Governor’s Cup Standings with One Race Left

After the Howard County Cup on May 4, several of the Governor’s Cup series standings have changed and with one race left (Potomac on May 19), the race for series-end awards is almost up. Below is a current summary of standings. For more information, visit www.marylandsteeplechasing.org.

Horse of the Year
Foyle moves into the lead with 12 points. After Garryowen Star won the Howard County Cup Open Timber, he has moved into second with 10 points. Prospectors Strike, Moonsox and Alfa Beat all have 6.5 points.

Novice Timber Horse
Spencer Road still leads the division with 7 points by Ebanour is close in second with 6.5 points. Class Brahms, Old TImer and New Level all have 6 points.

Amateur Apprentice Timber Horse & Rider
These standings have not changed with Nick Carter still tied for first with Snow Blizzard and Terko Service. Justin Batoff and Martin Rohan each have 3 points.

Leading Trainer
Blythe Miller Davies has moved into the lead with 18 points. H. Bruce Fenwick is now in second with 16 points as is Lousi Neilson, III.

Leading Rider
James Slater continues to lead the Overall, Timber and Amateur standings. Martin Rohan won twice at Howard and now is second on all three lists. Nick Carter is third.

Leading Female Jockey
Diana Gillam increases her lead in this division to 10 points with Blair Wyatt in second with 6.5 points. Sara Katz, Blythe Miller Davies and Amelia McGuirk each have 6 points.

Foxhunter Timber
The standings remain the same here with Forrest Kelly and Nick Carter tied with 6 points and Mark Beecher has 3 points.

Lady Timber
Blythe Miller Davies and Sara Katz remained tied in the lead with 6 points while Sarah Shaffer still has 3 points.

Junior Horse – TB
Gabrielle Bernier continues to dominate this division now with 18 points. Heather Rohwan has 9 points and moves ahead of Erin Swope who has 4 points.

Junior Horse – Non TB
There is now a three-way tie for first between John Brophy, Saddiq Myers and Amanda Howe, each with 6 points.

Small Pony
Kellie Witte’s lead in the Small Ponies has increased greatly and she now has 30 points. Charlie Mourier moves into second with 7 points. Elizabeth Scully and Maggie Holloway each have 6 points.

Medium Pony
Anastasia Vialov keeps on winning and hold her lead with 21 points. Taylor Leatherman moves into second with 19 points and Hannah O’Brian is in third with 10.

Large Pony
Gabrielle Bernier is still leading this division as well and is up to 24 points. Erin Swope stays in second with 19 and John Brophy moves into third with 6 points.

Overall Pony Rider
Gabrielle Bernier has taken the lead with 42 points over Kellie Witte who has 30 points. Erin Swope is still in the running with 22 points.

 

 

Look in the May Equiery for More Steeplechase Photos

The May issue is now in stores! Grab your copy today to see even more photos from Spring races. Looking for a new career for your Thoroughbred? Check out the new Thoroughbred Alliance Show Series featured in this issue. Plus, heading to Black-Eyed Susan or Preakness this year? Find a Preakness Preview in the May issue as well and read about the faces behind the Preakness Stakes.

Professor Maxwell Wins the Maryland Hunt Cup

Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.’s Professor Maxwell lead early on at the Maryland Hunt Cup on April 27 in Glyndon. Near the middle of the course, jockey Mark Beecher lost an iron but stuck with the 1999 bay gelding by Buckhar and out of Pas De Basque and regained the lead coming to the last few fences. Together they won for trainer Richard Valentine by 3-lenghts after finishing fourth at the 2012 Maryland Hunt Cup. Kinross Farm’s Sand Box Rules with Diana Gillam in the irons came in second for trainer Neil Morris. Guts for Garters finished third for owner FOXY Stable and trainer Sanna Hendriks with Jody Petty on board. Fourth was Twill Do (James Stierhoff, Lucy A. Goelet, William Meister), fifth was Bon Caddo (Michael Ennis, Merriefield Farm, H. Bruce Fenwick) and sixth was Woodmont (Martin Rohan, Kinross Farm, Neil Morris). Fort Henry fell mid-way through the course and Brands Hatch, Catch the Echo, Bug Eyed Willy, Prospectors Strike and Battle Op all lost riders at some point during the race.

Here are just a few photos of Professor Maxwell from the pre-race paddock to the winner’s circle. More photos added 4/30/13 and 5/7/13.

16 Horses Nominated for This Saturday’s Maryland Hunt Cup

Don’t forget, the Maryland Hunt Cup is this Saturday, April 27! Details can be found here. Below is a list of Hunt Cup Nominated horses and a little bit about each horse’s 2013 season so far.

AND THE EAGLE FLYS – After falling at last year’s Hunt Cup, the 2002 chestnut gelding by Double Honor and out of Slick Mountain finished third this year in the Open Timber at Brandywine Hills Point to Point for owner Mrs. William Class, Jr. and trainer William Meister.

BATTLE OP – Northwoods Stable’s Maryland-bred 2000 grey/roan gelding by Ops Smile and out of Allepia is out for revenge this year having finished second at last year’s Hunt Cup. Connor Hankin has remained in the irons this season with Jack Fisher taking over as trainer. Battle Op finished third at the Willowdale Steeplechase Amateur race, a second at the Foxhall Farm Cup Team Chase, fifth in the Open Timber at Elkridge-Harford and third in the Timber Stakes at the Grand National.

BON CADDO – Merriefield Farm’s 2001 bay gelding by Bon Point and Out of Tactical Info finished third in the 2012 Hunt Cup. Now with trainer H. Bruce Fenwick, Bon Caddo finished third in the Timber Stakes at My Lady’s Manor.

BRANDS HATCH – This 2001 bay gelding by A.P. Indy and out of Watch Out is making his Hunt Cup debut this year for owner Gerry Brewster and trainer Blythe Miller Davies. Davies rode him herself to win the Lady Rider Timber at Elkridge-Harford before handing the reins over to Jackson Roberts who finished sixth in the Timber Stakes at the Grand National Steeplechase.

BUG EYED WILLY – NoGo Stable’s 2003 dark bay gelding by Lion Hearted and out of Bug Eyed Betty finished fifth in the Novice Timber at Brandywine and fifth in the Allowance Timber at the Grand National for trainer William Meister with Suzanne Stettinius in the irons.

CATCH THE ECHO – This 2004 bay gelding by Eastern Echo and out of Catch The Varmit is the second nominated horse for the Brewster/Davies pair. With Jeb Hannum in the irons, the gelding finished fourth in the Heavyweight Timber at Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds Point to Point, fifth in the Maiden Timber at My Lady’s Manor and third in the Allowance Timber at the Grand National.

FORT HENRY – The 2001 bay gelding by Zaffaran out of You Name It finished fifth in last year’s Hunt Cup and this year finished seventh in the Open Timber at Elkridge-Harford and fourth in the Timber Stakes at the Grand National with Ivan Dowling up for Welcome Here Farm, LLC and trainer Blythe Miller Davies.

FOYLE – The 2005 Maryland-bred dark bay gelding by Yarrow Brae and out of Londonderry is the youngest horse in this year’s Hunt Cup. Christopher Read rode the gelding owned by Merriefield Farm to a second place finish at Piedmont in the Open Timber. James Slater rode him to win the Open Timber at Elkridge-Harford for trainer H. Bruce Fenwick.

HADDIX – This 2002 dark bay gelding by Deputy Commander and out of Dysham is no stranger to the Hunt Cup having run in 2011 and 2012, however lost his ride both times. The Armata Stables gelding finished fifth this year in the Amateur Highweight Timber at My Lady’s Manor for trainer Katherine Neilson.

JUSTPOURIT – The 1999 Irish bred bay gelding by Glacial Storm and out of Gale Choice finished second twice so far this season (Amateur Highweight at Piedmont and Heavyweight Timber at Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire) for trainer Richard Valentine and owner Lucy Stable. He also finished fourth in the Amateur Highweight at My Lady’s Manor and fifth in the Timber Stakes at the Grand National.

PRIVATE ATTACK – Sportsmans Hall’s 1999 dark bay gelding by Private Interview and out of Ruby Sunset may be considered this year’s Hunt Cup veteran having run in it four times already, including a second place finish in 2010 and winning in 2011. This year, he finished sixth in the Open Timber at Elkridge-Harford for trainer Alicia Murphy.

PROFESSOR MAXWELL – The 1999 bay gelding owned by Mrs. George Ohrstrom, Jr and trained by Richard Valentine is by Buckhar and out of Pas De Basque. He finished fourth at the 2012 Hunt Cup and this year finished second in the Open Timber at Brandywine.

PROSPECTORS STRIKE – This 1999 bay gelding by Smart Strike and out of Zuri lost his rider at the 2010 and 2011 Hunt Cups and finished sixth in 2012 but this year has had a strong start. The gelding owned by Jeremy Batoff and trained by Jack Fisher was on the second place team at Foxhall and then won the Open Timber at Green Spring. He also finished second in the Amateur Highweight at My Lady’s Manor.

SAND BOX RULES – Kinross Farm’s 2004 dark bay gelding is by Outofthebox and out of Lady Engisn. He won for trainer Neil Morris at Orange County in the Open Timber and this finished fourth in the Timber Stakes at My Lady’s Manor.

TWILL DO – Will is be two year’s in a row for Lucy Goelet’s 2000 bay gelding by Yarrow Brae and out of A Little Wild? The Maryland-bred already has won the Hunt Cup in 2012 and 2010, both times with James Stierhoff in the irons for trainer William Meister. This year, Twill Do won the Open Timber at Brandywine and finished seventh in the Timber Stakes at the Grand National.

VOLER BAR NUIT – This 2001 Maryland-bred chestnut gelding was bred by trainer William Meister and is by Lord Concorde and out of Don’t Ask. He finished second in the Allowance Timber at the Grand National this year and is making his Hunt Cup debut for owner Mrs. William Class, Jr.

Governor’s Cup Standings!

We are half way through the Maryland Steeplechase Association’s Governor’s Cup Series with only four races left to go. To find out who won what, go to www.marylandsteeplechasing.org and click on each race. Below you will find current standings as of April 22. Grab a May Equiery on May 1st at one of these locations for more photos from spring races.
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A plea to Maryland Foxhunting Attorneys: Please join the MSBA Animal Law Section and/or attend the Animal Law Symposium

Dear Maryland Foxhunters:

Most of you know me as the publisher of The Equiery and an active member of the Maryland Horse Council. But – as many of you also know, I am also a Maryland foxhunter–or foxchaser, if we want to use the term that is legally applied to our sport in Maryland.

Because of the publication and because of my legislative activity with the Horse Council, I am keenly aware of the challenges facing our sport in Maryland’s contemporary legal and political climate.

The MFHA and executive director Dennis Foster strive to make sure that all foxhunters are very aware that there is a crucial philosophical battle being waged in state governments all over the U.S., and that is the battle over how we legally define our relationship with animals.

As foxhunters, we tend to subscribe to the traditional perspective that we, as humans, have a responsibility ensure the welfare of animals, but we believe that there is a fundamental difference between humans and animals. We can be–and should be–considered the original proponents of animal welfare.

However, the animal rights movement believes that animals should be equal to humans in all matters, that any use of any animal for any reason (including riding or showing) constitutes speciesism, which they believe is akin to racism and slavery and is morally untenable.

Animal rights activists seek to make fundamental changes in our laws, often under the auspices of welfare. These fundamental changes include attempting to eliminate the ability to own animals, replacing ownership with “guardianship” and redefining pets (which can be owned) as companion animals, and redefining horses (currently considered livestock, which provides the legal premise for our disease control) also as companion animals instead of livestock. The Maryland Horse Council, the American Horse Council, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Masters of the Fox Hounds Association are all opposed to attempts to convert the legal definition of horses from livestock to companion animals.

The efforts to change legal definitions are seen in dramatic state-wide bills, but also as minor changes, to county codes, to zoning laws, to liability laws, to funding mechanisms–in many innocuous ways that further entrench the philosophy of animal rights (as opposed to animal welfare).

The MFHA, and again, Dennis Foster in particular, work hard to make sure that we, as foxhunters, are aware of which well-funded national organizations (most notably PETA and HSUS) are steadily working behind the scenes via grassroots means to effect these changes. They make sure they are serving on advisory committees prior to the creation of any legislation.

And that is why I am writing to you today.

Maryland foxhunters, particularly foxhunting attorneys, can make a difference, but it is crucial that foxhunters become involved behind the scenes, long before ideas get turned into legislation, which then gets turned into law.

There are currently two critical opportunities for Maryland foxhunting attorneys to make a difference.

The first is to attend the 4th Annual Animal Law Symposium, hosted by the Maryland State Bar Association on April 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Baltimore.  One need not be a lawyer to attend the Symposium; any foxhunter, or any animal-industry professional with an interest in animal-related laws can attend.  I attended the symposium last year, and it was disheartening. For every “animal welfare” proponent at the meeting, there were at least five to eight “animal-rights” leaning proponents there, enough so that the lunch committee abandoned any pretense of providing food options for vegans/vegetarians vs. omnivores, catering exclusively to the vegan/vegetarian majority.  We need more omnivores attending the symposium! We need more legally minded foxhunters to attend this seminar, particular this year, as some of the topics involve our quarry! 2013 topics include:

Wildlife Issues:  Coyote and Fox Penning and Wildlife Trade
Implications of Strict Liability & Solesky on Companion Animals and Service Animals
Developments to Protect Commercially Bred Dogs and Egg-Laying Hens on Farms
Dealing with Media, Public Pressure, and Scrutiny in Animal Cruelty Cases
Damages in Dog Bite and Other Animal-Related Litigation
The seminar fee is only $55 to attend this seminar, and it includes lunch (hopefully not just a vegan lunch this year). My attorney friends who do attend this symposium tell me to avoid registering online and to call 410-685-7878 instead, credit card in hand, and register over the phone.

The second opportunity is that we need sporting lawyers to join the MSBA’s Animal Law Section.

Equine industry lawyers who have served on the MSBA’s Animal Law Section report with frustration the increasing number of animal rights-minded attorneys joining, and the decreasing number of animal welfare-minded attorneys, and this is where we are having a fundamental problem. The MSBA Animal Law Section is often asked to advise and comment on potential legislation while it is still in the developmental phases, before a bill is even entered. The Animal Law Section has the opportunity to influence animal-related legislation behind the scenes. Otherwise, we are left to be merely reactive once the bill is in the hopper, and that puts us at a distinct disadvantage.

We need more animal-industry lawyers on the MSBA’s Animal Law Section.  So, please, if you are a foxhunting Maryland attorney, please join the MSBA Animal Law Section. For more information, please visit http://www.msba.org/sec_comm/sections/animallaw/

Please share this with other foxhunters, and help to recruit attorneys willing to help in this effort.

Thank you.

Crystal B. Kimball

Publisher, The Equiery

Maryland Foxhunter

For a definition of speciesism please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speciesism

Foxhall Champs

The Foxhall Team Chase (March 17, 2013) Fast Time was won once again by members of Green Spring Valley Hounds with Carrollton Hounds taking home the Average Time award. For more of Bob Keller’s photos from Foxhall, click here. Don’t forget the Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point is this Saturday! For details, click here.

Maryland Hunt Cup Preview

The following is a list of early nominations for the 2013 Maryland Hunt Cup, scheduled for April 27. For more information and to buy tickets, go to www.marylandsteeplechasing.org.

AND THE EAGLE FLYS (Meister)
BATTLE OP (Fisher)
BON CADDO (Williams)
BRANDS HATCH (B. Davies)
BUG EYED WILLY (Meister),
CATCH THE ECHO (B. Davies),
FORT HENRY (B. Davies),
FOYLE (Williams),
HADDIX (K.Neilson),
JUSTPOURIT (Valentine),
PRIVATE ATTACK (A. Murphy),
PROFESSOR MAXWELL (Valentine),
PROSPECTORS STRIKE (Fisher),
TWILL DO (Meister),
VOLER BAR NUIT (Meister).

And they’re off! The Maryland 2013 Steeplechase Season has begun!

The 2013 Maryland Steeplechase Season officially kicks off this weekend with the Foxhall Farm Cup Team Chase, hosted by Green Spring Valley Hounds. For details, please see http://marylandsteeplechasing.com.

Maybe the unseasonably warm weather is a good harbinger for the season, as are the record 41 entries in this year’s Foxhall (compared to 30 last year).

Immediately following the conclusion of the Team Chase will be the annual Tea, held in or adjacent to the club, depending upon the weather. The organizers of the Foxhall have graciously invited the Maryland Horse Industry Board to present its March Touch of Class awards at the Tea, immediately following the presentation of the Foxhall Farm and Full Cry perpetual trophies.

The MHIB established the Touch of Class Award in 2011 to honor Maryland horses, individuals, teams, organizations or events that demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in the Maryland Horse Industry. The award is given out monthly and is named after a Maryland-bred mare that won two Olympic show jumping gold medals and currently holds the Olympic record for number of clean jumping rounds in an Olympic competition.

For the award presentations, we usually have in attendance a representative from the Governor’s office as well as the Secretary of Agriculture, Buddy Hance.

The March 2013 Touch of Class award recipients are

Irvin Naylor of Stillwater Farm in Glyndon, the nation’s leading steeplechase owner for the third consecutive year. His stable, which received a Touch of Class Award in 2011, sent out 13 winners in 2012, earning $449,075.

Jack Fisher of Monkton, the nation’s leading trainer for the sixth time. Fisher’s horses, which he trains for a variety of owners, made 90 starts, winning 16 races and collectively earning $453,645.

Ross Geraghty and Mark Beecher, also of Monkton, the nation’s leading jockey and apprentice jockey, respectively.  Geraghty and Beecher, both Irish-born, now make their homes in Maryland. Geraghty led the nation’s jump jockeys by winning 17 races with earnings of $444,950. Beecher was the top apprentice, winning seven races and $123,525.

Incomplete, a champion U.S. timber horse. Incomplete is owned by Bob Kinsley, Jt.-Master of Foxhounds of the Elkridge-Harford Hounds in Harford County. Incomplete is trained by Anne Stewart in Baltimore County. Incomplete, a 12 year-old, Maryland-bred gelding, was undefeated in three 2012 timber races, winning in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. His wins included the My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase, the Virginia Gold Cup and earnings of $84,000.

Blythe Miller Davies of Monkton, trainer of Pierrot Lunaire, the year’s overall national champion steeplechaser. Ms. Davies began training Pierrot Lunaire in late spring 2012. Under her handling, the horse won back-to-back Grade I steeplechases — The Lonesome Glory Stakes at Belmont Park (NY) and the Grand National in Fair Hills (NJ). He was the sport’s leading money-winning horse with $253,000 in yearly earnings.
During the Tea, MHIB will also present the February 2013 Touch of Class Awards to the following Marylanders:

Sally Steinmetz of Rose Haven Farm Ponies in Havre de Grace. Ms. Steinmetz is an owner and breeder of three national champion Welsh ponies. She owns and breeds Rose Haven Talisman, who was the national champion Welsh Pony Stallion in 2011-12. She also owns and exhibits two of his national champion offspring—(1) Rose Haven Magic Rain, Welsh pony hunter champion, and (2) Rose Haven Minuet, Welsh pony pleasure champion. All of these awards were earned in 2012 in the Welsh Pony division of the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) national standings.

Dr. Margaret Hoffecker and her husband John Almond of Monkton, who breed national champion ponies at their farm, Loafers Lodge Ponies, near Monkton in Baltimore County. The farm bred eight ponies that competed in the national U.S. Pony Finals last summer at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. One of their homebreds, Loafers Lodge Classic Jazz (whose show name is “Frosted”), was named Medium Green Pony Champion and was ridden by Maddie Schaefer from Westminster.

For a complete list of Touch of Class winners, please see: www.mda.maryland.gov/horseboard/Pages/touch_of_class.aspx

Cash Awards & Incentives

$1,000 Cash Awards for Maryland Timber Horses!
$500 Bonus for Leading Maryland-bred Timber Horse by points earned in all timber races in the Series; $500 Bonus for Leading Maryland Million-sired Timber Horse by points earned in all timber races in the Series. Cash awards provided by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and the Maryland Million, Ltd.

Hunt Cup Incentives
The organizers of the $75,000 Maryland Hunt Cup, the most prestigious timber race in the world, are offering early nomination incentives. See Conditions Book for more information.

$7,500 Novice Timber
The Howard County Cup Races are ramping it up, offering a $7,500 purse for its novice timber, to compliment the $10,000 purse for its open timber, The Howard County Cup.  In addition, organizers are offering a $1,000 trainer’s award for the trainer with the most combined starts in the open and novice timber races.

New Governor’s Cup Series Award: The Amateur Apprentice Timber Horse & Rider Champion
This award will be presented to the horse and rider which accumulates the most points in amateur/apprentice timber races and which meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: $500 and a keeper trophy. Inaugural awards sponsored by Michael Wharton.  The current qualifying races are the My Lady’s Manor John D. Schapiro Memorial and The Grand National’s Western Run Plate.

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