Isabelle Bosley and Paper Doll compete at Essex Horse Trials. © AK Dragoo Photography
It’s not every day a legend like Marilyn Payne personally picks up the reins to save an event — but that’s exactly what she’s doing for the much-beloved Essex Horse Trials, which have undergone a myriad of changes in recent seasons but now looks ahead to its upcoming Horse Trials June 1-2. This year’s event will be fully held at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, NJ (previously, some phases of competition had been held at USET headquarters in Gladstone, NJ).
“When the organizers said they were done, I thought, ‘We can’t lose Essex,’” Marilyn, who is now the organizer of the event, says. “So I stepped in. I’m not getting paid. I’m just doing this because I want Essex to happen.”
The historic horse trials are a beloved staple of Area II’s summer calendar. But as entries prepare to close on an extended late date of May 27, Marilyn has a simple message for the eventing community: “We need you.”
For Marilyn — an Olympic judge, lifelong horsewoman, and veteran competitor — Essex is more than just another competition. “Out of all the events I’ve ever done in my life — and I’ve done quite a few — I’ve never gone to a one-day or even a two-day horse trial that is as good as Essex,” she says. “It’s world-class, even at the lower levels.”
It’s easy to see why. With top-notch footing at the iconic Moorland Farm, a fully sponsored Riders’ Tent with free food and drinks all day, generous prizes through sixth place, and the kind of enthusiastic tailgating you’d expect from a world-class sporting event, Essex offers a truly special experience—for riders, owners, and spectators alike.
And this year’s edition will be no exception.
Ryan Wood and Ruby. Photo by i{mpack}t studio courtesy of Mars Essex Horse Trials.
What’s New in 2025
- Among the upgrades for 2025:
- A Starter division at 2’3” height to welcome newer riders and young horses
- Tailgating at the water jump, which brings spectators right into the action
- A 20-page special printed program celebrating competitors and community
- A vibrant vendor village and multiple food trucks
- Continued support for Life Camp, the event’s beneficiary nonprofit, which brings hundreds of inner-city kids from New York to experience horses up close
“We raised $20,000 for Life Camp last year,” says Marilyn. “And the kids come—about 200 of them. They get to be around the horses, learn something new. It’s magical.”
Juli and Welbourne at Essex. Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings-Sebring.
But First: We Need Entries
“As of now, we’ve only got about 30 riders entered,” Marilyn says. “We need at least 150 to break even. Last year we had 125. I know people want to come — they just need to enter.”
She stresses that entries will remain open after the May 22 closing date, and the team will accept late entries wherever possible. “It’s a beautifully run, welcoming event, and it can only keep happening if people show up,” she says. “If you’re thinking about it — do it. Bring a green horse. Try the Starter. Come see what makes Essex so special.”
Whether you’re a rider, spectator, or supporter, there are plenty of ways to be part of the Essex story:
- Enter now (Starter through Prelim levels)
- Encourage your barn friends to sign up
- Plan a tailgate or come out to spectate
- Donate to Life Camp or bring a first-time fan to the event
“When someone like EN puts out an article, it makes people say, ‘Hey, this is a big deal,’” Marilyn says. “It’s a third-party endorsement that makes all the difference.”
Let’s make a difference—for Marilyn, for Essex, and for the future of the sport.
📝 Entries close Thursday, May 22. Visit this link or visit the Essex website here to sign up or learn more.
