Maryland’s “Mane” Attractions
The dog is man's best friend. The lion is king of the jungle. But in Maryland, the horse is the most noble of beasts.
Horses have played an important role in Maryland since the first settlers arrived at St. Mary's City in the mid-17th century. In those early days, the horse was essential for farming and as a mode of transportation. Although tractors and cars have taken much of the burden off horses, Maryland’s fascination with these beautiful animals has not diminished. These days, Maryland offers activities involving horses all year round -- from riding in a horse-drawn sleigh during a winter snowfall to watching a Thoroughbred race on a warm spring day. When it comes to "horsing around," Maryland offers a little bit of everything.
For information about any of the attractions or events listed here, the public may call 800-719-5900 or visit the state’s web site at
www.visitmaryland.org.
The Belair Stable Museum in the town of Bowie pays tribute to Maryland’s horseracing tradition. Built in 1907 by the Woodward family, famous in both British and American Thoroughbred racing circles, the stable now includes exhibits about Thoroughbred history and bloodlines, racing silks, trophies, a carriage collection, farm equipment and a 1923 stable master’s apartment. The farm was home to the only father-son Thoroughbreds to win the Triple Crown: Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935).
The second jewel in the Triple Crown, the Preakness, is run the third Saturday in May in Maryland. Since 1988, the state has taken advantage of this internationally known sporting event by staging a weeklong Preakness Celebration, a spectacular festival that showcases the state and builds excitement for the race. The Preakness Celebration annually attracts an audience of about half a million people. In short, the Preakness Celebration transforms a split-second horse race into an extravaganza that lasts more than a week.
Fall brings another one-of-a-kind racing event, the Maryland Million at Laurel Race Course. Founded by Marylander and ABC sportscaster Jim McKay, the 12 races showcase Maryland-bred horses competing for million-dollar state stallion stakes.
Going to a track isn’t the only way to see horses at their fastest. Equally impressive is the Maryland Hunt Cup Race, which has been taking place since 1894. Held in late April, the Hunt Cup is the oldest and most difficult steeplechase race in the country, and it annually draws competitors -- and spectators -- from around the world. Another exciting display is the Fair Hill International Three-Day Event and Carriage-Driving Championships. Held each October in Cecil County, this event attracts the top international athletes in the Olympic sports of dressage, endurance and stadium jumping. Like the steeplechases, some spectators turn out in casual attire while others don top hats, just as if they were attending the Ascot in England.
Horses are even an essential part of Maryland’s rather offbeat “official state sport,” jousting. The modern version is much less dangerous than the medieval variety, which involved knights trying to knock opponents from their horses with lances. Twentieth-century jousters face much smaller targets: tiny rings that must be speared with a lance while the rider passes at top speed. Visitors can still attend jousting tournaments throughout Maryland. A great place to see one is at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, held on weekends from late August through late October. But Medieval Times, an entertainment venue that combines dinner and a tournament at Arundel Mills mall, offers the old-fashioned variety of jousting with knights knocking each other off their mounts.
Playing the part of spectator at any of the races, shows and events is certainly a thrill, but so is climbing on a horse and blazing one's own trail. Throughout the state, riding stables rent horses to riders of all ages and skill levels and give them a new vantage point from which to explore the state's mountains, farmlands and shorelines. Perhaps the most famous of Maryland’s horses are the roaming bands of wild ponies found at Assateague Island National Seashore. Some legends say that these ponies, which were immortalized in the Marguerite Henry classic, Misty of Chincoteague, are the descendants of horses that escaped from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon. Others contend that early settlers used Assateague and other barrier islands as grazing sites for their horses in order to avoid the taxes and fencing requirements imposed on the mainland. These days, visitors to the park can pay a nominal fee to “adopt” a wild horse and take home a souvenir picture of “their” piece of Maryland’s horse history.
UPDATED 6-05
