MEDIA ADVISORY: Maryland Horse Industry Board to Honor Maryland’s Triple Crown Endurance Champion and Recent Pan Am Silver Medalist

What: The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) will present its “Touch of Class” Award to Heraldic, a world class Arabian horse raised in Anne Arundel County. Heraldic has won the triple crown of endurance racing and won two silver medals at the Pan Am Games held in Chile on October 21. The award will also be presented to his rider/trainer/farrier John Crandell III of West River, MD.

When:  Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to Noon.
Where: Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), 50 Harry Truman Parkway, Annapolis, 21401.

Who: Brief remarks by Erin Pittman, Vice Chair, MHIB; Mary Ellen Setting, Deputy Secretary, MDA; and John Crandell III,  horse owner/trainer

NOTE: HERALDIC WILL BE AT MDA HEADQUARTERS TO ACCEPT HIS AWARD. Heraldic is a friendly, jovial horse who will be available for photos.

NOTE: Home grown Maryland apples and apple cider will be provided to Heraldic and those in attendance.

BACKGROUND: Heraldic and rider/trainer John Crandell III, both from Anne Arundel County, won silver medals in the individual and team competition for endurance riding at the Pan Am Games, which were held in Chile October 21. Endurance riding is a long-distance race of 50 to 100 miles that is controlled by veterinarians who monitor the horses at strategic points during the ride.  Heraldic won the triple crown of endurance riding in 2006, suffered a life-threatening injury in 2007, and came back after two years of rehabilitation to win the first two legs of the triple crown again in 2010. His astonishing comeback is a major reason the MHIB has chosen to honor him and the Crandell family of Long Run Farm Arabians in West River, who have all contributed to Heraldic’s care and revival. Heraldic and Crandell have received recognition all over the world, but never in Maryland. Heraldic was in a routine seven-day quarantine in Miami after flying back from Chile. The awards ceremony will be his official homecoming and silver medal celebration.  For more information about Heraldic, including his race record, visit: http://heraldic.yolasite.com.

The MHIB’s “Touch of Class” Award, named after the Maryland-bred Olympic gold-medal winning horse, is presented to horses and people who represent the highest standards of excellence in Maryland’s equine community.

RSVP: Media representatives planning to cover the event should RSVP by calling Julie Oberg at 410-841-5888 or Vanessa Orlando at 410-841-5889.

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