Media Advisory: MDA to Presents Touch of Class Awards to Eight Maryland Equestrians, One Horse During Steeplechase Kick-Off Event

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, will present nine Touch of Class Awards during the Foxhall Farm Cup Team Chase in Baltimore County, the first event in the 2013 Maryland Steeplechase Association’s Governor’s Cup Series. The Touch of Class Awards were established in 2011 by the MHIB to honor Maryland horses, individuals, teams, organizations or events that demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in Maryland’s horse industry.

Touch of Class Award recipients to be honored are:

• Mark Beecher of Glyndon (Baltimore County)

• Blythe Miller Davies of Monkton (Baltimore County)

• Jack Fisher of Monkton (Harford County)

• Ross Geraghty of Monkton (Harford County)

• Dr. Margaret Hoffecker and John Almond of Loafers Lodge Ponies of Monkton (Baltimore County).

• Irvin Naylor of Stillwater Farm in Glyndon (Baltimore County).

• Sally Steinmetz of Rosehaven Farm Ponies in Havre de Grace (Harford County)

• Incomplete, owned by Bob Kinsley (Harford County), trained by Ann Stewart (Baltimore County)

For a list of previous Touch of Class winners.

WHO: MHIB Chairman Jim Steele and Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Assistant Chief of Staff Ashley Valis will present the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s Touch of Class Awards to nine recipients.

WHAT: Presentation of Touch of Class Awards to honor equine excellence in Maryland during kick-off event of the Steeplechase season.

WHEN: Sunday, March 17. Races begin at 1 p.m. Presentations begin immediately after the races, about 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Green Spring Valley Hounds course, 13920 Mantua Mill Rd, Glyndon, MD 21071

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

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