CU at The Mane Event: Centenary's Second Annual Mane Event

The Mane Event returned to the Centenary University Equestrian Center for its second year on Saturday, Sept. 12, bringing together Centenary students and families, community members, equestrians, and horse enthusiasts for a day centered around horses, education, competition, and community.

The event transformed the Equine Center into a carnival for a day, with activities for visitors of all ages. Attendees could watch live equine demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities, shop with vendors, play carnival games, and enjoy different types of food.

The Mane Event is more than an equine expo and family fun day—the event is also a fundraiser designed to benefit Centenary’s horses and Equine Studies Program. This year, proceeds go to supporting renovations to the Equine Centers pastures—the outdoor fenced in areas where the horses spend their days.

A Day Dedicated to the Horse

Horses remained at the center of The Mane Event, with educational lectures and demonstrations giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about the equine industry and the work that goes into caring for a large herd of horses like Centenary’s.

Throughout the day, visitors could observe several different demonstrations that highlighted different areas of equine care, such as massage and bodywork, nutrition and feeding, and hoof care. Many of these demonstrations were led by Centenary’s very own professors. 

The event and demonstrations offered a chance for Centenary students and staff to showcase their education and knowledge outside of the classroom.

Among this year’s new attractions were live question-and-answer panels, giving visitors another opportunity to learn directly from people involved in the equine industry. A visit from the New Jersey State Police’s Mounted Unit also gave attendees the opportunity to see another career in the equine industry.

The demonstrations and educational activities helped make the event about more than simply watching horses. Visitors could learn about different careers, areas of horse care, and the many ways horses are connected to people’s lives.

Something for Everyone

Although horses were the focus, The Mane Event was designed to give attendees of all ages and interests something to enjoy. 

The event featured carnival games, a dunk tank, equine bingo, shopping, and food trucks. Vendors offered a variety of equestrian and handmade products, attendees opportunities to support businesses, and organizations connected to the horse community.

For Centenary students, the event also offered an opportunity to see the Equine Center from a different perspective. Instead of simply attending classes or riding at the facility, students could help welcome visitors and show others what makes the Equine Center such an important part of the university.

Fun With a Purpose

While The Mane Event offered plenty of entertainment, fundraising remained an important part of the day. Guests could try their luck at the Tricky Tray, which featured donated baskets and prizes, or take part in the 50/50 raffle. Both gave visitors a chance to have fun, win prizes, and support the Equine Center.

The fundraiser also continues the success of the first Mane Event. Last year’s inaugural event brought approximately 400 guests to the Equine Center and raised $37,000 toward the purchase of a shockwave therapy machine, a veterinary device used to support the health and well-being of the university’s horses.

This year’s fundraiser builds on that success while supporting a different need within the Equine Center.

The Impact

The second annual Mane Event was bigger than its first year, bringing even more people to the Equine Center to experience the event and support Centenary’s horses.

The growth of the event could also be seen throughout the day, with more people taking part in the educational lectures and activities. More vendors joined the event, while many returning vendors and activities from last year gave visitors familiar favorites alongside new attractions.

For the students who volunteered at the event, The Mane Event offered a chance to experience the Equine Center from a different perspective. One student volunteer described it as “a wonderful experience to see behind the scenes of such an impressive event,” adding that “meeting all of the people that came to support our equine department was a wonderful experience.”

For Centenary students, it was an opportunity to share their equine community with the public. For families and visitors, it was a chance to learn about horses and experience activities they might not normally encounter. And for the Equine Center, the fundraiser provided financial support for improvements that will benefit the university’s herd.

Looking Ahead

The second annual Mane Event brought together the many different sides of the Centenary equestrian community, from horses and students to families, volunteers, vendors, and local visitors.

What began as a fundraiser has continued to grow into an opportunity for the Equine Center to open its doors, share its horses and programs with the community, and support the continued care of the herd.

As The Mane Event continues to grow, its purpose remains tied to the horses at the heart of Centenary’s equestrian programs: bringing people together while helping provide the resources those horses need for years to come.