Agriculture Secretary Presents Touch of Class Awards during Ole Fashion Christmas Horse Parade in Howard County

Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Secretary Buddy Hance today presented the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s (MHIB) November and December “Touch of Class” Awards immediately after the Lisbon Ole Fashion Horse Parade in Howard County – a parade that celebrates Maryland’s long equine heritage. The MHIB, a program within MDA, presents the Touch of Class Award every month to honor a Maryland horse, individual, team, organization or event that has garnered national or international recognition.

“It is a pleasure to present these awards and recognize the best in Maryland horsemanship while in the company of so many horse lovers and so many horses,” said Secretary Hance, referring to the 500 horses that were featured in the parade. “The Touch of Class Award recognizes excellence in Maryland’s equine industry and our long equine heritage. Just looking around today, it is clear that we have much to recognize.”

The November award was presented to Jacob Pope, an 18 year-old senior at McDonogh School who is from Columbia (Howard County). Jacob won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in equitation at the National Horse Show in Kentucky. Jacob rode in the parade with Secretary Hance and members of the MHIB Board in a carriage pulled by a team of Percherons, owned and driven by Dr. Mike Odian from Taneytown.

The December Award was presented to Officer Megan Lau of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County division, and winner of the overall National Mounted Police Equitation Championship at the North American Police Equestrian Championships. She rode in the parade with the Capital Police unit, a color guard in the parade. Officer Lau lives in Dickerson (Montgomery County).

The MHIB was also a sponsor of the parade which benefited the Howard County and Carroll County Food Banks and the Lisbon Fire Department Building Fund. MHIB members provided cookies, hot chocolate, and hot cider to participants in its tent after the parade.

For more information, contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at [email protected] or 410-841-5798.

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Note to Editors: Photos of the presentation areavailable after the event upon request.