The daughters of three trainers were named 2015 recipients of $2,500 scholarships from the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
The honourees are Caitlin McDermott of Allentown, New Jersey, daughter of Kevin and Sheri McDermott; Leah Mazer-Posner of Jackson, New Jersey, daughter of Colleen and Mike Posner; and Stephanie Lauer of Highstown, New Jersey, daughter of Bruce and Marie Lauer.
Caitlin McDermott, 20, is preparing to combine her “knowledge of horses and human therapeutic techniques into an amazing career.” McDermott expects to graduate from Florida Southern College in May of 2016 with a degree in biological sciences and athletic training. She was the recipient of an SBOANJ scholarship in 2012 and was a past Standardbred Equestrian of the Year.
Posner “always knew I wanted to have a career that involved horses” and now has the goal to be an equine surgeon. The 18-year-old competitively shows horses and volunteers to foster rescue dogs. She is enrolled in Ocean County Community College where she took two courses while a senior in high school this past spring.
Lauer, a four-year honour roll student in high school, spent her freshman year at Radford University and transferred to the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in 2014. She is a competitive swimmer and owns a standardbred who raced in her father’s stable and is now retired as her riding horse. “I am majoring in special education,” Lauer said. “I plan on continuing my dream with a riding facility.” She hopes to use standardbreds to teach riding “to mentally and physically challenged people...and work with wounded soldiers.”
McDermott, Posner and Lauer will be presented with their scholarship cheques and plaques in The Meadowlands winner’s circle on July 25, the night of the Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic and the Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey.
(SBOANJ)