Your Maryland Horse Adventure Awaits

Save the date! The 38th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will take place Saturday, October 14, 2023. Visit Laurel Park for "Maryland's Day at the Races" to experience live racing with Maryland bred and sired horses competing for over $1 million in purses and awards. With a variety of on-track entertainment between races and 'Ponies in the Paddock' children's area, there's something for the whole family to enjoy! LEARN MORE→

The Horse Industry Reception returned to Annapolis in February of 2023, where equine professionals and enthusiasts joined together to educate and engage elected officials on the benefits of Maryland's Horse Industry. View our full report of the event.

Looking for custom branded Maryland Horse apparel and gear? Shop the Maryland Horse Breeders Association's online Lands' End Business store! With a wide variety of products ranging from clothing to wireless speakers, there's something for everyone. SHOP NOW→

PRESENTED BY The 2024 Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program will run in early June - dates to be announced! APPLICATIONS REOPEN JANUARY 2024 Launched in 2017, the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program is an educational program within the new Howard & Sondra Bender Educational Series that aims to: Increase awareness of the diverse career options in the Thoroughbred industry Give participants access to leaders of the Maryland Thoroughbred community Highlight various paths for pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry Address a critical need to attract and retain experienced and devoted employees Over the course of a week, participants are encouraged to fully engage in the Maryland Thoroughbred industry and explore a multitude of career options. Graduates of the MTCP are eligible to apply for Career Development Funds, one-time funding that can be used to further career pursuits within two years after the program ends. Interested? Contact bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com with questions.   Learn more about the MTCP: MTCP FAQ's Sample Schedule Graduate Testimonials Participant Bios  Graduates Gallery   [gallery size="large" link="none" ids="3936,3935,3933,3939,3940,3941,3942,3946,3947,3944,689,690,691,687,688,692,696,698,699,700,701,702,703,704,705,706,707,709,711,712,713,714,715,716,717,718,719,720,723,724" orderby="rand"]  

Western Maryland, Capital Region, Central Maryland, Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland These centers are part of a volunteer, certified program of already existing licensed stables that welcome the general public of all ages and experience levels to learn  about horses in a knowledgeable and friendly environment. Learn More →  

(Reisterstown, MD - July 25, 2023) As the third installment of the newly-launched Howard & Sondra Bender Educational Series, a partnership with University of Maryland Extension, the Maryland Horse Foundation will be hosting a seminar on equine sports turfgrass management August 30th at the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center. The event will feature Equine Sports Turfgrass Alliance members Logan Freeman and Geoffrey Rinehart as speakers. Geoffrey Rinehart (University of Maryland Turfgrass Management) will speak about the five primary cultural practices of turfgrass (mowing, fertilizing, irrigation, cultivation, and pest management) as they pertain to equestrian surfaces. Species and variety selection will also be covered. Logan Freeman, Senior Sports Turf Consultant for the Maryland Jockey Club, will speak about how he utilizes the five primary cultural practices within the turfgrass track maintenance programs at both Laurel Park and Pimlico and the new science-based tools being implemented to help in the process. Following the presentations there will be open discussion about turfgrass management in equine sports. The event will be held at 5:30pm on August 30th. A live video link is available upon request. Attendance is free. Visit www.MarylandHorse.com/Turfgrass to learn more and register. For more information, contact Becky Remsberg at bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com or 410-252-2100. About the Howard & Sondra Bender Educational Series The Howard & Sondra Bender Educational Series is the newest addition to the slate of existing educational programs produced by the Maryland Horse Foundation. The series, hosted at the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center, utilizes the facility’s resources to offer an educational series of in-person gatherings covering a wide range of topics for people involved in and/or interested in learning more about the Maryland horse and/or agricultural industries. These sessions are recorded and available for public viewing as an on-demand resource. The Maryland Horse Foundation has partnered with University of Maryland Extension to deliver a set of 4 seminars over the course of 2023, following a general theme of sustainability. About the Equine Sports Turfgrass Alliance The Equine Sports Turfgrass Alliance, (ESTA) is a recently formed group of university and industry turfgrass experts. ESTA as an organization is dedicated to conducting research and providing education about turfgrass surfaces for racetrack, eventing, polo and other-use equine surfaces. ESTA looks to take advantage of any educational opportunities available to communicate with horse owners, trainers and equine facility managers in order to provide information on how to better manage turfgrass systems. It is the goal of ESTA to bring science-backed maintenance practices to the forefront of equine turfgrass management.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Washington, D.C. -- March 30, 2023) The last three years have been a time of great change throughout the country for homes, businesses and industries. Rising costs of living, shrinking of assistance and changes in demographics have affected so much of our world, and that includes the equine industry. However, not all of the changes are easy to identify. Which is why the American Horse Council (AHC) is kicking off what could be one of the biggest studies in its more than 50 years with the 2023 National Economic Impact Study. Major economic changes have occurred during the past five years. Not only have business closures and resulting federal stimulus programs related to the pandemic made a major impact, but the horse industry has adapted to historic changes made to the tax code since 2017. An economic impact study examines the effect of an event or industry has on the economy and usually measures changes in business revenue, business profits, personal wages, and/or jobs. As a large, economically diverse industry, the United States horse industry contributes significantly to the American economy. The purpose of the census is to demonstrate the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies by analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of horse ownership, recreation, and equine-related services. Over the course of its 50-plus year history, the AHC has conducted numerous national economic impact studies for the U.S. horse industry, which has included such pivotal years as 1987, 1997, 2007 and, the most recent study, 2017. “The challenges of the last few years with the pandemic and its economic impacts on all aspects of our industry make the 2023 study all that more important and necessary,” states Dr. Rick Mitchell, Chairman of the AHC Board. Data collected will inform public and private investments in equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, tax policy, tourism, employment incentives, etc. The survey begins April 3 and goes through September 29. New this year are sponsored incentives for individuals and groups who participate in the survey, including a John Deere Z545R ZTrak Mower valued at $7500, one year of Nutrena feed for one horse (a $2,000 value); one year of Purina feed for one horse (a $500 value/horse); gift certificates from Trafalgar Square Books (total value $180); enrollment in Texas A&M AgriLife Equine Reproductive Management Online Course valued at $300/enrollment; plus more. "The Economic Impact Study is the most effective tool in our advocacy quiver,” says Julie Broadway, president of the AHC. “When the industry needs to take aim at an issue, this data is invaluable in helping us paint the picture of the contributions the industry makes and the breath & depth of its composition." More information and the 2023 Economic Impact Study can be found on the AHC website: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/ If you have questions, contact American Horse Council President Julie Broadway at jbroadway@horsecouncil.org About the American Horse Council As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities.