For the fifth year in a row, our Governor proclaimed October to be Horse Month in Maryland. The Equiery’s data shows that there were over 60 equine or equine-adjacent events in that month alone, and both the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Tourism promoted the plethora of choices.
We surveyed our readers about their October Horse Month experience and heard that most Marylanders enjoyed the month immensely. One respondent said, “I really love all the different choices I get for events. It makes October a great month to invite out-of-state friends to visit as there is always something horse related to see, in addition to how beautiful it is here in Maryland during the fall.” An-other said, “So many fun events happen on the same weekend—its hard to make them all!” And a third shared, “Keep up the good work. The opportunities to connect and the communications were even better this year!”
One of the questions we asked was how October Horse Month could be improved. Two respon-dents commented about difficulties finding out about all of the events. One asked, “Were these events advertised all together as October Horse Month Events? At least via social media?” Another expressed a desire for “a website or one pager that listed all October events and what they offered.”
Some of our respondents put in a plug for more marketing. “I would love to see more publicity outside the equine community, especially for big events like the Maryland 5 Star!” “I think the new Maryland Horse website is good and promotion is the key to successful turnout.”
Three respondents suggested additions to the October calendar: (i) more Western events; (ii) “more educational clinics or seminars,” and (iii) active promotion of trail work days.
One respondent even had a suggestion for us: “Would like to see more articles related to all the horse events in MD in the October issue of The Equiery.”
The Maryland 5 Star and WIHS
The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill and The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) are two of the marquee events during October Horse Month. We surveyed our readers separately about their experiences at both.
The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill
Spectators at the 5 Star were effusive. Respondents described the event as “fantastic,” “fabulous,” “top knotch in all respects.” Others said it was “beautiful,” “spectacular,” “awesome.” One attendee said, “I personally feel the [Maryland] 5 Star is a better spectator experience than Kentucky.”
Other respondents complimented Jeff Newman and his team: “The overall experience is fabulous.” The “VIP experience is second to none.” “Jeff Newman and his team did a fabulous job from the vendor and stadium layouts.” One respondent said the “TV coverage on MPT was excellent.”
Respondents noticed the improvements and additions the venue had made since last year. One said “Great job…working to incorporate the Young Event Horse East Coast Championships.” Another applauded “the addition of the Real Rider Cup on Saturday after the cross country competition.” Another spectator “loved the fact that Paws for Life has a booth each year. I’ve adopted two dogs from them.” Another enjoyed the free course walk: “Bring back the free course walk as that was awesome!” And yet another praised the venue for “finally solving getting in and out of the parking lot.”
“Fair Hill is a beautiful venue!!”
“Great food! Great vendors!”
“Everything was incredible!”
Suggestions for Next Year
The most frequent suggestions from spectators were for more, and different, vendors. Comments included: “Not nearly enough food or drink vendors.” “More food and drink vendors, lines were insanely long.” “More food vendors!”
Several respondents commented on costs, “The five star apparel was very expensive.” “Need more vendors for the middle class.”
One suggested including “booths pertaining to horse care such as supplements and holistic horse care.” Another recommended including “more unique, boutique, local vendors of items that will appeal to spectators in and out of the saddle.”
Three comments were about getting around the venue. One person said that there was “not enough time to get back to the grandstands from cross country to see the Shetland Pony races.” Another suggested more people-movers, “In the last 5-6 years that I have been attending, I’ve never been able to catch one.” A disabled spectator complained about the “long wait for transport.”
Several respondents commented on the number of spectators. One said, “It’s an awesome event that I wish more Marylanders appreciated.” Another observed there was “plenty of publicity about the event on social media, [but] not sure if there was much on local television or radio.” A third respondent complained about having to pay “$45 entry fee for Saturday for only 23 5* competitors.”
One spectator requested a clearer schedule “concerning the CCI3 division. I didn’t realized it was happening earlier or I would have arrived much earlier.”
Our final spectator suggested that “NO band during the cross country…we were trying to listen to the announcer, but couldn’t hear over the music in the vendor area.”
Several respondents had creative ideas to draw attendance. One respondent said: “Have a free ticket raffle for MDA employees.” Another suggested “lower fees for non profits to exhibit” in the vendor village.
Suggestions for the Governing Bodies
The most common suggestion from our readers pertained to the governing bodies, not the venue. Spectators want to see more entries in the CCI5*-L division. “Not enough entries in the 5*,” and “Increase opportunities to encourage 5* entries.” One respondent suggested “making sure that there are no events that attract 5-star and 3-star athletes away from Maryland the week immediately before the Maryland 5 Star.” One said, “We need to promote and attract to this event European riders and West coast riders in the same way Kentucky gets entries.”
Some spectators would like more information about the competition. One suggested “a program offered…with names of horses and riders competing and the country they are from.” Another was “disappointed they didn’t publish the test riders/times as I would have loved to have watched Phillip Dutton.”
Two respondents mentioned access. “I was very disappointed that they would not allow spectators to cross the galloping lanes to watch the finish line/vet box. That is always such a learning opportunity for young eventers and it is the only opportunity many of us have to congratulate riders we know but for whom we are not among the very small number to receive support staff passes.” A second respondent complained that “the only path to the cross country course is through the vendors which makes it extremely difficult for people with pets.” That respondent also stated that “people not paying attention to their dogs in that area are a problem.”
Our favorite respondent had a single suggestion, “Knowing there will be a next year is all that is necessary.” As it happens, Rob Burk, a Marylander as well as the CEO of US Eventing, said in his survey comments:
“The United States Eventing Association stands fully in support of this event. Our team has made the Maryland 5 Star a focal point for our fall coverage since the Maryland 5 Star’s inception. We’ve been supporting the event publicly and privately and arguing for a better date and more recognition from other entities. We’ve connected the Maryland 5 Star with current and previous sponsors. We will do everything within our power to support this event, including continuing to sponsor the event.”
The Washington International Horse Show
WIHS took place from October 20 to October 26 at the ShowPlace Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center. We surveyed our readers about their experience this year and learned that the favorite events were, as always, the Shetland Pony Races, the Costume Class, and the President’s Cup. This year a new event made it onto the favorites list as well. “Kids Day was wonderful with so many free kids options outside!”
We asked spectators what they thought could be improved on next year, and the responses were predominantly about vendors, “Was hoping for more vendors,” “Like to see more,” “Need more vendors,” and “Maybe a vendor area out-side. It’s too cramped inside.”
One respondent had specific suggestions for Embassy Night: “I suggest that the stage be moved to the side center of the tent for the Embassy party. Having it at the end means that the people in the back of the tent can’t see or hear what’s going on.” A second respondent also complained that it was “hard to hear during the party.”
One respondent suggested giving spectators “some information on how hunters are judged.” Another suggested a “longer show on barn night,” while yet another said, “don’t go too late at night.”
And lastly, one respondent said she was “sad to see all the empty seats” and that it “made it feel like the equine sports are dying.”
