Malinowski a workhorse on
behalf of the state animal

 

BY NANCY JAFFER

 

Back in the days when they belonged to Somerset County's Boots & Saddles 4-H club, Jane Gilbert and her riding buddies had an inkling that little Karyn Malinowski, a "pistol with glasses and pigtails," might do something important in the horse world.
 

"For her age, she was sure of what she said to us, and we were all older than she was. She didn't give up. She wanted to be the best," said Gilbert, now president of the New Jersey Horse Council, last week during a reception for Malinowski as she received the Rutgers New Brunswick graduate school's Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 4-H, Gilbert said, "We learned a lot about how we were going to handle the future. We had great leaders, we learned about taking care of horses, about friendships and people and how to keep records."

All that paid off for Malinowski, 53, who earned a doctorate in zoology, has done landmark research on the aging process in horses and serves as director of both the Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Equine Science Center. In addition, she was a successful show ring rider who became a harness racing driver qualified to compete in parimutuel races.

Growing up in Manville, which is still her home, Malinowksi's introduction to horses came when her father, Leonard, took her for 25-cent pony rides at a little place on Route 22 in Somerville. She got her first mount, a $500 auction acquisition, when she told her dad she was going on a date and he suddenly decided she needed another interest. Malinowski rode with Barbara Bemelmens and John Marciano at Hunt Cap Farms in Three Bridges, where she eventually would meet her boyfriend, show announcer Tommy Mannos.

Her talents and interest dovetailed when she was named the equine extension specialist at Rutgers, the first woman in the U.S. to hold such a post. It turned out to be only the first rung on a career ladder that has always put the horse first. A diligent fundraiser who is a proponent of expanding equine science programs and research at Rutgers, she is an energetic advocate for causes that will benefit horses, their breeders, owners and open space, as she champions an industry facing great odds in the most densely populated state in the union. And for years, her schedule was so jammed that her personal involvement with horses was sacrificed.
 

"I had no personal agenda. I just loved horses and wanted the horse industry to be visible, recognized and given the attention due to it. That's what drove me every day," said Malinowski. "I needed to get people engaged and thinking about the importance of horses in New Jersey."

The result?

"We are so far ahead of the curve of the rest of our sister institutions nationally because of the vision we had that horses deserve attention at a land grant university," she observed proudly.

"A land grand university is supposed to serve the people of New Jersey. Don't ever forget your grass roots and the fact that we are in existence to deliver science-based information to the people of New Jersey, so someone out there can use it. If it sits on a shelf for 50 years, it's not of any value to the residents of New Jersey."

Gilbert noted Malinowski's rapport with legislators also is a boon for the industry.

"She's everywhere. She doesn't let us forget that the horse is the state animal," Gilbert said.

"She says she's just doing her job, but she's doing it harder and better than anyone else could imagine doing it. She transmits her enthusiasm to everyone who comes near her," said David Meirs, a veterinarian who formerly headed the state equine practitioners' association.

Malinowksi recently has written "A Delicate Balance: The Future of Horse Racing and the Preservation of the Equine Industry, Agriculture and Open Space in the Garden State." That paper, the title of which sums up her take on the industry in New Jersey, is featured in a new book, "The State of the Garden State".

With everything she does, Malinowski still gives priority to teaching.

"She's the most positive person I ever worked with," said one of Malinowski's former students, Loree Flora, a Berkeley Heights veterinarian.

She called Malinowski "one of the driving forces" behind her decision to go to vet school.

"She's a great role model," Flora said.

Those wishing to make donations in Malinowksi's honor may contribute to the Equine Science Center, 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, N.J. 08901-8554.

 

ON THE RAIL

 

The Jersey Fresh event May 31-June 3 at the Horse Park of New Jersey will include not only the usual 2- and 3-star rated competitions, but also an advanced horse trials section that is the final outing for the U.S. eventing squad that will be going to the Pan American Games in Brazil this summer.

 

For more information, call (609) 259-0170 or go to www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.

Activities Schedule

Today: All Seasons Show, Duncraven, 1300 Trenton-Harbourton Rd., Titusville (through Tuesday); ESDCTA 2007 Dressage Test Review, U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Library, Pottersville Road, Gladstone (2 p.m.)

Saturday: Winter Show Circuit, Duncraven 1300 Trenton-Harbourton Rd., Titusville (through next Sunday); Snowbird Acres Show, Schooley's Mountain, Long Valley.

Next Sunday: CJL Farm Show, Congress Hill Farm, 118 Federal Rd., Monroe.

 

 

Nancy Jaffer may be reached at nancyjaffer@compuserve.com.