Welcome to Loch Moy Farm

by Shannon Habernicht for Loch Moy Farm

– originally published in the June 2025 issue of The Equiery –

Nestled in the heart of Maryland horse country, Loch Moy Farm is a must-visit destination for eventers across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. It is the home of the Maryland Horse Trials (MDHT), the Maryland International 1*/2*/3*/4*, and the USEA Young Riders Championships.

Loch Moy Farm, once a simple cow field, has been transformed from a family farm into one of the area’s premier eventing venues by owner and organizer—and MHC Board member—Carolyn Mackintosh. The grass dressage and show jumping arenas of the early years are now eight acres of all-weather competition rings; and the facility now has cross-country jumps ranging from Intro level to Advanced/FEI, over 120 permanent stalls, and plenty of RV hookups for competitors and spectators alike. It has been a labor of love.

Loch Moy Farm is just 15 minutes from Frederick, 30 minutes from Leesburg, and under an hour from both DC and Baltimore. It hosts over 50 events a year, plus clinics and year-round schooling for dressage, show jumping, and cross country. There’s something for every rider at Loch Moy Farm. Whether you are competing, schooling, or spectating, there is always something exciting happening here.

Carolyn relies on her team of volunteers to keep things running smoothly, and she treats them well. Volunteers get breakfast, lunch, and snacks during their shifts; and they also get their choice of a free schooling pass, a $65 gift certificate to a future unrecognized event, or a chance to win a raffle prize—including a VIP Maryland 5* event package or $1,000 cash.

As long-time volunteer Leah Fleming puts it, “I’ve volunteered at a lot of places, but it’s hard to beat the experience at Loch Moy. We have a fantastic group that comes back year after year — and that’s all because of Carolyn and her staff. I started volunteering over 10 years ago and have done just about every job. Even when I’m old and need my grandkids to drive me, I’ll still be coming to the Maryland Horse Trials.”

Carolyn’s vision for Loch Moy extends beyond competition, too. In 2022, she created the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation (MIEF), a 501(c)(3) charity that offers scholarships for junior, amateur, and FEI-level riders. This year, MIEF is also raising money for travel grants to support U.S. and international athletes aiming for the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Carolyn also supports local charities like Great and Small, Gallop for Life, the VFW, and area pony clubs. Visit for yourself to see what makes Loch Moy so special.

Plan your visit at: marylandhorsetrials.com.

Maryland International CCI and HT + Young Rider Championships

Loch Moy Farm will host 3 USEA/USEF events this year: the Maryland International CCI and HT + USEF Young Rider Championships (YRC), the Maryland Horse Trials II + Young Event Horse Qualifier, and the Maryland Horse Trials III + Area II Championships.

The Maryland International CCI is a qualifier event for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing. The Maryland International Planning Committee has increased the prize money this year to $30,000 for the CCI 1*, 2*, 3*, and 4*, thanks to the generous support of the CCI4*-S sponsor Triple Crown Feed, the CCI3*-S sponsor Land Rover West Columbia, the CCI2*-S sponsor The Baldwin Group, and CCI1*-S sponsor Overhead Doors of Frederick. The Baldwin Group and Overhead Doors of Frederick join Triple Crown and Land West Columbia as FEI-level sponsors. The official Main Arena sponsor is TRUTEX Equestrian, and the start box sponsor for all levels is Horse Sport Maryland. The event is free, and spectators are encouraged to enjoy a day at the farm watching some of the best eventers in the world.

This year, Loch Moy Farm welcomes its new cross county course designer, Andrew Heffernan, for the CCI competitions. He has designed up to CCI4* level in the UK, where he is currently the course designer for the prestigious Bramham Park Horse Trials. Heffernan’s courses are known for challenging the technicality, athleticism, and artistry of the sport to thrill the competitors and spectators alike. There will also be 25 new obstacles on this year’s course. For the second year, the YRC will run in conjunction with the Maryland International with eventers 25 years of age and younger from the USA and Canada competing in levels from CCI1* to CCI3*-S. The USEA areas field teams from their Young Riders Programs to compete at these Championships. The Young Riders had to achieve Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERS) between January 1, 2024 and May 25, 2025 in order to qualify.

On Course at Loch Moy Farm

The popular Dover Saddlery MDHT Highland Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, is an unrecognized horse trial series comprised of six competitions each year with a year-end Championship in November. The series is a learning opportunity for horses and riders, young and old, to get accustomed to a new level, or the sport in general, in a safe and welcoming environment.

Over 300 riders compete at each phase (dressage, show jumping, and cross country) at each level from Lead Line through Preliminary. Riders need not be members of the USEA or USEF to enter.

The Horse Sport Maryland Bred-to-Event Classic is Loch Moy’s newest series, one dedicated to purpose-bred breeding of event horses. The Bred-to-Event Classic awards special prizes for US-bred horses, Maryland-bred horses, and split among breeders, owners, and riders/handlers. The qualifiers are on July 27, August 23, and September 12, followed by a Championship on September 13 through 14.

Loch Moy hosts six USDF recognized dressage shows as well as an innovative and informal “Pick Your Time, Pick Your Test Dressage, and Blue-Ribbon Show Jump Rounds” series. The PYT series allows competitors to choose the ride time that works best for them to ride their test of choice and also offers first come, first served show jumping rounds at heights running up to 3’6”. Loch Moy also offers Twilight Eventing in the warmer months, which are low-key schooling days with all three phases.

Lastly, Loch Moy’s all-weather rings allow cross derby competitions and cross county schooling over banks, ditches and water all winter. Loch Moy’s cross country schooling course and galloping g track is also open year-round.

Enhance your Maryland International CCI and HT experience with tickets to the Highland Club!

 The Highland Club provides panoramic views of international competitors as they tackle dressage, show jumping, and cross country, including a bird’s-eye view of the cross country and show jumping courses from the Highland Tower. Loch Moy Farm will host “Donuts, Desserts and Dressage” on the Tower on Friday, Jun 27. There will be “Brunch on the Berm” in the Highland Club tent on Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29. Brunch includes breakfast and lunch options, and complimentary Mimosas, Bloody Marys, wine, beer, and beverages. Highland Club Member tickets and tables of eight are available.