from the Cloverleaf SOA

Temple Hills, MD — The 135th Maryland State Fair is halfway through and will wrap up on Sept. 5. This marks the second year that the Maryland Horse Industry under the leadership of Hope Birsh and Ross Peddicord have pulled together to make Horseland a success.

This year’s Standardbred Booth in Horseland has been a huge success. The Standardbred Booth is a joint collaboration between Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association, Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association, and Rosecroft Raceway. Gina Maybee from Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association has been on hand to answer questions from visitors and promote harness racing at Rosecroft Raceway and Ocean Downs.

On Sunday (Aug. 28), Mercedes Bennington and her makeover challenge partner Fast Back Eddie participated in the Grand Parade Celebration. Fast Back Eddie also visited Horseland on Aug. 30 and welcomed visitors, often by calling to them!

The All Standardbred Show took place on Monday (Aug. 29) where the big winner of the day was Makenna Amiss and her Standardbred Elegant Dreams.

On Thursday (Sept. 1), the Standardbred Booth will be hosting Horse Lovers United, as they promote and prepare for their Standardbred Makeover Challenge and their organization.

The evening’s event at 5 p.m. will be an introduction to Standardbreds and harness racing put together by Cloverleaf SOA and Teresa Willabus. It will be immediately followed by the Horse Lovers United Standardbred Makeover Challenge. The challenge consists of three trainers and their paired Standardbreds. The three teams have been together since early June and the trainers had to find the right non-racing discipline for their Standardbreds. The makeover teams include Mercedes Bennington and Eddie (Fast Back Eddie), Julia Jesu and Farah (A Kut Above), and Camille Kierstead and Stir (Stormy Stir). The makeover teams will be competing for $1,500 in prize money.

Immediately following the Standardbred Makeover, a Racing Under Saddle demonstration will be conducted by RUS America riders to demonstrate the versatility of racing Standardbreds under saddle. RUS America and Friends of Maryland Standardbreds will also be present in Horseland during the day.

Gina Maybee will continue to be promoting Standardbreds and harness racing in Horseland for the remainder of the fair. We encourage everyone to come visit us in Horseland during the Maryland State Fair.