Your Maryland Horse Adventure Awaits

Learn about Maryland's half-mile racetracks and the county fairs that featured them. Ellen Moyer, the former Mayor of Annapolis and past Maryland Racing Commission member, will talk about the history of Maryland’s half-mile tracks and the races and fairs. Her talk will be supported by a history exhibit as well as track film taken at Bel Air Racetrack, which operated in Harford County from 1937 through 1961.

Paul K. Halloran will talk about his book Cody's Wish, which chronicles the story of a boy and a racehorse that captured a nation's heart. In 2018, young Cody Dorman, who was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, was introduced to a five-month-old weanling during a Kentucky Make-A-Wish visit to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm. An immediate connection was made and that foal was named Cody's Wish. The horse and boy maintained a connection until the horse's final race and until Cody Dorman's passing at 17 in 2023. Their story touched the hearts of racing fans and others. Author Paul K. Halloran will recount their story during a presentation and book signing.

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     Launched in 2017, the Maryland Horse Career Program (MHCP) is an educational program  that aims to: ●Increase awareness of the diverse career options in the horse industry ●Give participants access to leaders of the Maryland horse community ●Highlight various paths for pursuing a career in the horse industry ●Address a critical need to attract and retain experienced and devoted employees ●Provide additional education in workforce readiness related to equine industry professions. Over the course of a week, participants are encouraged to fully engage in the Maryland horse industry and explore a multitude of career options. Activities will include visits to equine operations and businesses as well as group discussions, networking, and career workshops. ●Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. ●Applicants must commit fully to the weeklong program to be accepted. ●Selected participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Maryland Horse Library for the start and end of the program. Housing, meals, and transportation during the week will be provided, and all participants are expected to travel together as a cohort. ●Online interviews for selected applicants will take place in February, with final acceptance decisions announced in March. APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 ARE NOW CLOSED Learn more about the MHCP: MHCP FAQ's Graduate Testimonials Graduates \ Gallery   [gallery size="large" link="none" ids="3936,3935,3933,3939,3940,3941,3942,3946,3947,3944,689,690,691,687,688,692,696,698,699,700,701,702,703,704,705,706,707,709,711,712,713,714,715,716,717,718,719,720,723,724,5819,5820,5821,5822,5823,5824,5826" orderby="rand"] 2023 Highlights [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvfBHp3tYIQ[/embed] Alumni Testimonials Sara Gordon: Class of 2017 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFwW55uLtw0[/embed] Becky Remsberg: MTCP Coordinator  [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypHJtykkWdc[/embed] John Piassek: Class of 2017 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX7kLwYLnl0[/embed] Elizabeth Moorman: Class of 2019 [embed]https://youtu.be/tU9l-fKGBNM?si=mF90zofa5VqBAnh3[/embed] Sophie O'Connor: Class of 2021 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGjIr8m1H_s[/embed]  

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 →  

Become a member now!  

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) is pleased to announce the new Maryland Broodmare Incentive Program for 2026. This program is designed to encourage broodmare buyers this year to bring new mares to Maryland to foal in 2026 and be bred back to a Maryland stallion. The program will offer a total of $50,000 for 2026 incentives to buyers/owners of broodmares that are new to Maryland. If the mare that is purchased meets the requirements, has an application filed and qualifies, the mare owner will get back 20% of the purchase price of the mare. "We are excited about this new broodmare purchase program because we want more mares and foals in Maryland," said Lisa Hofstetter, MHBA Board member and owner of Northview Stallion Station, "We believe this program will be a valuable asset to the stallion farms and also be very helpful to small and large breeders alike who want to add mares to their broodmare band." To qualify for this new Maryland Broodmare Incentive Program, mares must be purchased from a recognized public auction and be in foal at the time of purchase. She must drop her 2026 foal in Maryland and be bred to a Maryland stallion in the 2026 breeding season. The mare must not have foaled in Maryland in the previous two years. The incentive for the mare buyer/owner is a 20% reimbursement of purchase price (a minimum qualifying purchase of $5,000 and a maximum of $30,000). The reimbursement per one individual or entity is limited to $10,000. Applications will be due after the mare has been confirmed to be 45 days in foal in 2026. The program runs through the end of the 2026 breeding season. The funds from the $50,000 incentive fund will be distributed on a first come, first served basis to the qualified applicants.