Invest in Md. horse industry, not racing

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A few years ago this board questioned the $375 million deal to keep the Preakness at Pimlico due to several concerns — cost to taxpayers, declining support among the public and the questionable future of horse racing in Maryland.

The 2020 law passed committing more than $400 million to the deal, but due to rising costs, inflation, and renovation changes the money secured is not enough and the plans for redevelopment of Pimlico and Laurel race tracks are on hold. The future of horse racing remains uncertain but with the horse industry contributing over $2  billion dollars a year to Maryland’s economy, the state should look elsewhere in the horse world to invest money.

Horse racing is only one part of this $2 billion horse business, with many other disciplines that serve diverse and inclusive populations. According to a recent Maryland Horse Industry Board survey in 2023 there are 796 Maryland licensed lesson and boarding barns, a 70% increase from a decade ago, representing 14,000 horses and 12,000 riders. Around a quarter of these “horse people” participate in the Olympic sport of Eventing, and there are more international Eventing competitions (19) in Maryland than anywhere else in North America.

Maryland has 50 licensed Eventing barns as well as 50 licensed dressage barns. Maryland also has 40 equestrian therapeutic and education centers, including inner-city riding programs. Last year, the

Washington International Horse Show moved to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center on the grounds of the historic Upper Marlboro racetrack. That seven-day event drew 432 horses from eight different countries.

There are also nine steeplechase meets in Maryland each year. All of these events bring significant money into the state economy.

The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory (being held this Oct. 19-22, www.maryland5star.us) is one of only seven 5 Star events worldwide, and one of two in the United States.

This event was awarded to the United States, and then to Maryland, after a heated and lengthy bidding process. Its debut in 2021 at Fair Hill in Cecil County, owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, brought top equestrian athletes from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and New Zealand to compete in the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing.

Fair Hill, 5,000 acres once owned by the Du Pont family, is the crown jewel of DNR’s resources, located in a far corner of the state that many Marylanders only pass by on Interstate 95. It is a wealth of open space and long a venue for county and regional agricultural and other sports event, and now has a place on the world equestrian stage.

Unlike some other venues held on country estates once a year, Fair Hill is a year-round, multiuse facility with potential to hold many more major events as well as activities for every aspect of horsemanship — from trail riding through the beautiful countryside to dressage, show jumping, driving, endurance riding and even rodeos.

The private sector has already shown confidence in Cecil County, with the recent opening of the major hotel/recreation facility of Great Wolf Lodge, which now partners with the Maryland 5 Star to accommodate many of those coming to Fair Hill activities and attractions.

State resources have often been focused on urban facilities like stadiums and arenas that benefit private owners. Fair Hill is a state-owned property that offers many more opportunities for participation in Maryland sports, not just watching them. Fair Hill showcases the natural beauty of our state that many people have yet to experience.

It has the potential to be a first-class international showplace, as well as a recreational facility for all Marylanders, whether they compete on horses or just enjoy being in the countryside with them.

We urge the state to invest in capital improvements to the Fair Hill Special Event Zone so that we can keep the Maryland 5 Star here for decades to come. The Kentucky 5 Star attracts over 100,000 spectators over one weekend each year, and if we keep the Maryland 5 Star here we can do even better, eclipsing even the Preakness as a spectator event. By investing in improvements to Fair Hill it will pay dividends to the state economy as well as our quality of life.

Editorial Advisory Board member Arthur Ferguson did not participate in this opinion.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

James B. Astrachan, Chair

James K. Archibald

Gary E. Bair

Andre M. Davis

Eric Easton

Arthur F. Fergenson

Nancy Forster

Susan Francis

Leigh Goodmark

Julie C. Janofsky

Ericka N. King

Susan F. Martielli

Angela W. Russell

Debra G. Schubert

H. Mark Stichel

The Daily Record Editorial Advisory Board is composed of members of the legal profession who serve voluntarily and are independent of The Daily Record. Through their ongoing exchange of views, members of the board attempt to develop consensus on issues of importance to the bench, bar and public. When their minds meet, unsigned opinions will result. When they differ, or if a conflict exists, majority views and the names of members who do not participate will appear. Members of the community are invited to contribute letters to the editor and/or columns about opinions expressed by the Editorial Advisory Board.