Your Maryland Horse Adventure Awaits

The 2022 Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs will run on September 24th! The Legacy Chase is a family fun-filled day of steeplechase racing, picnicking, tailgating, or get your own tent to entertain friends or clients. Race Day Schedule 10:00 am - Gates Open 12:30 pm - 1st race The Les Grimes Stick Pony Race is at 12 Noon and sign-up is at 11am – bring your own stick pony! 6:00 pm - Gates Close Parking tickets will go on sale in July 2022. LEARN MORE →

The storied tradition of Eventing at iconic Fair Hill continues with the Maryland 5 Star to be held annually in October at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland (Cecil County). One of only two 5 Star events in the United States, and seventh worldwide, the prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*) designation is the pinnacle of the sport of Eventing, best described as an equestrian triathlon. The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill marks a new chapter for the State of Maryland’s rich horse and equestrian tradition. The event showcases four days of competition in Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping.

The 37th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will take place Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Laurel Park. Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is designed to promote Maryland stallions, whose offspring compete in the races with purses and awards of over $1 million each year. Heading into the new year, Maryland stallion farms are gearing up for the 2022 breeding season and looking forward to the success of the resulting foals, the future stars of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day in 2025 and beyond. “We as an industry have been through a lot but we also have a lot to look forward to. Maryland has continuously worked to bring a new wave of quality stallions into the state and that effort would not be possible without the breeders and horsemen who support them,” said Louis Merryman, president of Maryland Million Ltd. and owner of Anchor & Hope Farm in Port Deposit, Md. “Maryland Million day serves as a showcase for our farms and the horsemen that work so hard.” The 2021 running of Maryland’s Day at the Races marked a return to relative normalcy, after the previous year’s event was run under COVID-19 restrictions, which limited spectator attendance. Enthusiastic participation by horsemen resulted in full fields and a handle figure over $6.5 million, as the always popular Maryland Million Hospitality Village was full and sponsor participation made an impressive rebound from 2020. “We are looking forward to an even better event in 2022, with more fans and more fun” said Cricket Goodall, executive director, “And we are proud that Jim McKay Maryland Million Day caps off Maryland Horse Month in October that celebrates all of the diverse horse activities we have here.” Gates Open 10:00 am -- First post 11:30 am LEARN MORE→

Vacation with your horse in Western Maryland at Valley Meadow Farms Trails Getaway and Bed & Barn. Smooth and wide trails on 400 private acres near Hancock, MD. Comfy 4 bedroom farmhouse stay and 2 large stall barn with fenced paddock or self-contained RV parking possible. And, bring your own horse (BYOH) day ride visits scheduled all year. Voted “favorite horsey spot” by guests. Ride hilltops and valleys, cross creeks and meadows. Diverse terrain for all levels of trail riding. Open year-round for scheduled visits to this beautiful, working family farm.  Easy to get to but worlds away. Life is peaceful at this farm. 2 hours from Baltimore and DC areas near I-68 at Sideling Hill. Visit www.valleymeadowfarms.com or call 301-678-6584 to make reservations. Facebook: @valleymeadowfarms | Instagram: valleymeadowfarms | Youtube: My Valley Meadow Farms [embed]https://youtu.be/CEOHtN_HR7c[/embed] [embed]https://youtu.be/ATN51Dw8O9E[/embed]

Amplify Horse Racing is your guide to education and careers in the Thoroughbred industry – an all-encompassing term referring to the breeding, raising, training, racing, retirement, and responsible aftercare of Thoroughbred horses. Have a look into the amazing world of Thoroughbred racing. It is not just a sport of kings – it is a sport for everyone. Head to AmplifyHorseRacing.org to learn more.  Horse Racing Hangouts Series: 2020 and 2021 - Amplify Horse Racing Podcast

The self-guided “Horses At The Beach” driving tour, which takes place in Worcester and the southern part of Wicomico counties. The trail takes visitors from the Assateague National Seashore Park, home of Maryland’s famed “Wild Horses,” the Assateague Ponies, to Glen Riddle Farm, now a popular eatery that was once the training grounds of Thoroughbred horse racing legends Man O’War and War Admiral. Learn More→

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 →  

Five college students will explore careers in the Thoroughbred industry June 6-10 The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) is pleased to announce the participants for the 5th edition of the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program. The competitive group of applicants ranged in age from high school seniors to college graduates and hailed from a diverse group of schools. The participants are: Ashlin Dohler - Port Deposit, MD Molly Hutchison - Silver Spring, MD Kendal Stokes - Horse Shoe, NC Liz Ridenour - Catonsville, MD Marina Rohbeck - Morgantown, WV View their full bios here. “The quality group of applicants from schools across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions is a testament to how unique and valuable the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program (MTCP) is,” said Jordyn Egan, Director of Development for the MHF. “What makes the MTCP different is the support from the entire Maryland horse industry and enthusiastic participation from its leaders. We are excited to welcome this new group to Maryland in June and watch their progress in the future.” Previous Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program participants have gone on to other educational opportunities such as the Kentucky Equine Management Internship, an internship with 1/ST Racing and the Ed Brown Society, and the Maryland Horse Foundation’s Work Experience Program. Others are working in a variety of industry positions including sales administration, farm and broodmare management, communications, and higher education. Graduates of the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program are eligible for Career Development Funds, a one-time scholarship to support their post-MTCP career pursuits. To date, the Maryland Horse Foundation has paid out nearly $30,000 in Career Development Funds to cover a variety of expenses. Follow along with the 2022 Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program participants June 6-10 on the Maryland Horse Foundation’s Facebook page. Contact: Jordyn Egan jordyn@marylandthoroughbred.com

Record $40,000 Awarded to 36 Equestrian Organizations ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 11, 2022) —The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) has announced the awarding of a record $40,000 in grants to 36 organizations and equestrian operations representing a variety of equine groups and disciplines across the state. This year’s recipients included funds for equine education and welfare projects, trail riding activities, youth programs, therapeutic riding centers and other equestrian activities. “We are delighted that we were able to increase the amount of grant funding this year; it’s a record amount and reflects how well our programs have held up even during the pandemic,” said MHIB board chair Jim Steele. Funding for these grants and the MHIB is provided by the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in the state. Since the fund was established in 2002, the MHIB has awarded over $600,000 in grants to more than 400 projects. A full list of recipients, including a synopsis of each project, is available on the MHIB’s website mda.maryland.gov/horseboard. “Horses are a critical component of Maryland’s agricultural industry. MHIB and the Feed Fund help stimulate growth and opportunity in Maryland’s equestrian community without utilizing state funding,” Steele said. “This self-funded commodity marketing entity is a model of how industry groups can help themselves.” Projects are evaluated based on their value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, size and scope of activity, financial need, potential for matching funds, benefits and overall quality of the written presentation. To award funds to as many groups as possible, grants are capped at $3,000. Eligible projects should have a completion date no later than June 30, 2022. All grant recipients will be required to file a project report with the MHIB detailing how the money was used. The MHIB was established in 1998 to promote and develop the equine industry in Maryland. For more information about the grants program and the MHIB, please visit our website or contact Executive Director Ross Peddicord at (240) 344-0000 or ross.peddicord@maryland.gov. # # # Follow the Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept

The Maryland Horse Library and Education Center was designated by the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) as the Educational and Cultural Center of the Maryland Horse Park System. The new, multi-faceted facility will honor the history and importance of Maryland’s horse industry.  “Maryland is home to over 100,000 horses, more horses per square mile than any other state,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “With over 40 equine disciplines practiced right here in Maryland and premiere horse events held year-round, our state’s equestrian industry is world-renowned. This center will teach Marylanders and visitors from around the world about the remarkable contributions of our horse industry.” Construction of the 4,500-square-foot center is expected to begin in September and will be open to the public by spring 2022. The center will be located in the Maryland Horse Breeders Association’s (MHBA’s) building in historic Reisterstown, centrally located close to Pimlico Race Course, Sagamore Farm, and other popular equine destinations. Once completed, the facility will house over 1,000 equestrian books, a memorabilia area, versatile meeting rooms, a media center, interactive kiosks and rotating exhibits. “This one-of-a-kind facility in Maryland will serve as a central learning and research hub for horse sports in the state,” said MHIB Chair Jim Steele. “It is our intention for the center to educate the public about the breadth of Maryland’s horse industry and to motivate them to get involved. I want to thank all of the individuals who have been involved in making the center a reality, it is your hardwork and dedication that has made this all possible.”  As part of the state’s efforts to enhance and increase interest in the Maryland horse industry, the MHIB established the Maryland Horse Park System. The Maryland Horse Park System is made up of three venues: an outdoor and field equestrian competition facility; an indoor competition and exhibition arena; and an educational and cultural center. To identify these three locations, the MHIB and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) commissioned the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) to perform a study in 2011.  Upon the conclusion of the study and improvements made to each facility, the Fair Hill Special Events Zone in Elkton was designated the outdoor and field equestrian competition venue and the Prince George’s Equestrian Center was named the indoor competition and exhibition arena.  Additionally, the study found a need for an educational and cultural center. To fill this need, the Maryland Horse Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the MHBA, started planning and fundraising for the construction of the center. The foundation is responsible for the center’s development and maintenance.  “The goals of the center align perfectly with the Maryland Horse Park System’s overall mission to promote and increase interest in the state’s horse industry,” said MHBA Executive Director Cricket Goodall. “We are thrilled to be designated as part of the Maryland Horse Park System and are excited to showcase the legacy of Maryland’s iconic equine sector.”  For more information about the Maryland Horse Park System, please contact MHIB’s Executive Director Ross Peddicord at (240) 344-0000 or ross.peddicord@maryland.gov. For additional details about the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center, please contact MHBA’s Executive Director Crickett Goodall at (410) 252-2100 or cricket@marylandthoroughbred.com.