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MARYLAND HORSE INDUSTRY BOARD ACCEPTING 2023 GRANT APPLICATIONS — GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD RUNS FROM AUGUST 1 – OCTOBER 7

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 28, 2022) – The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, will begin accepting grant applications on August 1, 2022, for research, educational, and promotional projects that support horses, strengthen the equestrian community, and/or develop new opportunities for the Maryland horse industry. The deadline to apply is October 7, 2022.

“Horses are a critical economic driver in Maryland and an important part of our agriculture industry,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “The equine sector alone adds an additional $1.3 billion to the state’s economy and impacts more than 21,000 jobs. The grants provided by the Maryland Horse Industry Board ensure that our state remains a world-class equestrian epicenter for years to come.”

Projects will be evaluated for the quality of their written presentation; possible impact and value to the industry; feasibility of the project; financial need; and potential for matching funds. Grant requests should not exceed $3,000. The average grant amount is approximately $1,000. In 2022, 40 projects received a total of $30,000 in grant allocations.

Applicants are strongly urged to read the 2022 Grant Guidelines carefully. Proposals that are aligned with action items found in the 2019 Maryland Horse Forum Report will be given strong consideration as well as applications that aim to enhance diversity and inclusion in the Maryland horse industry. Organizations eligible for grants include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations; clubs and associations; businesses; licensed farms and stables; schools and educational institutions; and government entities.

Grant recipients will be announced no later than January 1, 2023. Funding will be available after that date. Projects should be completed by June 30, 2023.

GRANT APPLICATION PDF

To be downloaded, filled out and emailed to ross.peddicord@maryland.gov.

You can also download a Word doc from the website. 
It is preferred forms are filled out and emailed, but hard copy mailed in forms ( 8 copies of Grant) will be accepted as well.

The MHIB was established in 1998 to promote and develop the equine industry in Maryland. Funding for these grants and for the MHIB is provided by the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in Maryland. Since the Maryland Feed Fund was established in 2002, the MHIB has awarded over $500,000 in grants to nearly 400 projects throughout Maryland.

Visit the MHIB website to view the 2023 grant guidelines and grant applications. For more information, please contact the MHIB’s Executive Director Ross Peddicord at (240) 344-0000 or ross.peddicord@maryland.gov.

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MHIB GRANTS

(Reisterstown, MD – June 20, 2022) The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) is proud to announce the launch of a newly designed MarylandHorse.com website. This redesign was completed in partnership with the Maryland Horse Industry Board and funded by a grant from the Rural Maryland Council. The refreshed MarylandHorse.com website features a sortable directory connecting users to a variety of resources in addition to an events calendar tracking Maryland Horse happenings.

“MarylandHorse.com is an incredible resource that showcases the Maryland horse industry,” said Jordyn Egan, MHF director of development. “The Maryland Horse Foundation is proud to partner with the Maryland Horse Industry Board on this endeavor and we are committed to maintaining and promoting the website year-round.”

In addition to the events calendar and robust directory, MarylandHorse.com will be the home for information about the Maryland Horse Park System and annual campaigns such as October – Maryland Horse Month and Horse Industry Day.

Contact Becky Remsberg (bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com) if you have an event or resource you would like added to the website.

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The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) is a charitable organization that 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 a number of 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.

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.

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The Maryland Horse Foundation is excited to announce that the 2022 Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program (MTCP) will run from June 6-10, 2022. The online application is now open and must be completed by April 22, 2022. Interviews will take place in the two weeks after the application deadline and selected participants will be notified in early May.

“The MTCP is a gateway to the various career possibilities in the Thoroughbred industry,” said Jordyn Egan, MHF director of development. “We tailor the program to the participants interests so that everyone walks away with high-quality contacts that benefit them in the long run. The participants learn from industry professionals and one another throughout the week and enduring relationships are built. It is an incredibly rich and valuable experience for all involved.”

Learn more about the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program HERE.

Interested individuals are encouraged to email Jordyn Egan – jordyn@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.

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 1, 2021) —Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed October as Maryland Horse Month, recognizing the abundant historic, recreational, therapeutic, and economic contributions made by the state’s horse industry.

“Maryland has a rich history as a leader in the horse industry, and is one of only two states to host both a Triple Crown Race in the Preakness Stakes and an international 5-Star Event, coming this year to Fair Hill,” said Governor Hogan. “With more horses per square mile than any other state, the equine community is a critical part of our state’s heritage and economy. I encourage all Marylanders to join in celebrating Maryland Horse Month.”

In celebration of Maryland Horse Month, the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) and its industry partners are leading a targeted marketing strategy to highlight the many statewide attractions, events, activities, trails, exhibits, and experiences with an equestrian connection.

2021 marks the inaugural Maryland 5-Star Event at Fair Hill, a major new international equestrian event at a newly-refurbished state facility that will draw competitors from across the U.S. and abroad. The Maryland 5-Star Event takes place Oct. 14-17 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 from Oct. 1-10; and the Jim McKay Maryland Million horse race at Laurel Park Racetrack in Laurel on Oct. 23.

In between these major events are championship finals in jousting, rodeo and hunter/jumper disciplines, as well as All Breed exhibitions, carriage driving displays and numerous events hosted by the state’s 40 Horse Discovery Centers, individual farm owners and equine organizations.

“We are fortunate that during the pandemic many folks discovered the benefits of riding horses, being outdoors, getting fresh air and exercise with these magnificent animals,” said Ross Peddicord, executive director of MHIB. “We hope this interest carries over into increased attendance and enjoyment at our equestrian events. Maryland Horse Month is a good way to underscore all that we have to offer.”

A new video titled, “Why Horses,” will be available on the MHIB YouTube channel and MarylandHorse.com, which beautifully depicts the many compelling benefits of involvement with horses. The board is also encouraging participation in the national Mustang Discovery Ride in which two young women will start a 5,000-mile, year-long cross country trek in Maryland during October on their Mustang mounts. Marylanders are encouraged to ride along in the state during October and support this effort to adopt and then turn these wild animals into useful and enjoyable riding horses.

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. 

“Major equestrian events typically bring in thousands of visitors, as do our world-class destinations such as Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park, home to storied herds of wild horses,” said Liz Fitzsimmons, Managing Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism and Film. “Driving the Scenic Horse and Hounds Byways, travelers will journey through an impressive landscape and perhaps will venture into one of the riding stables to saddle up to really horse around in Maryland.”

Maryland leads the nation in the number of horses per square mile, according to the American Horse Council. In addition to tourism attractions, there are 40 friendly and knowledgeable Maryland Horse Discovery Centers located in 18 counties that include licensed stables, therapeutic riding program providers, and state-of-the-art equestrian centers. All provide the perfect introduction to various segments of the industry.

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, and #MDMillion.

For additional travel information, please visit visitmaryland.org.

To view a copy of the Maryland Horse Month proclamation, please click here.

(Reisterstown, MD – September 28, 2021)

The Maryland Horse Foundation has received a grant from the Thoroughbred Education & Research Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation for educational programs.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding and grateful to the TERF Trustees for considering our application” said Jordyn Egan, MHF director of development. “TERF has been a great partner in the past and this support allows us to work creatively with people that are committed to a career in the Maryland Thoroughbred industry.”

Details on the 2022 Maryland Horse Foundation education programs will be available in the coming months.

To learn more about the Maryland Horse Foundation, visit MarylandHorse.com.

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The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) is a charitable organization that 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.

The mission of the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation is to support Thoroughbred health and welfare by funding scholarships, educational programs, and equine research with a priority to make racing safer.

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. 

The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) is honored to be named a 2021 Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) Grant Recipient. This grant will be used to support the foundation’s existing educational programs such as the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program in the coming year.

“After a decidedly quiet 2020, the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program was back in June 2021 and we can’t wait to engage another group of participants next summer,” said Jordyn Egan, the Maryland Horse Foundation’s development director. “Grant funds are essential for us to be able to maintain quality programming that will help the state of Maryland attract and retain high quality employees in the Thoroughbred industry.”

In addition to the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program, the MHF is responsible for the Work Experience Program, which allows qualified applicants to design a custom internship experience that will benefit their long-term career goals. The MHF covers the participants wages throughout their internship in addition to expenses such as housing and worker’s compensation. 

“There is an endless pool of talent in Maryland’s horse industry; so many horse enthusiasts that have not considered their passion as a career path. It is our mission to engage those people early on and keep providing them with opportunities to grow until they get started in the workforce, “ said Egan. “There are so many careers in the Thoroughbred industry, it’s just a matter of channeling somebody’s strengths, giving them opportunities and watching them flourish.”

To learn more about the Maryland Horse Foundation, visit MarylandHorse.com.

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The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) is a charitable organization that 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 a number of 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.

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is a charitable organization that provides grants to approved non-profit organizations that work toward improving the lives of Thoroughbred racehorses and the people who care for them. TCA offers the Thoroughbred industry and its supporters a way to give to one organization while helping many.