NEWS&VIEWS continued... T e new rules also provide a second waiver


claiming option, in which a horse returning from a layoff may make two starts with the claiming price waived, provided certain condi- tions are met: (i0 the waiver was in place in the horse’s fi rst start back, (ii) the horse did not win that race; (iii) there was no change in majority ownership; and (iv) the horse is entered for a claiming price equal to or greater than the tag for which it last started. T e void claim rule has also been updated


as of July 8. HISA will now be required to tell a person who claimed a horse if the horse had a positive test in the race from which it was claimed. Claimants will have 48 hours to decide whether to void the claim or keep the horse. If the horse has already started under new ownership, however, then the new owner cannot void the claim. Finally, a post-workout blood test will be required for horses who are com- ing off the vet’s list for unsoundness or epistaxis (bleeding in its lungs) and who have not raced in over 365 days. T e test will also be required for any un- raced 4-year-olds. Lastly, the FTC ap-


proved the following changes to HISA’s Regis- tration Rules, eff ective July 1: (i) any entity that owns a covered horse must reg- ister with HISA; (ii) any veterinarian who provides veterinary services to cov- ered horses must register with HISA; (iii) and Re- sponsible Persons must update a covered horse’s location within 24 hours and report equine fa- talities within 72 hours.


Fair Hill Foundation Holds Open Meeting with DNR


On July 16, the Fair Hill Foundation (FHF) held an open meeting with Department of Natu- ral Resources (DNR) staff concerning the use of the Special Events Zone at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area (FHNRMA). T e Special Events Zone contains a newly renovated turf track, which FHF members would like to be used for the annual Fair Hill Race meets. T e race meet has been suspended since construction began over fi ve years ago. According to FHF, over 100 owners, train-


10 | AUGUST 2024 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION


ers, donors and interested community members gathered in the Fair Hill Tea Barn for the open meeting. Attending from DNR were Secretary Josh Kurtz, Assistant Secretary for Enterprise Services Julia G. Solomon, Director of Com-


munications AJ Metcalf, and FHNRMA Park Manager Chris Grieco. During the meeting, Secretary Kurtz announced that DNR is creating a full-time position to man- age the Special Event Zone with advertisement for the position to be made public mid-July. After his introduction, the crowd was divided into three groups to provide feedback to DNR. FHF board members raised the following


concerns as reported in their July newsletter T e Fair Hill Bugle. • Virtually no horses have been allowed on the turf course since construction was completed more than fi ve years ago. • Assurance that the turf course in its current condition is ready for racing and training is es- sential. • Heavy equipment crossings over the track re-


heavy machinery into the infi eld? Secretary Kurtz stated that DNR is commit-


ted to using the Special Events Zone for more than the Maryland 5 Star in order to bring people together to Fair Hill. "T ere are many opportunities from racing to concerts, as well as local economic development," he said, add- ing that the July 16 meeting was "the fi rst of [a] series of conversations with stakeholders to develop a long range plan for the future."


MARBIDCO Launches Large Animal Vet Loan Program


T e Maryland Agricultural and Resource- Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) recently established the Maryland Large Animal Veterinarian Assis- tance Loan Program to help attract new and/or retain large animal veteri- narians in Maryland. “Many large animal vet-


In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Carroll County Equestrian Council, the


Commissioners of Carroll County issued a proclamation declaring June 27, 2024 as Carroll County Equestrian Council Day. From left: Recreational Coordinator Jamie Noel, Commissioner T omas S. Gordon III, CCEC President Darlene Welsh, Com- missioner Michael R. Guerin, CCEC Equestrian Center Manager Lynda Arnold, Commissioner Joseph J. Dragan, CCEC charter member and board member Janet Breeding, Commissioner Kenneth A. Kiler, Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks Director Bob Hicks, Commissioner Joseph A. Vigliotti, Commissioner Ed- ward C. Rothstein, and CCEC Secretary Carolyn A. Garber


quired for assembling and dismantling the Mary- land 5 Star infrastructure puts the turf course out of commission for more than half the year. According to FHF, the foundation, which


was created in 2016, has raised more than $5.5 million in gifts and pledges from 150 donors to support the Special Events Zone. In addi- tion, FHF has been granted up to eight days of pari-mutuel racing by the Maryland Racing Commission, which they have not be able to use to date. FHF board members proposed two questions


as follow up to the July 16 meeting that they are hoping DNR will address in the near future. 1. Which individual/entity within the DNR


will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Special Events Zone including the turf course? 2. What is the best solution to the track cross- ing problem? A permanent or portable metal bridge, a tunnel, or is there another way to get


erinarian graduates carry a large student loan debt burden which can inhibit their ability to receive commercial fi nancing for the purchase of a truck and/or specialized equip- ment that they will need to provide large animal veterinarian care services. MARBIDCO can help fi ll this void with this new program,” said MARBID- CO Executive Director, Steve McHenry. Loan amounts may range


from $25,000 to $100,000 with an interest rate set at 4.5%. A maximum six- month interest-only op- tion for repayment will be


available for those eligible applicants that re- quest it. T e loan origination fee is just 0.25%. Loan eligibility is as follows: 1) Be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Maryland; 2) Have some clinical experience providing veterinarian care to large animals (e.g., cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, or goats); 3) Provide evidence of a current student loan debt obligation of at least $50,000; 4) Reside in Maryland on the date that the loan is settled; and 5) Agree to have most of their large animal prac- tice in Maryland during the term of their loan. 6) Agree to pay for at least 10% of the costs of any items being purchased with MARBIDCO loan proceeds. For more information contact Brittany Raw- lings at brawlings@marbidco.org or 410-267- 6807.


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