News from the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), November 2012

Feasibility Study Find Horse Park Concept Vital to Growth of Maryland’s Horse Industry

Phase One of a new study conducted by The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) and the Maryland Stadium Authority finds that the concept of developing a Maryland Horse Park continues to be vital to the growth of the state’s horse industry but offers some new approaches to an initial study conducted in 2005. The original study recommended building a large central facility similar to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky for about $120 million. The new study finds that Maryland already has many of the essential components for such a park at existing facilities. The new study suggests that a new horse park can be made up of a system of existing and perhaps upgraded equine facilities across the state that can be linked together and operate cooperatively rather than as strictly individual venues. While suggesting that a linked system would likely work for Maryland, the study makes no conclusive recommendation on actual implementation and leaves the door open to other possibilities. Phase Two of the study will investigate exactly what needs to be done to maximize the use of the state’s current equine facilities and study the potential these facilities have for attracting national and international events, competitions, and visitors to Maryland. Phase Two is scheduled to begin early in 2013 and be completed by the fall. The study is funded jointly by the MHIB and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. To read the study. For more information, contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at: 410-841-5798 or [email protected]

Four Seasons, 50 Events to Watch Maryland Horses in Action

The MHIB recently brought more than 50 people from various equine spectator events together to meet with state and local tourism officials to find new ways to work together to market and advertise equine spectator events both inside and outside the state. The result is a four-page brochure that lists 50 spectator events in Maryland – at least one each month except February. The events include large, internationally known events like The Preakness Stakes, which is the second leg of the Triple Crown, to the annual Ride for Life & Dancing Horse Challenge in Prince George’s County. The brochure contains website and phone numbers so consumers can check for latest information. The brochure is free and available on line at: www.mda.maryland.gov/pdf/4Seasons_50events.pdf

Touch of Class Award to be presented During Lisbon Ole Fashion Christmas Horse Parade Dec. 8

The Maryland Horse Industry Board will present its November and December Touch of Class Awards during the Lisbon Ole Fashion Christmas Horse Parade in Howard County on Dec. 8. The parade, which begins at 11 a.m., displays the pleasures of horses and benefits the Howard County Food Bank and the Lisbon Fire Department Building Fund. MHIB will also have an entry in the parade – a team of Percherons, owned and driven by Dr. Mike Odian from Taneytown, will pull a carriage carrying MDA officials and MHIB members.

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. The award is named after “Touch of Class,” the Maryland-bred mare who won two Olympic Gold Medals in Showing Jumping in 1984. The November Award will be presented to Jacob Pope, an 18 year-old senior at McDonogh School who is from Columbia. Jacob won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in equitation at the National Horse Show in Kentucky. (Jacob will ride in the MHIB carriage during the parade.) The December Award will be presented to Officer Megan Lau of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County division, and winner of the overall National Mounted Police Equitation Championship at the North American Police Equestrian Championships. She will ride with the Capital Police unit that will lead the parade as its color guard. Officer Lau lives in Dickerson in Montgomery County.

Last year, the parade included 86 units with 300 horses and approximately 1,000 spectators. MHIB is a sponsor of the parade this year and will provide cookies, hot chocolate, and hot cider to participants. For more information about the parade. For more information about Touch of Class, contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at: 410-841-5798 or [email protected].

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