Maryland's Horse Heritage

Maryland's rich equestrian heritage evokes a variety of traditions
 

Maryland gallops into full stride with a rich equestrian culture on display. The most visible tradition might be the Preakness Stakes, but horse enthusiasts can enjoy a wide variety of events and activities year-round. 

Maryland has now identified four major sites in the MARYLAND HORSE PARK SYSTEM. The four sites are: the Fair Hill Special Events Zone in Elkton, home of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, one of only two 5 star competitions in the U.S. in the sport of Eventing and one of only seven in the world; the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, home of the 5 Star Washington International Horse Show, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, the Maryland Horse & Pony Show, the Bill Pickett Rodeo, and the Black-Eyed Susan Horse Show Series as well as many other equine events; the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center in Reisterstown, offering a year-round schedule of talks and displays about horses as well as a vast equine resource library; and newly-added the state-owned, planned and managed Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.  www.marylandhorse.com

Steeplechase, dressage competitions, polo, and even jousting all have strong identities in the state, and, for recreational equestrians, nothing beats a refreshing jaunt down one of Maryland's many riding trails. The Maryland Horse Industry Board and the publication The Equiery are great directories for places to go riding and where to learn to ride.  Travel the Horses & Hounds Scenic Byway to immerse yourself in Maryland's Horse country, where fox hunters have swept across rolling, grassy fields in a colorful pageant of horses and hounds since Colonial times.

Here are some of the many highlights from around the state:

Thoroughbred racing

Marylanders love their horse racing, and few tracks are as storied as Pimlico. The day before the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, fast fillies from across the country compete in the Black-Eyed Susan race, which dates back to 1919. Then it's on to the legendary Preakness Stakes, the race that has shaped the legacies of champion horses like Seabiscuit. Each year, fans gather on the infield for live music and fun. More about Maryland's legendary tracks.

Steeplechases

Although it originated in the United Kingdom as a cross-country race from church steeple to church steeple, this exciting sport has quite the history here in Maryland, too. Expect plenty of tailgating at the annual Potomac Hunt Races in May. The Fair Hill Races have been held on the 5,600-acre former estate of William DuPont, Jr., since 1934. This Elkton (Cecil County) race is the only U.S. steeplechase event with parimutuel betting, a wagering system in which payoffs are determined after the betting pool closes. The Fair Hill course is currently closed for repairs, but there are plans to resume racing in the near future. The "Triple Crown of Maryland Steeplechase Racing" takes place in the spring on three consecutive Saturdays in April at the My Lady's Manor Races, Monkton; the Grand National Steeplechase, Butler; and the Maryland Hunt Cup, Glyndon. www.marylandsteeplechaseassociation.com Steeplechase races can also be seen at Cattail Chase Races, Brooklandville, Howard County. More Steeplechase info...

Horse trials and shows

Maryland Combined Training Association (MCTA) Horse Trials, May, Cockeysville (Baltimore County) – Held at Shawan Downs on Shawan and Falls Roads, this nationally-recognized, longtime event features novice through advanced levels of competition that showcase endurance, dressage, and jumping. Maryland is home to over 50 eventing barns. Other major events occur at Waredaca in Laytonville, Montgomery County, Full Moon Farm in Finksburg, Carroll County, Seneca Valley in Dickerson, Montgomery County, Marlborough Horse Trials in Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County, Olney Farm in Joppa, Harford County, Fair Hill in Elkton, Cecil County and Loch Moy in Adamstown, Frederick County.

Fair Hill Recognized Horse Trials, May, Elkton (Cecil County) – Held at Saw Mill Field near the county fairgrounds off Route 273, this "triathlon for horses" is more than a competition that draws 200 horses from the Mid-Atlantic region and spans three phases: dressage (a horse's capacity for precision moves and communication with the rider), cross-country, and stadium jumping. Admission is free, and Olympic riders are expected to be in attendance, so there's really no reason not to come! These horse trials are produced by Fair Hill International that runs over 20 such events a year, not only in eventing but also in carriage driving and endurance racing. Fair Hill International is also the competition partner for the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory which is overseen by the Maryland Sports Commission with help from Fair Hill International and many other partners and sponsors.

Loch Moy Farm serves as a premier venue for a variety of equestrian competitions — it is the #1 Eventing venue in the Mid Atlantic and #4 in the USA. They draw large attendance to their Hunter and Jumper Sugarloaf Mountain Horse Show Series and feature competitions each July. Located in Frederick County on the Monocacy River, Loch Moy Farm is surrounded by stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain.

The Maryland Horse Show Association was founded in 1932 and is the oldest continuous horse shows association in the U.S. The association and other horse show organizations throughout the state put on over 500 horse shows annually from horse shows at county fairs, riding centers, the McDonogh School show complex, 13 county horse parks throughout the state, the Maryland State Fair and the Prince George's Equestrian Center. There is literally a horse show being held every weekend in Maryland.

Rodeos and Western Disciplines: Rodeos and horse shows featuring Western riding, barrel racing, reining, trail classes, etc. are held mostly spring, summer and fall at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Prince Goerge's County; J Bar W Ranch in Johnsville, Frederick County; the Lady Longears Ranch in Woodbine, Carroll County; and at various county fair and county-owned show grounds throughout the state. There is also a flourishing Maryland High School Rodeo Association which puts on numerous competitions and a statewide championship.

Polo

Capitol Polo Club, Poolesville (Montgomery County) – Located on nearly 600 acres in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, this club has three full-sized polo fields, outdoor and indoor arenas, and a grandstand. The Polo Academy offers a full range of instruction, and the Development League allows Academy graduates to continue their progress in learning how to play. Weekend matches are open to the public.

Maryland Polo Club, Monkton (Harford County) – Games are held Fridays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., starting June and running through the summer. The field is adjacent to Ladew Topiary Gardens, and tailgating is a popular way for visitors to watch the matches.

Jousting

More than 50 years ago, in 1962, Maryland designated jousting as the state's official sport. Upcoming tournaments are listed on the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association website.

Destinations

Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland portion in Worcester County) – Assateague's wild horses are descendants of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state. Their ancestors were likely horses brought from the mainland to barrier islands such as Assateague in the late 1600s as a way for owners to avoid fencing laws and livestock taxation. Visitors to this scenic natural habitat, a short distance from Ocean City, should view these horses from a distance.

Belair Mansion and Stable Museum, Bowie (Prince George's County) – Built in 1907, the stable was operated by Belair Stud until 1957. Samuel Ogle, a provincial governor or Maryland credited with introducing organized Thoroughbred racing in North America, established Belair Stud as an American Thoroughbred horse-racing stable and breeding farm in 1747, and between 1923 and 1953, Belair Stud horses won 631 races. (Five of these horses are in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.)

Horse rescue

Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR), Woodbine (Howard County) – This nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center shelters 50 to 70 horses at any given time. Since its founding in 1989, it has taken in more than 1,750 horses, 94 percent of which were eventually adopted and moved to permanent homes. DEFHR uses volunteer adult and youth trainers to help with the rehabilitation of horses on-site, and in some instances, off-site. Horses available for adoption are listed on the DEFHR website.

Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, Mount Airy, Howard County – Gentle Giants has rescued over 1,500 horses since being founded in 2005. They house over 150 horses at a time at their adoption center in Mount Airy as well as an additional sanctuary in Woodbine. They draw visitors from all over the country and around the world and put on numerous events throughout the year including horse research, adoption clinics, a spring 5K and summer concert series.