First of State’s Horse Industry
Inducted into Maryland’s Best Program

Maryland-born, -bred, or -based honored and recognized as part of agriculture

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 26, 2004) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) inducted the first horse industry representatives into the Maryland’s Best program. The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), the commodity board for Maryland’s equine industry, partnered with the Maryland’s Best program to heighten awareness about top-quality horses, and value-added providers in Maryland.

“The internationally-recognized Maryland equine industry is an important part of Maryland’s economy, with an annual economic impact of $1.5 billion,” said Agriculture Secretary Lewis R. Riley. “The Maryland’s Best program helps top-quality, local products and services stand out from the others in the region. By inducting our first horse industry members into the Maryland’s Best program, we are highlighting their excellence and the importance and diversity of Maryland’s equine industry.”

The three value-added provider inductees included:
* King T. Leatherbury – (Anne Arundel Co.) accomplished his 6,000 win as a Thoroughbred race horse trainer in 2003;
* Lana du Pont Wright – (Cecil Co.) won the 2003 Fair Hill International 100-mile endurance ride, and was the first woman to compete in the Olympic equestrian sport of Eventing in 1964; and
* Fair Hill International, Inc. – (Cecil Co.) hosted the 2003 Pan American Games Eventing Championships, which the United States won.

Three equines were inducted into the Maryland’s Best program:
* Xtra Heat – won a major $200,000 stakes at Laurel Racetrack in Maryland in February 2003. The win made Xtra Heat the all-time stakes winning filly in thoroughbred racing history:
* Riverman – (Cecil Co.) has produced offspring considered among the best sport horse animals in the world. The USDF named Riverman as the leading U.S. producer for offspring winning at the USDF/Cosequin Breeders Championship Finals in 2003; and
* Halcyon Hawthorn – (Frederick Co.) with his rider Samantha Schaefer became the 2003 National Small Pony Hunter Reserve Champion.

The inductions occurred at Laurel Park on March 6 at the Maryland Horseman’s party, which benefits Maryland’s 4-H horse programs and the overall horse industry. The party was hosted by the Maryland 4-H Foundation and the Maryland Horse Council.

The Maryland’s Best inductees have two things in common: they are born, bred, or based in Maryland, and they have brought honor and recognition to Maryland agriculture. Look for the colorful Maryland’s Best brochure to obtain information about participating horse industry members. For more information about Maryland’s Best, visit www.marylandsbest.net, or contact the MDA at 410-841-5770. For more information about MHIB, contact Rob Burk, executive director at 410-841-5861, or visit www.marylandhorseindustry.org.

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