Impressive and Relevant – Southern Maryland Horse Summit

They had me at the word, horse. As you know, this blog addresses horse matters and events as it does pointe shoes, violins, galas, and oil paints. With an early spring, the timing for this event was ideal. The Annapolis, Maryland venue was fantastic. What could be better than discussing and updating on  all things horse at the Chesapeake Bay?

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The March 8, 2019 Summit was packed with useful and relevant information from experienced horse professionals who shared their best practices and information. The attendees were well versed horse-people who asked important and stimulating questions. Every attendee received a useful bucket in their choice of color to collect and carry promotional items during the day. These buckets are a horse person’s favorite carry-all around the barn.

Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive, former race horse trainer,  and Founder of the Retired Racehorse Project gave the opening remarks. His talk about advocacy of the horse industry and its huge growth potential was well times and well received. He stressed the importance of horses on our environment, farm stewardship, and that, “Horses make people better people.” A major takeaway from his speech was that, “Well managed horses pastures are second only to forests with respect to water absorption and filtration of nutrients. Horse pastures stores carbon.”

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In all, twelve topics were discussed in three ball rooms. The topics ranged from how to choose the tight bit for the horse; to legal matters concerning the equestrian industry and individual horse owner; to weight management of the horse; disease control; barn management; finding the right horse; saddle shopping; horse show preparation, and the importance of self-talk with respect to one’s relationship with their horse and its performance. The topics were addressed in significant depth and important resources were shared for further reference. The participants and speakers engaged in important exchanges following the presentation. After spending most of my life loving and riding horses, I walked away with a new bit for my pony because I learned that a broken snaffle bit is not at all in the horse’s best interest. Thanks to Hope Bish’s talk and demonstration of the actual action of a bit in the horse’s mouth, we selected a more suitable bit. Finding a non-snaffle bit for a pony can be a trick. Hope solved my dilemma. From the moment that I placed it in his mouth, there was relief and relaxation.

The event organization was impressively professional from the registration process to the delightful breakfast and lunch buffets, the timeliness of the events and speakers, and the overall value of the information and connections made. As a Virginia resident, I took many ideas back to my area to share with our horse councils and elected officials.

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In Maryland, according to the American Horse Council Foundation Institute for Governmental Services an Research University of Maryland  (2017 and based on the Maryland Equine Census USDA 2010), “The horse industry economic impact is  $2.1 Billion with 101,457 horses on 705,000 acres. Horse farms make up 10 percent of Maryland land. The scientific findings are that “pastures are among the best filtering devices to protect the Chesapeake Bay from harmful runoff.”

While just the individual seminars were priceless, the day’s keynote address was given by  international top three-day eventing rider, Lynn Symansky. I have had the good fortune to watch Lynn develop into the incredible horsewoman and competitive rider from her childhood. Now that she is a top professional, it is an honor for my business to be among her financial sponsors. Lynn’s humble manner comes from her primary focus on the welfare of her horses and their correct and patient development.

Lynn has ridden in most, if not all, CCI 5 ***** event venues throughout the world as a Team USA member and individually. She holds a number of Team USA gold medals and has placed in top-ten many of the world’s most difficult competitions. In addition to developing her own horses, she teaches and coaches. Her relentless focus and grit were explained in her presentation, “My Snow Day Philosophy: How Horses Have Taught Me to Expect the Worst but Hope for the Best.” A Virginia rider, Lynn rose through the rank of the US Pony Club from an aspiring child to an A level equestrian. Her determination to “do it right,” is well rewarded by her immense success.  Her presentation compared students who did or did not do their homework in anticipation of a snow day. Those who were underprepared awoke to clean roads only to go to school with their homework incomplete. Those who expected to have to hand in their homework would awaken to snow-covered roads and a day at home to get ahead for the next school day’s assignments. Her presentation certainly touched all participants’ plans. Lynn lives her plans unwaveringly.

It is in the preparation that competitions are won – Lynn Symansky has that down to a science. Images from the July 2018 Great Meadow International – Lynn and Donnor. PC: Krasi Henkel

It is with great gratitude that I am able to share this event with my readers. The organizers, in their first such event, presented a professional, beneficial and memorable event.