NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Rutgers Equine Science Center presented Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz with the 2025 Spirit of the Horse award for her steadfast commitment to the New Jersey equine industry. The award was presented to Dr. Butewicz during the Rutgers Equine Science Center’s 2024 “Evening of Science & Celebration,” sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center.
Co-Chairs of the Rutgers University Board For Equine Advancement and Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Founding Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center present Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz with the 2025 Spirit of the Horse award during the 2024 Evening of Science & Celebration. (Pictured Left to Right, Mr. Edward Wengryn, Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz, Dr. Karyn Malinowski, and Mr. John Godecke).
“I’ve known Amy since her time in the New Jersey 4-H program,” said Equine Science Center Founding Director, Dr. Karyn Malinowski. “I have had the distinct honor of watching her become one of New Jersey’s fiercest supporters of the equine industry and youth outreach and engagement.”
Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz is a lifelong New Jersey resident and equestrian who has immersed herself in many aspects of the equine industry. From an early age, Dr. Butewicz participated in the 4-H horse program on the local, state, and national levels garnering many accomplishments. Because of this, she was crowned the 2001 NJ State Equestrian of the Year for her strong leadership in the equine community.
In 2008, Dr. Butewicz graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy with a Doctorate Degree (PharmD) in Pharmacy, and was a member of Rho Chi, the national pharmacy honor society. Even though she continues to hold an active pharmacist license in the states of New Jersey and Kentucky; her deep connection to horses, agriculture, and open space in New Jersey led her to obtain her real estate license in 2015. She currently works as a full time Realtor for Keller Williams Princeton Real Estate, specializing in equestrian properties, farms and land across the entire state. Dr. Butewicz, and her sister Stacy, operate their real estate team under the Butewicz Equestrian Lifestyle Real Estate banner. To date, Butewicz Lifestyle Real Estate has proudly represented both buyers and sellers in over 135 farm sales totaling just over $100 million in sales volume.
Always giving back her time and efforts to organizations and charities, her volunteerism philanthropy, and leadership have been a tremendous focus for Dr. Butewicz. She is currently a Chair Emeritus for the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement, the advisory group to the Rutgers Equine Science Center, and had previously served as Co-Chair of the Board. A champion for open space and agriculture initiatives, she serves as a council member for Millstone Township (Monmouth County) on 2 separate councils: the Open Space Preservation Council and the Agricultural Advisory Council, serving currently as Chairperson. To foster the growth of future leaders, Dr. Butewicz created the NJ Agricultural Achievement Award Scholarship which is awarded annually.
Dr. Karyn Malinowski poses for a picture with the rest of the Butewicz family, after Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz received her award. (Pictured Left to Right, Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz, parents Joe and Elizabeth Butewicz, and sister Stacy Butewicz).
“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,” said Dr. Malinowski. “Amy’s commitment to the equine industry, and specifically her focus on youth education and support, makes her an exemplary role-model of what is needed to ensure a strong equine industry. Fostering the next generation of equine enthusiasts, competitors, and researchers is how the New Jersey equine industry will continue to be one of the strongest across the United States.”
In her spare time, Dr. Butewicz enjoys her equestrian pursuits through her riding endeavors as well as her connection to the harness racing industry as a licensed harness horse owner. One of her most memorable moments was in 2019 with her first ownership win with her trotter, Massive Talent, at Freehold Raceway. An avid harness racing fan, Amy currently owns racehorses as a sole owner as well as in partnerships. Her interest in harness racing grew with importing her first Australian racehorse, beloved pacing mare Corsini A.
Amy resides on her farm, Ambition Farm and Stable, in Millstone Township NJ which is home to her personal horses (Paint horse Frostys Marshall Boot, mule Bucky, retired Standardbred Ohio Vintage & now retired Standardbred Massive Talent) as well as racehorses boarded for turnout and layup.