We here at MHC and The Equiery were saddened by the news that Bev Raymond lost her battle with endometrial cancer on Saturday, Dec. 6th. She died at home at the age of 85. There will be no service or funeral, at her request.

She is survived by her husband Bob Kipp. Condolences can be sent to his home at 11850 Franklinville Road, Upper Falls, Maryland 21156, or P.O. Box 184, Upper Falls, Maryland, 21156-0184.

Earlier this year, Ross Peddicord wrote a lovely tribute to Bev, which we published on-line on August 6th and which appears again below:

by Ross Peddicord (first published on August 6, 2025)

Beverly Raymond, who earned recognition from three Maryland governors as well as national acclaim as a pioneer in equine welfare issues and the creation of organizations to improve horse industry conditions, turned 85 this year at her Orwell Farm in Upper Falls, Maryland.

In retirement she and her husband, Bob Kipp, still tend to three horses and their beloved dog Bailey at their 12-acre Baltimore County home, situated adjacent to the Gunpowder Falls State Park.

“Bev represents a long line of celebrated Maryland horse people like Col. Donald Thackerary, Elizabeth Madlener, Dorothy Troutman, and Trish Gilbert, who devoted their lives to the betterment of our state’s equine industry,” said Kathleen Tabor, a longtime friend who served with Raymond as a member of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program in the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Raymond, in retirement, was not only appointed by Maryland Governors Martin O’Malley and Larry Hogan to consecutive 4-year terms on the board, she served as its state inspector for 33 years; was instrumental in 1984 in founding the Maryland Horse Council (MHC), the industry’s umbrella organization representing all aspects of the equine industry; and was also instrumental in founding MHIB itself in 1998. In the board’s early years, she served as its volunteer executive director until Rob Burk was hired as its first full-time paid director in 2003.

In creating those organizations she worked successfully to enact legislation that made malicious cruelty to animals a felony instead of a misdemeanor, and to establish MHIB as an equine commodity board funded in part through industry contributions from feed manufacturers. She also developed programs to create the first Equine Volunteer Mounted Patrols in state and local parks and to expand the definition of agriculture in state regulations to include all horse operations.

For these efforts, and for tirelessly serving as a leading advocate for setting standards in equine welfare, rescue and adoption programs and promotion of the industry, Raymond received the Maryland Horse Council’s Anne and Gilbert Pumphrey “Unsung Hero” Award in 1999, was named MHC’s Horse Person of the Year in 2011. In 2013, the American Horse Council awarded her the prestigious national Van Ness Award, which it gives “to an individual who best emulates the dedication and commitment of Marjorie Van Ness to the improvement of the horse industry at the state level.” Former governor Parris Glendening once named her one of “Maryland’s Most Beautiful People” in a “Maryland You Are Beautiful” program.

In recent years she and Tabor certified stables to be part of MHIB’s Horse Discovery Center program, a network of 42 horse establishments in 18 counties that welcome the general public to learn about and experience horses.

“Beverly quietly, consistently and persistently has worked to better the horse world in Maryland with no regard for personal recognition or monetary reward. Just for her love of horses, ingrained in her as a child, and for its horse people and traditions.

“If it were not for Beverly, there would be no Maryland Horse Council and no Maryland Horse Industry Board today. Period.” — Crystal Brumme Pickett, MHC Board Member and founder of The Equiery.

The late Rich Wilcke, first Maryland Horse Council president, wrote “Bev was the one constant presence throughout the years of the Maryland Horse Council being formed even as it went through significant changes in its structure and bylaws to become a more effective and representative organization. No one was ever more loyal, more appreciative of everyone who gave his or her time and more trustingly open to different ways to move the organization forward.”

Wilcke also noted that “The public awareness of animal welfare related to horses has risen dramatically since MHC and MHIB were founded, as has the involvement of both private groups and state governments. Instances of tensions and accusations have also grown in proportion. In my view, Bev has been the model of how individuals in this field can be compassionate, knowledgeable and reasonable.”

Added Jim Steele, former MHIB president,” Bev is the epitome of the lifelong, dedicated horse person. She grew up riding and working in what was then called ’hack stables’ to owning her own lesson barn and becoming a certified veterinary technician. Then she took that knowledge and experience and turned it into public service. She’s done it all and along the way helped numerous people.  Horses and horse lovers would be better served if there were more Beverly Raymonds.”

Whatever Bev’s role–as a trail rider, trainer, instructor, stable inspector, equine advocate, mentor, advisor, her family’s foster sister, mounted volunteer, gardener on her own farm and chef—friends have always enjoyed Raymond’s personal touch, especially when she provided refreshments at meetings from fried chicken feasts to homemade cakes.

“For over many decades, Bev has been the backbone of Maryland’s equestrian community. We just want everyone to know how much we love and respect her.” — Kathleen Tabor, former MHIB member.