Your Maryland Horse Adventure Awaits

Join the Maryland Horse Industry as we share with leaders in Annapolis our love of Maryland’s horses and the importance of horses in Maryland. Open Bar & Hors D ’Oeuvres at the Calvert House Business Casual RSVP and details to follow Questions: bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com

Witness the 126th running of 'Maryland's Timber Tradition' on April 29, 2023! Gates open at 11am, post time 4pm. Visit the official site for specific parking directions. LEARN MORE→

The 148th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) returns to historic Pimlico Race Course Saturday, May 20, 2023! Don't miss your chance to watch the second jewel of the world-famous Triple Crown live. With live racing, infield entertainment, and a variety of premium hospitality options, guests will enjoy an experience like no other at this year's Preakness. LEARN MORE→

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→

  The 2023 Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program will run June 5-9! APPLICATIONS CLOSE APRIL 21 Click HERE to apply. Launched in 2017, the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program is an educational program presented by the Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) 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="724,723,722,720,719,718,717,716,715,714,713,712,711,710,709,708,707,706,705,704,703,702,701,700,699,698,696,694,693,692,688,687,691,690,689,686,685"]  

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 →  

(Reisterstown, Md) - January 9, 2023. The Maryland Horse Foundation is excited to announce that the 2023 Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program (MTCP) will run from June 5-9, 2023. The online application is now open and must be completed by April 21, 2023. Interviews will take place in the two weeks after the application deadline and selected participants will be notified in early May. “The Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program offers a great opportunity to see behind the scenes in the various components of the industry from reproduction to racetrack operations”, says Cricket Goodall, executive director, “we hope show these young people that love horses that you can make a career out of that passion.” Learn more about the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program HERE. Interested individuals are encouraged to email Becky Remsberg – bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com – with questions.   About the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program Launched in 2017, the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program is an educational program presented by the Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) 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. About the Maryland Horse Foundation The Maryland Horse Foundation was chartered in 1988 by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association to serve various educational and charitable needs of the Maryland horse industry. The MHF has developed and supports several educational programs and is responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center. In addition to our programs and projects, we are proud to work directly with several industry partners to promote the entire Maryland Horse industry.

Reisterstown, MD - (January 5, 2023) - Save the date! The 38th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will take place Saturday, October 14, 2023, 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 2023 breeding season and looking forward to the success of the resulting foals, the future stars of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day in 2026 and beyond. “Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, now known as Maryland’s Day at the Races, is truly a fun day at the races,” says Cricket Goodall, executive director, “the races are competitive and there are great stories behind every winner.  And the on-track entertainment like pony racing and horses and hounds adds to the appeal for families and new fans to come out.” The 2022 edition saw eleven Maryland-bred and twelve Maryland-sired winners, including Classic winner Ournationonparade (Cal Nation), who became the second horse in history to win both the Nursery and the Classic in their career. The day also saw Murmur Farm stallion Blofeld sweep both juvenile races, as Chickieness took the Lassie and Johnyz From Albany prevailed in the Nursery. Fille d'Esprit (Great Notion) added to an impressive 2022 resume with her win in the Distaff, one of five stakes wins on the year for the mare. Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, modeled on Breeders’ Cup and designed to spotlight the stallions,  was first run in 1986 at Laurel Park.  The day of racing celebrates the Maryland breeding and racing industry which along with various equine activities in the State has an economic impact of nearly $2 Billion. Contact Information: Cricket Goodall, Executive Director cricket@marylandthoroughbred.com (410) 252.2100 ext. 111 www.MarylandMillion.com

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 30, 2022)—Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed October as Maryland Horse Month, recognizing the abundant economic, historic, recreational, and therapeutic contributions made by the state’s horse industry. “As the only state to host both a Triple Crown Race and two international 5-Star events, Maryland is proud to be a leader in the horse industry,” said Governor Hogan. “With more horses per square mile than any other state, the equine community is a critical part of our heritage and our economy. I encourage all Marylanders to join in celebrating Maryland Horse Month.” The proclamation follows a very successful trade mission that the Governor and equine industry officials made to Ireland and France in June, where agreements were signed with equestrian organizations recognizing the international stature of Maryland’s horse industry and offering beneficial cooperative strategies. A special feature this year is the Grand Opening in mid October of the new Maryland Horse Library and Education Center on Historic Main Street in Reisterstown, The center serves as an information hub for the industry and includes a fine collection of sporting books, a memorabilia area, meeting space, interactive kiosks and rotating exhibits. In celebration of Maryland Horse Month, the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) and its industry partners are conducting a digital marketing strategy to highlight the many statewide attractions, events, activities, trails, exhibits, and experiences with an equestrian connection. These events include the Maryland 5-Star at Fair Hill, a major international equestrian event that will draw competitors from across the U.S. and abroad. The Maryland 5-Star Event takes place Oct. 13-16 at Fair Hill International in Elkton. Other major Maryland horse events include the Capital Challenge Horse Show, one of the largest horse shows in the country with nearly 1,400 entries, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro Sept. 29-Oct. 9; the Jim McKay Maryland Million horse race at Laurel Park Racetrack in Laurel Oct.22; and the Washington International Horse Show, also at Prince George’s Equestrian Center Oct. 24-30. In between these major events are championship finals in jousting – the official state sport since 1962 – rodeo and hunter/jumper disciplines, as well as All Breed exhibitions, carriage driving displays and numerous events hosted by the state’s 42 Horse Discovery Centers, individual farm owners and equine organizations. “Never before has Maryland hosted so many international caliber equestrian events in such a short time frame,” said Ross Peddicord, executive director of MHIB. “Maryland Horse Month is a great way to showcase our state’s equine industry.” The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism has joined the Horse Industry Board and the Board’s many private-sector equestrian organizations to promote Maryland Horse Month. “Maryland is home to world-class destinations such as Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park among major equestrian events that draw thousands of visitors to the state,” said Liz Fitzsimmons, Managing Director of the Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism and Film. “Drive along the Horses & Hounds Scenic Byway to explore our beautiful countryside also famous for producing Thoroughbreds that have raced on major tracks across America.” Follow Maryland Horse Month on social media and use #MDHorse, #MDHorseMonth, #VisitMaryland, and #MDinFocus when posting about your tour of Maryland’s Equestrian Travel Collection. For the individual events, add #Maryland5Star, #Makeit5Star, #CapitalChallenge, #MDMillion and #WIHS2022 #FEIWorldCup #TimeTo Beat. For additional travel information, please visit marylandhorse.com and visitmaryland.org. To view a copy of the Maryland Horse Month proclamation, please click here. About the Maryland Horse Industry Board The Maryland Horse industry Board (MHIB) is a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Established in 1998, the MHIB helps develop and promote the state’s horse industry. The MHIB also advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting the industry and serves as the licensing body for Maryland stables and horse facilities. About Maryland Tourism The Maryland Office of Tourism is an agency within the Maryland Department of Commerce. Visitors to the state spent $11.6 billion on travel-related expenses in 2020. The Maryland tourism industry also generated $1.7 billion in state and local taxes, essentially saving each Maryland household $775 in annual taxes, and directly supported Marylanders with 104,328 jobs. For more information, go to visitmaryland.org.