History of Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in Timeline

The Sussex County Farm and Horse Show is a ten-day agricultural fair held annually in August at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey. It attracts around 220,000 attendees each year. The event has been organized as a non-profit organization since 1940, emphasizing its community-focused nature.

1919: Formation of the Branchville Riding Club

In 1919, the Branchville Riding Club was formed when automobiles were still rare. The club was established for recreational riding, with members riding together for pleasure to various destinations throughout the county.

1923: First horse show organized

In 1923, Walter R. Wright, the President of the Riding Club, with the aid of Mr. and Mrs. Condit Compton and Miss Lydia Bale, organized a small horse show for Walter Wright's pupils at Rolison Farm. This first horse show was a success.

1926: Horse show moved to William L. Bass Farm

In 1926, the horse show was moved to a new ring on the William L. Bass Farm on the Old Newton Road. At the time, admission was 25 cents, and ribbons and trophies were offered for competition.

October 7, 1933: Branchville Community Horse Meet Organized

On October 7, 1933, members of the Branchville Riding Club organized the Branchville Community Horse Meet on the grounds of Selected Risks Insurance Company in Branchville, New Jersey, at the invitation of D.L.B. Smith.

1933: Fair charity donation halted

In 1933, for the first time since that year, due to a monetary loss, the fair was unable to donate money to local charities.

1933: Formation of Sussex County Horse Show Association

In 1933, following the success of the Branchville Community Horse Meet, the Sussex County Horse Show Association formed, with Augustus S. Whitmore as President, W.R. Decker as Secretary, and Lydia Bale as Treasurer.

1934: Doubling of Participants

In 1934, the horse show saw a doubling of the number of participants.

1935: First "queen of the fair" competition

In 1935, attendance exceeded 1,000 spectators for the first time and the first “queen of the fair” competition took place during the horse show.

1936: Incorporation as Sussex County Horse Show

In 1936, the event officially incorporated as the Sussex County Horse Show. Horse team pulling took center stage when Mike and Ike, owned by William H. Sanford and Son, achieved a heavy-weight record pull of 9,840 pounds.

1938: Sussex County Horse Show Growth

By 1938 the Sussex County Horse Show drew 3,000 spectators and was larger than any other outdoor show in the East, only surpassed by the National Horse Show held at Madison Square Garden.

1940: Re-incorporation as Sussex County Farm and Horse Show

In 1940, at the suggestion of Francis Morrow, the Sussex County Horse Show merged with several agricultural groups to re-incorporate as the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. From 1940 forward, the event would be run as both a horse show and an agricultural fair, expanding the event from one day to three days.

1942: Cancellation due to World War II

The Sussex County Farm and Horse Show was not held in 1942 due to World War II.

1945: Cancellation due to World War II

The Sussex County Farm and Horse Show was not held in 1945 due to World War II.

1946: Return of the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show

In 1946, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show returned after being cancelled due to World War II.

1947: Expansion to a 4-day event

In 1947, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show was expanded to a 4-day event due to its continuing growth, with 10,000 paid admissions.

1950: Official recognition by American Horse Shows Association

In 1950, the horse events were officially recognized by the American Horse Shows Association.

1952: Rated Top Horse Show

In 1952, with an attendance of 20,000, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show was rated the top horse show in attendance and exhibitor interest.

1955: Admissions Reach 50,000

Despite closing one day early in 1955 due to Hurricane Connie, admissions to the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show reached the 50,000 mark for the first time.

1955: New Record Pull

In 1955, Bill and Rock, owned by Harold Daniels of Newark Valley, New York, pulled 10,695 pounds at the horse show, breaking the heavy-weight record.

1955: Hurricane Connie Strikes

In 1955, Hurricane Connie hit New Jersey hard just as the Fair was underway, flooding the Branchville fairgrounds and necessitating a rescue of the Fair's animals. The Fair had to be closed one day early, resulting in a monetary loss.

1958: Named "honor show" by American Horse Shows Association

In 1958, the horse show at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show was named an “honor show” by the American Horse Shows Association.

1960: Horse Show Growth

By 1960, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show's horse show had 1500 entries and a complete junior division, attracting the best horse talent in the country.

1963: Purchase of Augusta Property

In 1963, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show formed a committee to locate property for a new fairground, eventually purchasing a farm in Augusta, New Jersey.

1963: Expansion to Six Days and Nights

In 1963, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show increased the number of rings to three and expanded to a six-day and night event.

1965: Increased Attendance

By 1965, the number of entries in the horse show increased to 2400 and attendance exceeded 65,000 at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.

1972: Construction Begins at New Grounds

Around 1972, construction began at the new grounds of the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, starting with the creation of a pond and access roads.

1976: Move to New Location in Augusta

In 1976, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show moved to its new location in Augusta, known as the Sussex County Fairgrounds.

1999: Purchase of New Jersey State Fair Trademark

In 1999, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show purchased the trademark for the New Jersey State Fair, and renamed itself the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.