Frederick County
There have also been large horse racing farms. Frederick was the home of Glade Valley Farm, once one of the state's leading Thoroughbred operations. as well as Yankeeland Farm, a major national Standardbred harness breeder.
There have also been large horse racing farms. Frederick was the home of Glade Valley Farm, once one of the state's leading Thoroughbred operations. as well as Yankeeland Farm, a major national Standardbred harness breeder.
It was also home to the New Market Hounds that merged with the Middletown Hounds approximately 40 years ago. There are several 4-H and pony clubs. The Frederick Pony Club is one of the oldest in the state. The Great Frederick Fair is also one of the oldest and largest in the state with live harness racing; a harness racing training center that operates year-round; a Horseland exhibition and numerous horse shows. About 30 years ago Carolyn Mackintosh started the Loch Moy Farm equine competition venue, now one of the largest 3-Day Event complexes in the Mid-Atlantic region. There are approximately 73 licensed lesson and boarding barns and 4 certified Horse Discovery Centers.
Champion horses like Gallorette and Challedon were bred in Frederick County. Pan Am gold medalists Marilyn Little and Packy McGaughan grew up in Frederick County. Baseball legend "King Kong" Keller started his Yankeeland Standardbred farm in Frederick County. The Enfield Family near Jefferson are among the state's leading families devoted to the sport of jousting. The Brinkley Family had one of the largest and most successful Welsh pony breeding and showing operations in New Market.
Enjoy reading about some of the finest equine activities in the Frederick area!
The Great Frederick Fair
Since its beginning in 1882, The Great Frederick Fair strives to promote agricultural and the education of youth about the great industry of agriculture. In addition to these admirable goals, the Great Frederick Fair hosts nine days in September of nonstop fun and entertainment! (Check out their website for current dates and event schedules www.thegreatfrederickfair.com). In addition to exciting rides, competitions for food, flowers, farm animals, among a host of others, there is plenty of equine activities for the horse lover! There are horse shows, Standardbred (harness) racing, Thoroughbred racing, jousting (Maryland’s official state sport!), draft horse and mule competitions, a Horse Showcase and Expo, youth horse and pony shows, a horse show for Standardbreds along with a competition for the horse lovers who collect the famous and beloved Breyer Horses! There is horse activity at the Fairgrounds even when the Great Frederick Fair is over for the year. Check out the calendar for regularly scheduled Mexican Rodeos and watch bull riding at its most thrilling!
More Information
New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds
The New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds is a hunt club that participates in the revered sport of chasing foxes on horseback. They hunt over terrain that is both challenging and beautiful located in the Catoctin Mountain range, the Potomac River basin and in Frederick and Washington Counties in Maryland and portions of Berkeley and Jefferson Counties in West Virginia. Jumps found in their hunt country include stone walls, fallen logs and coops.
In addition to fox hunting, NM-MVH has events open to the public: an annual Fun Horse Show and a Hunter Pace for teams of two to three riders over a course of fences that emulate what is found in the hunt field. Check out NM-MVH’s website for more details!
More Information
Loch Moy Farm
Located in in the bucolic rural area of Adamstown, Loch Moy Farm is on 263 acres of gorgeous countryside in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain and abutting the scenic Monocacy River. Loch Moy Farm is internationally renowned for its Three Day Eventing focus, a demanding, competitive horse sport that features dressage, cross country and stadium jumping over three days. Check out Loch Moy Farm’s website for their robust calendar of activities held May through December. Their Four Star Maryland International held in July is one of the most renowned Three Day events held in the United States. Family fun at Loch Moy can be had observing the over fences and dressage competitions, clinics, and XDerbies. Events can include food trucks, a Vendor Village for shopping, up close viewing of riders guiding their gorgeous mounts over cross country and stadium jumping courses.
Additionally, a day at Loch Moy Farm can include hiking and bird-watching. Visits outside of events hours are by appointment only.
More Information
J Bar W Ranch
Watching a pro bull riding event at J Bar W Ranch brings the wild west to the outskirts of Frederick!
Family owned and operated, J Bar W Ranch features pro bull riding and Cowgirl barrel racing, both exciting competitions that require athleticism and nerves of steel. In the world of rodeo, bull riding is acknowledged as the most dangerous in the sport. Cowgirl barrel racing takes skill on part of the rider who has to guide her well trained horse around a tight, cloverleaf course of 55=gallon drums. Speed and accuracy around the barrels will determine the winner of the highly competitive event. These gals can ride!
J Bar W Ranch is known for its professionalism, dedication to the sports of bull riding and barrel racing and devotion to the well being and safety of their animal and human participants.
J Bar W Ranch is a great venue for a family outing as spectators of all ages will enjoy the Bull and Barrel productions offered. Check out their website for more information on their calendar of events.
More Information
Petersville Farmers Club Jousting Grounds
The 2024 Petersville Farmers Club Jousting Tournament will be the 103 time the Farmers Club has met to test their jousting skills, The Petersville Farmers Club spectators gather to watch contestants gallop at full speed down an 80 yard course towards suspended rings they must spear with a lance. In the early days of this competition, participants were mostly farmers taking an afternoon off from farm work to compete. This has changed as times do, with teachers, paramedics even an orthopedic surgeon listed among recent participants! Jousting is the world’s oldest equine competitive sport and the official state sport of Maryland.
This is a wonderful, fun filled event for families and children.
More Information
Thurmont Riding Club
This established show grounds in the bucolic countryside of Thurmont is host to a wide variety of horse shows throughout the year. Check out their website for specific information about dates and the type of classes and clinics held. All equine disciplines are welcome, all ages of riders. There are shows and clinics for hunters, jumpers and western. There are classes on the “flat”, over fences, even an old- fashioned speed class.
Thurmont Riding Club’s By-Laws state “The Club’s purpose is to bring together all those persons who desire good fellowship and have a love of the horse.” Visitors are always welcome!
More Information
Foxie G Foundation
The Foxie G Foundation motto is “Saving Animals. Healing Lives”. Those succinct four words speak volumes about the mission of this venerable organization. Foxie G Foundation was started by horsewoman Laurie Calhoun who become aware of need to rehome Thoroughbred race horses once their career on the track was over. Laurie named her after care facility for charismatic racehorse named Foxie G.
The animal population served has expanded to include dogs and cats. The Foundation is slated to open the “Horses Helping People Center” in 2024 which will provide healing and growth services without a riding component. The Center will have a special focus on at risk youth, Veterans and first responders.
Foxie G. Foundation has been awarded the Horse Discovery Center designation by the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
More Information
Good Intentions Farm
Good intentions Farm is a Clydesdale performance farm offering breeding, sales and boarding of these gentle giants! Visitors are welcome.
Good Intentions Farm has been awarded the Horse Discovery Center designation by the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
More Information
Paradise Stables
Check out Paradise Stables if you’d intrigued by their barn motto that riding should be pure pleasure as well as fun! And it is at Paradise Stables! The beautiful barn surrounded by lush fenced paddocks give the impression of a true horse heaven. Visitors are welcome.
Paradise Stables is introducing their Common Ground program, which teaches participants life skills, heals trauma, reduces stress, and increases self-confidence. The program is offered to military, first responders, professionals and numerous other at-risk groups.
Paradise Stables has been awarded the Horse Discovery Center designation by the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
More Information
Silverado-Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program
This wonderful program began in 1984 with a mission to provide and safe and positive horseback riding experience for disabled citizens in Frederick County. Learning basic riding skills can help riders improve physically and encourages emotional well-being. The program is conducted with riding instructors, physical and occupational therapists, and volunteers. The “heart and soul” of the program are the school horses who provide a safe and loving experience for their riders. The organization welcomes visitors and has open houses for the public.
Silverado-Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program has been awarded the Horse Discovery Center designation by the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
More Information
LOCAL LANDMARKS
This popular restaurant has been serving delicious steaks and seafood since its opening in 1968. In addition to its reputation as a “go to” restaurant in Frederick, Red Horse Restaurant is famous for its namesake: a Red Horse statue in front of the restaurant! Located off Routes 15 and 40 and on West Patrick Street, the restaurant’s namesake is a town favorite and well-known tourist attraction. Though times have changed over the decades Red Horse Restaurant has been in business, somethings will always stay the same at Red Horse: excellent food with a dedication to customer service and the iconic statue of a red horse greeting customers! The Red Horse Restaurant is a perfect place for a meal and a beverage when touring the historic Frederick area!
Featured Items
Saddle Up & Ride Maryland
Saddle Up & Ride Maryland
See Maryland from Horseback! Public Trail Riding Stables & Guided Trail Rides in Maryland