– first published in the June 2026 issue of The Equiery
By Shannon Habenicht, Director of Marketing & Sponsorship, Loch Moy Farm
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm — a milestone that celebrates not only the growth of the facility, but the vision, determination, and community that built it.
What began as a cow field in Frederick County has evolved into one of the busiest and most recognized eventing venues in the Mid-Atlantic. Over the past two decades, Loch Moy Farm has become a year-round equestrian destination, hosting more than 50 days of competition annually, from schooling opportunities to grassroots starter events and FEI international competition.
At the center of that growth is Carolyn Mackintosh, whose lifelong passion for horses helped shape Loch Moy Farm into what it is today. Growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, Carolyn spent weekends and summers riding and exploring her family’s farm near Sugarloaf Mountain. Throughout the years, she slowly began transforming the farm into a place dedicated to the sport she loved. Loch Moy was built step by step through hard work and a willingness to keep learning and evolving.
“I’m incredibly proud of what Loch Moy Farm and The Maryland Horse Trials have become. Every event is a reminder of how special this community is, especially our volunteers, who are the true backbone of it all. Their dedication makes every long day and every bit of hard work worthwhile,” shares Carolyn.
The first recognized Maryland Horse Trials were held in 2006. Since then, the venue has continued to expand, adding all-weather arenas, permanent stabling, and cross country schooling courses. Events have expanded to include USDF dressage shows, Twilight Eventing competitions, the highly attended unrecognized MDHT Highland Series, and the preeminent Maryland International CCI and HT, as well as The Maryland Horse Trials II and The Maryland Horse Trials III.
Today, Loch Moy Farm provides opportunities for riders at every level. Riders can begin at the grassroots level and continue developing through upper-level eventing.
“Having a facility like Loch Moy Farm in Maryland is such a huge asset to our sport. The footing, the courses, and the overall professionalism make it an incredible place to prepare horses for the biggest stages, and it’s somewhere I always feel confident bringing my horses. What I love most is that it serves every level so well. For riders coming up the levels, it gives them the chance to gain experience at a world-class venue without needing to travel all over the country. And for young horses, I honestly think Loch Moy is one of the best places to develop them. The variety of terrain, the educational tracks, and the calm, organized atmosphere really help build their confidence every time they come here. Facilities like this are so important because they don’t just support our sport, they genuinely help raise the standard of it.” — Caroline Pamukcu
Carolyn has also remained deeply committed to supporting the future of eventing beyond competition itself, including the development and promotion of American-bred event horses. Through the Bred to Event Classic, Carolyn has created opportunities for breeders, owners, and young horses to be showcased and recognized.
The Bred to Event Classic was designed to help fill an important gap in the sport by highlighting young horses with the potential for future eventing careers. It provides breeders and owners with an educational and supportive environment while encouraging the continued development of quality event horses in the United States.
Supporting breeders and young horse development has become an important part of Loch Moy’s broader mission to strengthen the future of eventing from the ground up. But perhaps the most defining characteristic of Loch Moy Farm over the past twenty years has been its sense of community.
Eventing is never built by one person alone. The volunteers who brave every kind of weather, the officials who return year after year, the riders who supported the venue in its early days, the sponsors who believed in its future, and the dedicated staff working behind the scenes have all played an essential role in Loch Moy’s success.
This year’s Maryland International will also celebrate the venue’s 20th Anniversary with an unprecedented $100,000 in FEI prize money thanks to a transformational donation made through the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation (MIEF). To support riders and continue to nurture eventing in Maryland, Carolyn created MIEF to promote, preserve, and support equestrian sport, from grassroots programs to upper-level FEI competition. MIEF also provides financial support to help dedicated riders from diverse backgrounds reach the highest levels of the sport.
Twenty years after the first Maryland Horse Trials, the farm has become more than a competition venue. It is a gathering place for riders, owners, breeders, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators who share a passion for horses and eventing.
There have been challenges along the way — difficult weather, lessons learned, and countless long days behind the scenes — but there have also been unforgettable moments: riders achieving lifelong goals, volunteers becoming family, packed cross country days, and watching generations of horses and riders grow.
As Loch Moy Farm celebrates this milestone anniversary, it also looks toward the future continuing to build opportunities for riders at every level while strengthening the sport of eventing for years to come. And after twenty years, the journey is still only beginning.
