Congratulations are in order for MHC Industry Professional member Jennifer Sulin-Stair of Plot Twist Horse Farm, who has been appointed by Governor Moore to the Trails and Recreational Riding seat on the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB). Her term will last for four years.
MHIB is housed within the Maryland Department of Agriculture and is the commodities board for the horse industry. Part of its statutory mission is to advise the Administration about issues that affect the horse industry, and to help grow the industry overall.
Sulin-Stair is an excellent choice to serve in that role. As we reported in these pages in 2018, she started Plot Twist Horse Farm after a career in health education, and describes her decision to switch careers as an important “Plot Twist” in her life. She now offers weekly lessons for beginners aged five and up at her farm’s Glenwood location.
Sulin-Stair began riding 35 years ago in the Howard County Pony Club, and later groomed and rode for Kimberly Stewart of Glenwillow Farm on the “A” circuit. She still rides competitively, and most recently was the Reserve Champion in the Green Horse division in the BEST show series.
In addition to Sulin-Stair, another MHC Industry Professional member, Erin Ochoa, CEO of Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR), has been reappointed to another four-year term as the Humane Societies representative to MHIB. Ochoa is a native Marylander who grew up in U.S. Pony Club and riding with the Potomac Valley Dressage Association. She is a Certified Public Manager through the University of Baltimore as well as a Certified Equine Investigator and Animal Control Officer. She testifies regularly in criminal equine neglect and abuse cases all over Maryland. DEFHR in general, and Ochoa specifically, are terrific advocates for horses in our state, and we are thrilled that Governor Moore understands and values their important contributions.
The following individuals are also new appointees to MHIB:
• Sheila Curry, Strategic Partnerships in the Office of the Prince George’s County Executive, to fill the Organized Shows and Competitions seat;
• Adrian Ford, The Big Easy Farm, to fill the Licensed Boarding and Riding Stables seat;
• Connie Sawyer, Broadcast Production Director at the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, to fill the Equine Support Industries seat;
• Jenile Tapscott, Thoroughbred trainer, to fill the Thoroughbred Industry seat; and
• Lisa Watts, Rosecroft Raceway, to fill the Standardbred Industry seat.
In addition, Governor Moore has re-appointed MHC Board member Dr. Amy Burk to the Equine Academics seat.
Neil Agate (representing MHC), Jay Griswold (representing the General Public), and Dr. Justin Sobota (representing Equine Veterinarian) will remain on MHIB until their terms expire in June, 2024.
