Reining Horse World Champion Selected January Touch of Class Award Winner

Zack Petroski, Ed Jackson, Chris Burgy, Maureen Burgy, Kate Burgy, Breann Huyett, Missy Makela, Don Burgy, Jim Steele, Dutch Chapman, Evelyn Burgy, and Chic With Chex. (Photo by Val D’Ambrosio)

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Jan. 23, 2014) – Chic With Chex, a 10 year-old sorrel Quarter Horse mare — owned by Don Burgy of Howard County and trained by Dutch Chapman of Carroll County — will receive the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s (MHIB) January Touch of Class Award on Saturday (Jan. 25) at 1 p.m. at the Chapman Reining Horse Clinic, Rising Star Farm, 1007 Hoods Mill Road in Woodbine in Carroll County.

Chic With Chex is the recent winner of the National Reining Horse Association Intermediate Open World Championship. In addition to the world title, the mare earned year-end titles in Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association and Virginia Reining Horse Association competition. Reining is a western riding competition where the riders guide the horse through a precise pattern of circles, spins and stops. All work is done at a lope (canter) or a gallop. Reining is now an official Olympic equestrian discipline.

“By presenting this award to a Western reining world champion, we show the great diversity of Maryland’s horse industry,” said MHIB chairman Jim Steele, who will present the award.

MHIB awards the Touch of Class Award monthly to showcase Maryland horses and people who achieve national and international excellence. Since its inception in September 2011, 46 people, 23 horses and ponies, from 14 different Maryland counties representing 23 different equestrian disciplines have been presented the award.

This month’s award is the first time it has been presented to a Maryland world reining champion. Previously, Western riding winners have included Tiffany McClure, a world champion barrel racer from Prince George’s County; and Spencer Bramble, a national youth tie-down calf roping champion from Queen Anne’s County.

For further information about the Touch of Class Award, contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord by email at ross.peddicord@maryland.gov or by phone at: 410-841-5798.

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