Maryland Horse Chase- Statewide Scavenger Hunt This April

Kickoff festivities for the first Maryland Horse Chase – a statewide horse scavenger hunt designed to introduce people to the joy of horses and to showcase the state’s new network of Horse Discovery Centers – will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, April 6 at the Graham Equestrian Center, 10301 Harford Road in Glen Arm (Baltimore County). The kickoff event will include an official ribbon cutting by Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder

The Horse Chase scavenger hunt is hosted by the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The MHIB’s mission is to promote equestrian activities in Maryland. The kickoff event and all Horse Chase activities are open to all residents, including those who have limited or no experience with horses but would like more. The Maryland Horse Chase scavenger hunt runs from April 6 through April 26.

“This is an opportunity like no other to experience and get a taste of what Maryland has to offer in the world of horses,” said Tara Guevara, co-founder and executive director of The Big Purple Barn, a Horse Discovery Center and coordinator for the Maryland Horse Chase.

Those who participate in the Horse Chase will comb the state, earning points by completing 75 simple horse-related photo, action and text challenges at the 35 physical locations and online. There is also the opportunity to earn points by answering bonus challenges. Participants who earn the most points will be able to redeem them for nearly 130 horse-themed prizes. All entrants will also receive free admission tickets to the 2015 Maryland Million on October 17; horse treats provided by Flax Jax, the official Treat Sponsor of the Maryland Horse Chase, and other items.

Kick off festivities on April 6 will include horse demonstrations; booths from various horse organizations and Horse Discovery Centers; an appearance by Madison Iager, Maryland’s High School Rodeo Queen; and an opportunity to complete Chase Challenges at the Graham facility.

The Graham Equestrian Center is one of 25 Horse Discovery Centers plus five renowned Thoroughbred and harness racing tracks and breeding farms taking part in the scavenger hunt. In addition, there are five challenges at tack and feed stores across the state and 10 online challenges. The Horse Chase spans 14 counties and Baltimore City in four regions of the state – Capital, Central, Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland regions. There are a total of 35 chase locations, nearly 130 prizes and 16 statewide, regional and local sponsors.

On April 4, participants can register online at: www.marylandhorsechase.com, review the challenges first hand and read over the rules and regulations. Scavenger hunt details such as locations, a list of prizes and sponsors, can be found on the MHIB website.

Prizes represent the diversity of Maryland’s horse industry and include horse experiences from these 17 equestrian disciplines: English equitation, Western riding, trail riding, steeplechasing, polo, jousting, Thoroughbred horse racing, harness racing, carriage driving, foxhunting, pony rides, horse shows, rodeo, dressage, 3-day eventing, equine art and Maryland horse history.

In addition there are overnight stays in various parts of the state including Cecil County, Frederick, National Harbor, Berlin/Ocean City and Howard County—at hotels and bed & breakfasts owned by horse enthusiasts. Other prizes include horse apparel, an array of horse books, gift certificates and much more.

Statewide sponsors include:

• Dover Saddlery
• Flax Jax
• Horse Fare/Snobee Helmets
• Maryland Million
• Maryland Saddlery
• Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine
• Perri’s Leather
• Rosecroft Raceway
• The Equiery horse magazine

Regional Sponsors include

• Berkshire Hathaway Realtors (Central)
• McCauley Brothers Feed (Eastern Shore)
• The Feed Store LLC & Tribute Horse Feeds (Capital)

Local sponsors include:

• Azar Moving & Storage (Jewel’s Landing Farm)
• Maryland Jockey Club (Pimlico Race Course)
• The Feed Store and Tribute Feeds (The Big Purple Barn)
• The Piedmont Group (New World Stables)
• Turf Valley Resort (Clark’s Elioak Farm)

For further information visit mda.maryland.gov/horseboard or contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at ross.peddicord@maryland.gov or 410-841-5798.

A complete list and contact information for each Horse Discovery Center is online here.

For more information about the Discovery Centers or MHIB, contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at ross.peddicord@maryland.gov or 410-841-5798.