. . . And a Hearty Heigh-ho, Howard!! (Another Horse in the Hunt)

Perhaps it is the lively discussion about zoning bees in Howard County, but we feel as if we stirred up a major hive. Buzzing came fast and furious to our remarks about Prince George’s County and their pitch for the Maryland Horse Park.

According to the swarm, we quite unexpectedly stepped into a nutrient pile.

So, Equine Enthusiasts, in the spirit of fair play (which we always espouse at H2P) we will tell you about Howard County’s EARLIER (their emphasis) plans to be the home of a Maryland Horse Park.

Way back in 2007, the Howard County Council appointed a task force consisting of horse people along with county planning, agricultural and economic development officials, to study the prospects of a horse park and even suggest potential locations for it.

 

Their report builds on the findings in the original MSA feasibility study completed in 2006 and they make some very compelling points about why Howard County, using existing facilities and based on their central geographic location, should be the home of the horse park. They also draw some interesting conclusions about the economic and environmental benefits such a facility would bring to our state.

In fact, as one advocate observed, Howard County is the “Middleburg of Maryland.”

This very insightful report, which you can access here, was completed in 2008.

So thank you, Gentle Reader, for bringing this to our attention. And please remember to share your thoughts with Ross Peddicord at the Maryland Horse Industry Board.

( Now put away your stinger and buzz home to the hive.)

Since You Asked . . . About Maryland Horse Park

Nothing has prompted so much response as the recent suggestion (albeit indirectly) that the prospect of a Maryland Horse Park may be back in the ring once again.

Terry hears more whispers than most, and not just because the horse industry is such a bastion of sports and recreation in Maryland.  Because he spent many years in Kentucky, working with the industry in Louisville and particularly promoting their fabled Horse Park in Lexington, he has become somewhat the de facto source for input about a Maryland based facility.

And so, Kind Querier, to clear up any misperception about where such interest and enthusiasm should be directed, we went right to the horses’ mouthpiece.

Allow us to introduce Ross Peddicord, newly appointed Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board.  He has taken the reins at this important function within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, promoting the industry and use of horses for recreation.

His extensive background of 30 years in the equine world includes Thoroughbred racing and breeding operations, and riding in amateur steeplechase races.  He was the co-founder of Maryland Life Magazine and serves on the Maryland Tourism Council, Howard County Tourism and Promotion Council, and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts.

In other words, he has the tourism and PR angles covered.  The horses are in good hands.

In response to our inquiry about the Maryland Horse Park prospects, Mr. Peddicord responded:

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In August 2009, over 300 leaders and a wide variety of horse folks, including the Governor, convened at the Prince Georges Equestrian Center for the second Maryland Horse Industry Summit. The number one initiative folks felt that could move the industry forward is the creation of a Maryland Horse Park.

So it is something that the Maryland Horse Industry Board, the equine arm of the Md. Dept. of Agriculture, feels that they are obligated, and are also excited, to explore. Right now it’s just in the very preliminary stages of exploration, but its an idea that is germinating among the board and the segments of the industry that they represent.

The Board just released the data from the 2010 equine census and the figures back up the resilience and vibrancy of the state’s equine industry, even in tough economic times. The best thing anyone in the state’s equestrian community can do to get involved is to be plugged into the activities of the Md. Horse Industry Board (http://www.marylandhorseindustry.org/)  and to join the Maryland Horse Council (http://www.mdhorsecouncil.org/).

The Horse Council is a very pro-active grassroots organization comprised of representatives of nearly 50 breed and horse event organizations throughout the state.
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Mr. Peddicord can be reached at his office in Annapolis.  Here is his contact information:
Phone: 410-841-5798
Cell: 240-344-0000
Fax: 410-841-5780
Email: peddicrd@mda.state.md.us

So give him your thoughts and share your ideas.  And keep those letters coming.  Tweety is still on deck, awaiting her chance at bat.

NOTE:  If you would like to learn more about the economic impact of a Maryland Horse Park, you can review the analysis performed in 2006, which evaluated the job creation and revenue generation potential of a Maryland facility.  Here is the full feasibility study performed by the Maryland Stadium Authority, which contains even more information about the importance of the industry throughout the state.