MEDIA ADVISORY: Maryland Horse Industry Board to Present Touch of Class Award to National Walking Horse Champion

The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) will present its January 2013 “Touch of Class” Award to Kristen Wilson of Eldersburg (Carroll County) and her national champion 4-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare, The Midnight Ride, during the Horse World Expo in Timonium.

The Midnight Ride is the National Walking Horse Association Overall High Point Champion of 2012, winning 50 first place ribbons and 77 percent of the classes in which she was entered. The shows were held in six states, including the National and International Grand Champion events. Wilson, originally from Annapolis, is the former Extension Horse Specialist at the University of Maryland, and worked primarily with the 4-H Horse program as well as teaching in the university’s equine studies program. While working fulltime, she showed The Midnight Ride and other horses regularly on weekends on the national walking horse circuit.

The MHIB, a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, started the Touch of Class awards in September 2011to honor Maryland horses and people who achieve national and international success The award, which is presented every month, is named after “Touch of Class,” the Maryland-bred mare who won two Olympic Gold Medals in Showing Jumping in 1984.

What: Presentation of the MHIB’s January Touch of Class Award for equine excellence in Maryland.

Who: MHIB Chairman Jim Steele to present Touch of Class Award to Kristen Wilson of Eldersburg (Carroll County) and her national champion 4-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare, The Midnight Ride, both of whom will be present for the awards presentation.

When: Saturday, Jan. 19, at 4:30 p.m.

Where: In the main ring at the Horse World Expo at the Maryland State Fair Grounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium.

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