Belmont welcomes World of Horses

The World of Horses comes to Belmont Park Sunday to celebrate the Memorial

Day weekend and the June 11 Belmont Stakes (G1).

The day begins with a Parade of Breeds on the main track, tentatively

scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (EDT), led by the Nassau County Mounted Unit and

featuring local horses and riders. Exhibitions take place between races, and a

variety of equestrian activities will be represented.

George Small of Great River Ranch in Central Islip, New York, presents a

reining demonstration with his daughter Rein America Norton, 10. George will be

riding Pepto's Paint Gem, while Rein is aboard Chrome's Crackerjack. Reining is

an athletic and artistic Western discipline in which the horse performs circles,

sliding stops and other maneuvers that require obedience and agility.

Lorraine Burke of Islip and her daughter Kaleigh, 14, offer a musical

dressage exhibition. Lorraine's Hanoverian gelding, Lord Camelot, has competed

at the F.E.I. or highest levels of dressage (classical horsemanship). Kaleigh's

Paso Fino, Cody, has earned awards at First Level. Lorraine's choreography is

designed to highlight the abilities of both horses in a "dance" that emphasizes

the best of dressage.

Cindy Laskow of Crystal Brook Farm in Centerreach, New York, riding a Jockey

Club-registered Palomino called My Bon Jovi, will demonstrate jumping. She will

be joined by her student, Samantha Renieris, 15, on Otteridge Scout's Honor,

owned by Gina Passante. The horses and riders will show their skills at judging

proper distances, approaching at adequate speeds and determining their take-off

spots as the obstacle is raised.

Two gymkhana events, barrel racing and pole bending, will be presented by

Michelle Manfrede of Merrick, New York, and Lance Malone of Islip. Gymkhana

means games on horseback, and both barrel racing and pole bending are races

against the clock. Michelle is a member of the Nassau Community College riding

team and was the Islip Horsemen's Association's overall high point gymkhana

champion last year with her Paint cross, The Clippinator. Lance was reserve

champion behind Michelle and had the fastest times in speed barrels, the dash

and pole bending with his Quarter Horse, appropriately named Quick. Quick, age

28, may be the oldest horse at Belmont Park that day.

The Islip Horsemen's Association's Spirit of Long Island Drill Team completes

the line-up. This group has entertained at many venues, including Belmont Park

and Saratoga, and marched in Macy's 2009 Thanksgiving Day parade. The drill team

never fails to elicit cheers as it weaves its way through intricate formations

to lively patriotic music.

Sunday is Family Fun Day at Belmont Park and offers enjoyment for people of

all ages. For information contact The New York Racing Association, 516-488-6000.