The Equine Science Centre at Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey, has named Antoinette Nigito, the owner of Joie De Vie Farm, as the 2010 recipient of the Centre’s

Spirit of the Horse Award.

Nigito will receive the award during the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s 53rd annual New Jersey Breeders Award ceremony on Sunday, January 31, 2010.

Sandy Denarski, the 2006 inaugural recipient and chair of the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement, and centre director Karyn Malinowski will present the award.

The Spirit of the Horse Award recognizes individuals whose lives have been profoundly changed because of their involvement with horses and who have acknowledged the impact by giving back to the horse industry.

“Mrs. Nigito is the perfect person to receive this award because of her uncompromising dedication to the well-being of horses and maintaining integrity in both equine sports and the overall equine industry,” said Malinowski, director of the Equine Science Centre.

Nigito is the owner of Nigito Realty Company in River Edge and of Joie de Vie Farm, a large standardbred breeding operation in Jobstown, both in New Jersey. She is also one of four owners of the Red Mile Racetrack in Lexington, KY.

“The horse is my life,” she said. “I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure the vitality of the horse industry in New Jersey and make sure that there is a voice advocating for this majestic animal.”

Her charitable and volunteer work includes the donation of winnings from her trotter Mr. Chin in 1991 to build a church for the Divine Word Missionaries in Indonesia; serving on the boards of the Weiner and Yarock Foundation and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, and supporting the Rutgers Equine Science Centre.

Upon learning she will receive the Spirit of the Horse Award, Nigito said she felt honoured, humbled and proud.

“It’s overwhelming,” she said. “My heart is overwhelmed with joy. Caring for horses has been a life-long passion for me and I firmly believe that the Equine Science Centre’s vision not only matches my passion but possesses the resources to ensure that the equine industry remains a vital factor toward the quality of life in New Jersey.”

For more information about the Spirit of the Horse Award, contact the Equine Science Centre at esc.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-9419. For information on the New Jersey Breeder’s Award ceremony contact Debra Moscatiello at 609-984-4389.

(Equine Science Center At Rutgers)