Horseland Returns to the Maryland State Fair!
by Ross Peddicord, MHIB Executive Director T e 2020 Maryland State Fair, which due to
COVID-19 restrictions was closed to the gen- eral public and only able to host live-streamed youth and open livestock shows, will return with a full calendar of equestrian events from August 26 to September 6, 2021. Returning favorites include T oroughbred racing, rodeo, horse pulls, horse shows, pony racing, a thera- peutic riding show and, new this year, a com- petition of six-horse draft teams held on the racetrack infi eld. T ere is also the return of Horseland to look
forward to this year! For the entire 12 days of the Fair, folks who want to pet a horse, learn about horses, fi nd out where they can volunteer, take riding lessons or be taught how to place a $2 bet, can visit the Horseland exhibition under a big tent located next to “Kiddie Land” and the racetrack. T ere they are greeted by volunteers from riding sta- bles and the racetrack who introduce them to the wonderful world of horses, Maryland style. T e main sponsors of Horseland are T e
Maryland State Fair and the Maryland T or- oughbred Horsemen’s Association in conjunc- tion with the Maryland Jockey Club, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Mil- lion, Maryland Horse Council, Maryland Sad- dlery, Wellspring of Life Farm, and the Mary- land Horse Industry Board. For the six years since its inception in 2015, Baltimore County horsewoman and saddlery store owner Hope Birsh has coordinated the Horseland event and seen over 250,000 people pass through its tent. “It is so cool. People can come in and relax and be introduced to horses in a very pleasant way,” she said. “Sometimes newcomers can feel intimidated when they go to a horse show or a racetrack because they don’t know what to do or what’s going on. But at Horseland, knowledgeable people who love horses welcome and explain to them the nuances of horses and horse events in a very friendly environment. Fairs and community shows off er this opportunity.” Dawn Leung, from Wellspring of Life Farm
in Monkton, has been enlisted as Horseland program coordinator this year and stated, “Not only has Horseland returned, but it’s going to be spectacular!” As of press, Leung had lined up stables and
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organizations such as T e City Ranch, Days End Horse Farm Rescue, Rolling Hills Ranch, TROT, Molly Hill Farm, and GAIT Rescue to bring horses as well as Mike Reuter’s ever popular pair of minis. At the racing community’s exhibit, folks can
ride a race riding simulator named “Bucky,” meet a jockey, see racing equipment and silks, learn how to bet, and have the services of an on-site handicapper. On racing days, State Fair board member Fran Burns will off er back- stretch tours and set up a pop-up booth next to the paddock to off er racing insights. Leung said unmounted activities such as clean- ing tack, grooming, braiding, natural horseman- ship methods, and demonstrations by veterinar- ians and farriers are being arranged, as well as a miniature show jumping course for children. Brian Silva, the former Air Force pilot who was profi led on MPT’s show Farm and Harvest will also be on hand to demonstrate therapeutic les- sons from Wellspring of Life Farm. Birsh’s favorite activity is the stick horse-
making station which will return to Horse- land this year. “We see a lot of the same kids every year,” she said. “T ey make stick horses and many take them home and keep them year after year.” On Friday night, September 3, Leung will get the Labor Day weekend off to a rousing start with a Military and First Responders Appre- ciation showcase in the main horse show arena. T e celebration will feature a tableau of horses’ interaction with humans throughout the ages in war, work, transportation, and sport. Invited guests include George W. Owings III, Mary- land Secretary of Veterans Aff airs; Col. Or- ville Hughes, a centenarian and decorated war veteran; former Staff Sgt. Amy Andrews, who assisted in 9-11 rescue eff orts; Master Sgt. T e- resa Harris, who will sing the national anthem on horseback, and a performance by the 229th Army Band. Active military and fi rst responders are of-
fered free admission to the Fair that day. Leung is expecting a big turnout of veterans, Ameri- can Legion members, military personnel, fi rst responders, and their friends and families. T e event will be capped off by an “At Liberty and Roman Riding” performance by Sadie Fisher of Unbridled Equine of Millerstown, Pennsylvania. We hope to see you at the Fair! Come join us at Horseland!
Michael Reuter returns to Horseland with his Miniature Horses.
Kids can learn what it feels like to be a jock- ey aboard a simulator named Bucky.
Lots of fun activities like stick horses and coloring books!
Watch live racing and get back-stage tours of the Timonium track while at Horseland.
THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | AUGUST 2021 | 41
Maryland Jockey Club
Tracy McKenna
Tracy McKenna
Tracy McKenna
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