NEWS&VIEWS Snap Decision Wins Eclipse Award
T e 2024 Eclipse Award winners were an- nounced after our February Awards edition had already gone to the printer, so we missed con- gratulating Bruton Street US on winning anoth- er Eclipse Award! T e Maryland-based group owns Snap Decision, who was named the 2024 Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse. T e Eclipse Awards are presented annually by the National T oroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). T e 2014 gelding Snap Decision, trained by
Jack Fisher, is by Hard Spun and out of Salute, by Unbridled. Bred in Kentucky by the famed Phipps Stable, Snap Decision won both the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes in Tennes- see and the American Grand National in New Jersey, both Grade 1 races, in 2024. His 2024 season started with a win in the Grade 2 Tem- ple Gwathmey Hurdle Handicap in Virginia and fi nished with a third place in the Grade 1 Colonial Cup Stakes in South Carolina. At the end of the 2024 season, Snap Deci-
sion had logged 18 wins, 9 seconds and 9 thirds from 47 starts during his eight-year career. His current earnings are $1,338,334. While Snap Decision was an Eclipse fi nalist in 2022 as well, this is his fi rst Eclipse win.
Anne Litz Named New MHIB Ex- ecutive Director
T e Maryland Department of Agriculture announced on February 5 that Anne Litz has been hired as the next Maryland Horse Indus- try Board Executive Director. Litz is replacing Ross Peddicord, who retired from the position in December 2024. “I am excited to see Anne selected to serve in this role,” Maryland Agricul- ture Secretary Kevin Atticks said, adding, “Her prior position as the Maryland Horse Industry Board Public Aff airs offi cer and avid member of the Maryland horse community make her a natural choice as Executive Director.” Litz has worked for MHIB since 2016
where she helped form strategic partnerships, launch innovative programs, and advocate for the horse industry. She successfully managed a $250,000 grant from the Maryland Depart- ment of Commerce to promote the Maryland Horse Park System and facilitated the 2022 Maryland-Ireland Equine Trade Mission, which has helped enhance international trade connections between the two countries. Litz
also oversees the stable licensing and inspec- tion system for MHIB. “I am honored to be chosen to serve as the
Executive Director of the Maryland Horse In- dustry Board,” Litz said. “Having grown up in Maryland’s equine community, I am dedicated to advancing the state’s horse industry and its vital role in agriculture. My lifelong passion for horses drives my commitment to championing Maryland as a premier equestrian destination and supporting the vibrant, diverse equine sec- tor that thrives here.”
MWHA Celebrates 70! by Karen Dudley
Since January 29, 1956, the Maryland Western Horse Association (MWHA) has re- mained true to to its mission to "develop rules and regulations for Western Horse Show classes in the local area." T is mission was created by MWHA's original founders and Di- rectors, including Albert W. Nichols, Harold Brite, Helen Spedden, Robert Spedden and Ellen Schultz. Ellen Schultz remained active with the club from its inception until her death in 2011. Her daughter Peggy Schultz continues the family tradition and is actively involved with all MWHA activities. T e club expanded this original idea into a mission statement meant to help create, stimu- late and promote interest in all things horse related. T is mission includes promoting horse- back riding as a recreational activity in order to facilitate and encourage the training of show horses in Maryland. Over the years, several perpetual trophies have been created to recog- nize the importance of the horse and horse activities within the club including the Blueberry Perpetual Trophy and the Spedden/Schultz Scholarship. T e Blueberry Perpetual Trophy was created in 2008 by the Novotny family in loving
memory of their versatile pony Blueberry. T e award is given to the All-Around High Point Horse or Pony each year with the fi rst award presented to Roan Me A Quartah, shown dur- ing the 2007 season by Becky, Lindsay and Nathaniel Novotny. T e Spedden/Schultz Scholarship was also created in 2008. T e scholarship is presented
to youth members completing high school who have shown dedication and hard work in the show ring over many seasons. Scholarship applicants must submit an essay detailing their experiences with horses, showing within MWHA, and their future plans and goals. MWHA has continued to evolve over the past 70 years by recognizing and responding to the needs of the local horse community. Currently, the 2025 show schedule includes West- ern, Ranch, Speed and English classes as well as both an annual Full Slate Ranch show and a Schooling Jumper show. Divisions off ered include Green Horse, Lead line, Walk/Trot and Walk/Jog/Lope in Youth, Adult, Ranch, Adult Novice, and Western as well as Speed Divi- sion. Ranch Youth Divisions have also been added for the 2025 season. For 70 years MWHA has continuously served the horse community with volunteers who understand the importance of promoting horses and horsemanship through horse shows and training opportunities while encouraging participation and enjoyment for everyone in- volved. T e continued support and promotion of MWHA as a club is a testament to the mission of the founding members and the goal they set to bring about, through correct handling of horses at shows, a greater appreciation of the many admirable qualities of the horse by all riders, owners and spectators. MWHA is celebrating this Jubilee year with a potluck luncheon with a guest speaker on
March 16 at the Howard County Fairgrounds. For more information or to reserve a space please email
mwhaclub@gmail.com.
IF YOU HAVE NEWS, VIEWS OR UPDATES TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE SEND THEM TO THE EDITOR at
The Equiery, P.O. Box 610, Lisbon, MD 21765 • FAX: 410-489-7828 • email
editor@equiery.com. Be sure to include your full name, phone number and address. All submissions become the property of The Equiery.
8 | MARCH 2025 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION 800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
You Can Use HPA Date Delayed
from the American Horse Council On January 24, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) an- nounced it would temporarily postpone its fi nal rule to amend the Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations for 60 days from February 1 to April 2. APHIS published the fi nal rule (89 FR 39194-39251) amending the horse protec- tion regulations to provide, among other pro- visions, that the agency will screen, train, and authorize qualifi ed persons for appointment by the management of any horse show, horse ex-
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