Kentucky? Texas? Montana? Wyoming? Colorado?

How about my birth and childhood home state, New Jersey? Hard to believe? It's horse country - ya just gotta know where to look and you'll find them. And then, they seem all over the place.

Ever hear of the United States Equestrian Team's training center at Hamilton Farm, Gladstone, NJ? Check it out:

https://www.uset.org/historical-hamilton-farm/

I use to board my mare at Bergen County Equestrian Center in Overpeck County Park, Bergen County, NJ. . .a short distance from the Hudson River, The GW Bridge, and the Big Apple itself. (A bit of trivia - right up the road, within walking distance, in Leonia, lived Alan Alda, his wife Arlene, and their daughters.)

I now live upstate NY. Many people instantly think of New York City when they hear "New York".

Did you know that the Trotter's Hall of Fame is located downstate in Goshen, Orange County, NY? They still race and qualify there. I toured there - very historic and fun.

The track, known as the "Cradle of the Trotter," is the world's oldest continuously operated horse racing track and hosts events during the summer season.

My hobby farm was located not too far from there.

https://harnessmuseum.com/

And of course, there's the track at Saratoga Springs, where the famed Triple Crown winner Secretariat raced. And they have a Thoroughbred Hall of Fame there too - of course, I visited.

Yes - this is horse country. I love it!!!!

And of course, NJ has its dark side too - don't forget the Jersey Devil lives in the Pine Barrens, AKA the Leeds Devil.

I've been to the Barrens a number of times - kinda boring. . . flat sandy land with pines all looking alike after a while, and pine needles everywhere. Easy to get lost there. Didn't run into the Devil though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Devil

And the Pine Barrens has its ghost towns too. Ghost towns? In New Jersey? Yup - the America West isn't the only place you'll find them.

We even have them in NY state: check out Doodletown. Yes, that was its name. (But its more like ruined foundations, roads, cemeteries, etc.)

https://hvparent.com/doodletown