Maryland Horse Sports According to the Maryland Horse Industry


Board’s latest available horse industry statistics, there are over 101,000 horses in Maryland with an average of 10.5 horses per square mile. Tese horses live at 16,000 horse farms and stables and represent at least 40 different breeds. MHIB also boasts that 35 different equine dis- ciplines are represented within the state, with the competition sector of the horse industry having a $270 million economic impact sup- porting 3,346 jobs. To kick off the New Year, Te Equiery sur-


veyed its readers to find out which sports they participate in competitively here in Maryland. Over 230 people took our survey with 90.3% of those living within Maryland. Other states represented by our survey were Pennsylvania (4.2%), Virginia (2.9%), Delaware (0.8%) and West Virginia (0.4%). We also had one person from Nevada and another from New York who reported traveling to Maryland to compete. Below are the top 10 most popular horse sports in Maryland according to our survey.


#1 Eventing/Combined Training Te sport of


Eventing, some-


times called Com- bined Training, is a three-phase com- petition involving dressage,


show


jumping and cross- country jumping. It is one of eight sports recognized by the Interna- tional Federation


of Equestrian Sports (FEI) and is one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines. According to Te Equiery’s database, there


are nearly 3,000 people who participate in this sport in Maryland. Eighty-five of the people who took our survey stated they participated in Eventing, making it the most popular sport ac- cording to the survey. Te sport of Eventing developed after the


Second World War as a way for the cavalry to use their military skills in friendly competi- tion. Te dressage phase replicates the preci- sion and control needed for military parades, cross-country replicates the speed and endur- ance needed during battle, and the show jump- ing replicates the strength needed to maneuver over obstacles after strenuous exertion. Maryland offers both licensed competitions


and “starter,” or “schooling,” events at many locations throughout the state. In addition,


there are countless combined tests (dressage and show jumping), derbies (cross-country) and schooling opportunities, making this sport available to riders from leadline through the international levels. Maryland is home to the Maryland 5 Star at


Fair Hill, which is one of only seven five-star events in the world and one of only two in the United States. Te five-star is the highest level of Eventing competition.


#2 Classical Dressage


sage was the second popular in


Classical Dres- most


sport Maryland


based on our survey with 69 people


stating


they participate. Te French word “dressage” most commonly


translates to mean “training,” which is what the sport is all about. Te technique dates as far back as Classical Greece with On Horsemanship by Xenophon. Dressage competitions present an opportunity for riders to show off their horse’s level of training from walk/trot tests all the way up to international levels of Grand Prix. Dres- sage is also an FEI and Olympic sport. Tere are currently three dressage organiza-


tions in Maryland: Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA), Frederick Area Dres- sage Shows (FADS) and Maryland Dressage Association (MDA). Tese organizations offer schooling dressage shows, with PVDA also of- fering U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) li- censed, and US Dressage Federation (USDF) recognized shows.


One of the most popular dressage shows in


Maryland is PVDA’s annual Ride for Life com- petition, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center each summer. Tis show raises funds for breast cancer research.


#3 Show Hunters Jumpers


Hunters and often


go


hand in hand, with classes in both disci- plines often offered at the same shows. Tey are different sports, Our


however! survey results revealed that Show Look for Te Equiery’s 2023 Activities Calendar in the March issue. Be sure to send your competition and clinic dates to editor@equiery.com by February 10 to be included. www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | JANUARY 2023 | 17 Hunter Paces and Paper Chases also stem


from the sport of fox chasing but are open to all types of riders and can be ridden in West- ern or English tack. Tis makes the sport very popular here in Maryland with 52 survey re-


continued... #4 Show Jumpers


Where Show Hunters are judged on style, Show Jumpers are judged on speed and fault-free rid- ing, with the fast- est clean round winning.


Show


Jumping is an FEI and Olym-


pic sport. Jumpers can offer a variety of class types including Power & Speed, Puissance, and Grand Prix, which is the highest level of inter- national competition. Many of the same organizations in Mary- land that offer Show Hunter classes offer Show Jumping classes, with the Washington Inter- national Horse Show being the highest rated show in the state, an FEI five-star. WIHS re- turned to the Prince George’s Equestrian Cen- ter in October 2022.


#5 Hunter Pace/Paper Chase


Hunters were a tad more popular than Show Jumpers with 64 people participating in Show Hunters and 63 in Show Jumpers. Tirty-seven people reported that they participate in both. Show Hunters, also called Hunt Seat, was


developed in North America and is an Eng- lish style of riding. Te sport originated from foxchasing, giving foxchasers something to do with their field hunters during the off season. Te sport includes both under saddle flat class- es and jumping classes. Here in Maryland, there are shows that are


“rated” according to the level of competition under USEF rules and U.S. Hunter/Jumper Association programs, and many schooling shows. Maryland offers many hunter show se- ries and competition organizations, including the Maryland Horse Shows Association, which is the oldest hunter organization in the state.


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