NEWS&VIEWS You Can Use Nomm Wins Essay Contest


Tiiu Nomm of the En-Tice-Ment Stables/ Indian Creek School Interscholastic Eques- trian Association Team earned Upper School Honorable Mention honors for the fi rst ever IEA Dear Marguerite National Essay Contest. Sponsored by Lettie Teague and supported by Trafalgar Square Books, the essay contest was open to Middle School and Upper School members of IEA from grades four through 12. Nomm was one of 288 entries.


Spring Fire Season On April 8, Starry Night Stables' (Frederick)


instructor Dani Forney's house burned down. She, her husband, their daughter and their dog were all unharmed. Sadly, their beloved cat did not make it out of the fi re. On April 15, Frey Agricultural Products re-


ported that a fi re broke out at its main location on Woodville Road in Mt. Airy. T e fi re started in their mulch yard and, due to high winds, quickly spread to surrounding buildings. No people or animals were injured during the fi re. Frey reported after the fi re that they are still op- erating, and that their Farm & Garden store in Woodbine is open under normal business hours.


EHV1 at Laurel Park Contained On April 16, Maryland Jockey Club Interim


President Mike Rogers, along with 1/ST Rac- ing’s Chief Veterinary Offi cer Dr. Dionne Ben- son, released a statement concerning one horse at Laurel Park testing positive for Equine Her- pesvirus (EHV-1). According to the statement, the infected horse started displaying neurolog- ical symptoms in its hind limbs on April 14. At this time, that horse, along with a second horse that had been in close proximity to the aff ected horse but showed no symptoms, were relocated to an isolation barn at Laurel Park. In addition, Barn 33, where the aff ected horse was stabled, was placed under strict quarantine. MJC offi cials notifi ed the Maryland State


Veterinarian’s Offi ce the same day and the af- fected horse was tested for EHV-1 with results from the nasal swab returning positive for the virus as of April 15. Further testing has been done with the results still pending. Currently, MJC reports that Laurel Park staff ,


offi cials and horsemen are working with the State Veterinarian’s Offi ce to develop a com- prehensive quarantine protocol for Barn 33. “T is plan will allow horses in this barn to train separately form the general population and en- able other barns to continue their regular rac- ing and training activities,” according to the April 16 MJC state- ment. At this time, all other horses at Laurel Park are also being monitored for EHV-1 symptoms.


Piney Run Park Closure


Starting on April


15, the east side ac- cess gate to Piney Run Park in Sykes- ville is closed to vehicular


traffi c


until further notice. Maryland Horse Council member Carroll County Equestrian Council shared a notice stat- ing the closure is to "allow this area of the park to environmentally recover given its heavy use in recent years." T e park's access gate will, however, continue


to allow trailer parking for horseback riders since that is the only trailer parking lot in the park. Horseback riders can continue to use the east (undeveloped) side of the park, but must complete a 2024 Piney Run Park Equestrian Permit application and a Release of Liabil- ity form. Application and forms can be found on CCEC's website and must be returned to rhicks@carrollcountymd.gov for approval.


New Year, New Helmets for Jump Jockeys


T e Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foun-


dation announced in early April that it has launched a new program that reimburses the cost of purchasing a new helmet by licensed steeplechase jockeys each year. T e initiative joins an existing program that pays to replace


Kudos to trainer Jamie Ness for winning this year’s Heritage Meet training title at Laurel Park.


Arlington Caisson Horse Update


ABC News reported on


April 12 that the return of horse-drawn caissons at Ar- lington National Cemetery


has been delayed for several months accord- ing to U.S. Army offi cials. In 2022, two caisson horses were euthanized as a result of poor feed and living conditions, causing the caisson pro- gram to be suspended. Major General Trevor Bredenkamp, commander of the Military Dis- trict of Washington, stated that the process of buying new horses, getting better equipment, and improving the training facility and turnout areas has been "far more time-consuming and diffi cult" than initially expected. “We have every intention to resume opera-


tions. I can’t give you a week or month or es- timate, but it’s requirements-based,” Breden- kamp said in a call with a small number of reporters. He said he doesn't expect it will take years but “it’s going to take some time.” He said he would not describe the delay as “indefi nite” but repeatedly acknowledged the stumbling blocks to restarting a sustainable program that protects the health of the horses.


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the helmet of any licensed rider that takes a fall in a National Steeplechase Association- sanctioned race. Temple Gwathmey's president Kathy Neil-


son stated that the helmet program "was made possible by a grant from a generous donor, ac- knowledging that helmet replacement is an im- portant foundation feature of rider healthy and welfare, and supporting the NSA's compre- hensive safety protocols." Because jockeys may have


diff erent brand preferences, the program does not give actual helmets to each jockey. Jockeys apply for up to $500 in reimbursement each year. Helmets must carry either the ASTM's SEl label or the Brit- ish Standards Institute EN 1384, PAS 015 label.


Maryland Jockey Club


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