The Maryland Horse Industry Board, a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, today presented “Touch of Class” Awards to Suzanne Stettinius, a Maryland Olympian from Baltimore County, and Mackenzie Taylor, a World Mounted Games Champion from Montgomery County, during Winner’s Circle ceremonies at the Jim McKay Maryland Million. The Touch of Class Award is presented every month to honor Maryland horses, individuals, teams, organizations or events that have garnered national or international recognition.

“These two young women have taken their skills and talents and horses around the world and have represented our state and our nation with great distinction,” said Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, who presented the awards. “They are great competitors and athletes, and we are happy to welcome them home and recognize their world class efforts.”

The September award was presented to Stettinius, 24, from Parkton (Baltimore County). She is one of the world’s top 36 woman competitors in the Modern Pentathalon Event, winning the Silver Medal at the 2012 North and Central America and Caribbean Open event, and representing the United States at the recent London Olympic Games.  The Modern Pentathalon includes riding, fencing, swimming, running and shooting. Stettinius, a licensed steeplechase jockey and trainer, paraded one of her favorite mounts, the retired Thoroughbred racehorse, Smooth Flight, on the track as part of the awards presentation.

The October Touch of Class Award was presented to Taylor, 16, from Damascus (Montgomery County) and her pony, Inkspot. Taylor won the Individual World Mounted Games Championship in international competition in Wales, United Kingdom (a first for a Marylander). A total of 56 competitors from 17 countries participated in the event, which took place over two days of qualifying rounds, semi-finals, and finals that involved 30 different games. Mounted games competition involves a series of very fast events that require a high degree of athletic ability and superb equestrian skills. Inkspot was adopted from the Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon (Howard County) and was also on hand to help Taylor accept the award.

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

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Note to Editors: Photos of the presentation will be available after the event upon request.

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