Monmouth Park Kid’s Club Creating New Fans

Monmouth Park Kid's Club members work on a craft project with jockeys and volunteers. (Photos courtesy of Lynn Buckley unless noted)
It’s never too early to get into horse racing. That was the guiding principle behind Lynn Buckley forming the Monmouth Park Kid’s Club.
Buckley, who grew up in an Irish family that loved racing, originally came up with an idea revolving around using arts and crafts to introduce kids to racing. She pitched it to Monmouth Park and to Dennis Drazin, an adviser to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and it stuck.
“The goal is to give parents and kids a memory to share,” Buckley said, “and maybe the kids will grow up to be interested in owning, training or riding.”
Kid’s Club activities are totally free and were held this year in June, July and August. Now in its third year at Monmouth, the Kid’s Club has continued to grow in popularity. This summer, each of the three Kid’s Club events at Monmouth Park drew 30 kids.
KIDS IN JOCKEY SILKS

Photo by Equi-Photo
In July, volunteers gave the kids who attended foam visors to decorate for the Haskell, while in August attendees had the opportunity to decorate model wooden horses. Both events gave the kids opportunities to have photos taken in jockey silks.
Other Kid’s Club activities have included pictures that the kids color, teaching them the names of a horse’s mane, fetlock, withers and other various parts of a horse.
The program also offers to take parents and kids into the walking ring where they get a close up look and explanation about things like tattoos and saddling. They then get to watch the race from the winner's circle.
“The kids love being so close to the race,” Buckley said. “We are all from New Jersey and love supporting Monmouth Park.”
KID'S CLUB ACTIVITIES

“I also want families to see the great place that is Monmouth Park. It has such a great history. Since this was our third year we are seeing families coming back, which is fantastic.”
In addition to Buckley, Joe Carey, the president of Thorofan’s Monmouth Park chapter, helps organize the events with several volunteers.
Buckley said the Kid’s Club could always use additional volunteers. If you’re interested, or if you’d like general information on the Kid’s Club, Buckley can be contacted by  email at mlynnbuckley@yahoo.com.