to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a Memphis, Tenn.- based international research center that accepts patients without regard for the families' ability to pay.

The trail ride, which works like a walkathon, is estimated to be about 10 miles, so people can donate by the mile or just make a contribution. The normal cost for a trail ride at the farm is $40, but Sharon and William Farmer, who own the stable, have reduced that to $25.

"It's really a bargain for anyone who likes to ride," Sharon said.

Participants don't have to be experienced riders to participate in the event. Superior Horse Farm has horses for all levels of riders.

"Our horses are really gentle, so no one needs to be afraid," Sharon said. "My youngest student is 2. We want as many people as possible to come out."

Jennifer Mullen-Sommer, of East Brunswick, boards her thoroughbred, Victoria, at the stable and has participated in previous trail rides.

"I really enjoy going out on the trail. I have seen turkey, deer and even a fox," she said of the ride.

It's a lot of fun. It's

great cause and all the money goes to treat the poor kids."

Sharon said the farm will have coffee and refreshments, and pony rides for younger children.

"We also have riding helmets for anyone who needs one," she said.

Superior Horse Farm, which opened 30 years ago, is a family-owned and -operated stable that boards horses and offers lessons for all ages and skill levels. It also buys and sells horses and trains them for individual owners.

Sharon has done a lot of work with youth groups. Scouts have earned their badges at the farm, and the Metuchen YMCA has held its horse camps there.

"We have them start riding on Monday, and by Friday we have a horse show here so they can show off what they have learned," Sharon said. "It really gives the kids confidence."

Sharon has been teaching for 28 years, and some of her students regularly participate in competitive riding events and shows. She also has developed some innovative programs, one of which has really touched her heart - offering recreational riding for disabled children, some of whom are blind.

"It's just wonderful to see the look of amazement on their faces when they feel the horses and realize how big they are, but how gentle," Sharon said. "For most it's the first time they have ever 'seen' a horse."

The farm also had a Friday night singles group over the summer.

"It's really something different and everyone enjoys it. That will be starting up again in the spring," she said.

The farm also does birthday parties and special events.

"I'm always willing to try new activities with community groups and the horses," Sharon said. "Because we own the farm we can be really flexible and creative." "Saddle Up for St. Jude" will start at p.m. at the farm, located at 113 Old Forge Road near the Jamesburg border. Each trail ride takes about an hour, and rides will continue throughout the day depending on the number of participants for the event. Signup sheets are available at the stables.

For more information about the trail ride or Superior Horse Farm, call Sharon Farmer at (732) 521-4969 or visit the Web site at www.superiorhorsefarmnj.com.