2019 Maryland Horse Forum Scheduled for August 8

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The 2019 Maryland Horse Forum will convene more than 300 Maryland horse owners, professionals, and enthusiasts on Thursday, August 8 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore. This year’s Forum is presented by the Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS) and organized by the Maryland Horse Industry Board.

The Maryland Horse Forum is hosted by the state’s leading equestrian organizations every five years since 2004 to assess the current state of the equine industry and to discuss pressing issues. This year’s Forum includes 12 breakout sessions on the following topics:

• Participation, Promotion, and Education of Maryland’s equine industry;
• Horse-keeping and Welfare; AND
• Land Use, Legislature, and Liability.

Speakers for the fourth Maryland Horse Forum include:

• Secretary Kelly Schulz, Maryland Department of Commerce
• Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr., Baltimore County
• Deputy Secretary Julie Oberg, Maryland Department of Agriculture
• Treasurer William E. Pugh II, Goucher College Board of Trustees
• Executive Director Terry Hasseltine, Maryland Sports Commission

Also, on the agenda is a presentation of the Touch of Class Award by the Maryland Horse Industry Board to former jockey/outrider Kaymarie Kreidel and her horse Hunter. These two were dubbed MVPs of this year’s Preakness and received national and international acclaim after safely capturing the loose Preakness starter Bodexpress.

The day wraps up with a reception sponsored by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association with music by the Mayo Family Band. Beverages will be available from Boordy Vineyards and Farmacy Brewers. Tours of the Goucher College campus and stables will be offered. Goucher College is nationally-recognized for their intercollegiate riding team and stables 30 horses on its metropolitan Baltimore campus.

Sponsors for the event include:

Presenting Sponsor: Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS)

Platinum Sponsors: Goucher College, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Horse Council, Maryland Horse Industry Board, The Equiery, and the University of Maryland Equine Studies

Gold Sponsors: Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association, Maryland Jockey Club, Maryland Million, Maryland Sports Commission, Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Maryland State Fair, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and Rosecroft Raceway

Silver Sponsors: Equine Equipment, Law Offices of Kathleen Tabor Esq/Maryland Equine Law, Maryland Farm Bureau, and the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation

Bronze Sponsors: Damascus Equine Associates, Green Horse Enterprises, Grow & Fortify, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Maryland Horse Trials/Loch Moy Farm, Maryland Saddlery, Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association, Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit, Ocean Downs, and the Rural Maryland Council

The Maryland Horse Industry Board encourages all Marylanders with an interest in horses to attend. Interested attendees can register online here. RSVP is required. For more information about the 2019 Maryland Horse Forum and for a detailed agenda, visit the event’s website.

The Forum’s 2019 Co-Chairs can be reached at the following:

• Anne Litz, Maryland Horse Industry Board, email: anne.litz@maryland.gov
• Jennifer Reynolds, University of Maryland Equine Studies, email: jenreyn@umd.edu.

For questions or additional information, contact Ross Peddicord, the Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, at ross.peddicord@maryland.gov or 410-841-5798.

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