17-Year-Old Rodeo Champ from Queen Anne’s County Receives Touch of Class Award

Spencer Bramble in action

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance presented the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s (MHIB) Touch of Class Award tonight to Spencer Bramble, a 17 year-old senior at Queen Anne’s County High School and a World Champion rodeo rider during a special “Evening at the Harness Races” program at Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George’s County.

“Spencer represents the next generation of equine professionals who will continue Maryland’s heritage of outstanding horsemanship,” said Secretary Hance. “We are pleased to recognize a young man who has already achieved so much in his sport.”

The MHIB, a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, presents the Touch of Class Award every month to Maryland horses and people who have achieved national and international recognition. In August, Bramble and his roan Quarter Horse gelding, Pure Blue Boon, won the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship in tie-down roping in Oklahoma City. Boon accompanied Spencer to Rosecroft to accept the award. Bramble and his other mount, the buckskin gelding, W R Lynxalena, were the Reserve World Champions.

Also on hand to present the award will be MHIB Chairman Jim Steele, Maryland Horse Council president Jane Seigler and MHIB board members Erin Pittman, Eli Solomon, Kathleen Tabor and Dorothy Troutman. The Maryland Horse Council sponsored the “Evening at the Harness Races” event at Rosecroft to showcase Maryland’s harness racing industry.

Even though Bramble specializes in rodeo events, his family has long been active as owner/trainers in harness racing. The Bramble family has operated Quail Covey Farm in Queen Anne for generations; however, Spencer and his family travel the rodeo circuit extensively during the year with their son and his horses.

“Spencer and his family have been involved in owning and training horses, as well as in other farming activities, for generations on Maryland’s Eastern Shore,” said MHIB Chair Jim Steele. “They are a testament to the rich tradition of how superior horsemanship and agriculture are linked together in our state.”

So far, more than 50 Maryland horses and people have been honored with a Touch of Class Award for winning national/international titles in 21 different equine disciplines.

For more information, contact Ross Peddicord, MHIB Executive Director at 410-841-5798 or by email ross.peddicord@maryland.gov.

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