Statutory Authority

Code: Agricultural Articles 2-701 through 2-719, and 6-107.2

Regulations: COMAR 15.16.01 regulations .01- .08, COMAR 15.16.02 regulations .01 - .08, and COMAR 15.18.05 regulations .01 -.09

 Background:

The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) is one of only about a half dozen state equine commodities boards in the country.

The organization was founded in 1998 as an outgrowth of the State’s Riding Stables Inspection Program that began in 1968.

MHIB receives no government funding although it is housed in the Maryland Department of Agriculture  (MDA) building in Annapolis and is a program within MDA.

The organization is an example of a private/public partnership.

MHIB is totally funded from private equine industry sources. Monies are accrued from the annual licensing fees paid to MHIB by the state’s approximately 600 licensed lesson, boarding, rental and rescue facilities and from the Feed Fund Assessment program. Every time a Marylander buys a bag of horse feed, 15 cents is voluntarily contributed by feed manufacturers to help fund MHIB projects and initiatives.

Mission:

MHIB has three primary functions:

1-Regulatory: to license and inspect the state’s commercial lesson, boarding, rental and rescue facilities that solicit business from the public.

2-Advisory: to brief the Maryland Department of Agriculture and other state officials on issues regarding the Maryland horse industry

3-Promotional: to market, bring awareness to and help grow the state’s equine industry.

Entity’s Vision and Mission:

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (the Board) is to safeguard the health and well being of Maryland’s Horse Industry as well as to provide for its future development. To this end, the Board intends to:

1. Raise the level of public awareness of Maryland’s equestrian/equine traditions;
2. Raise the level of public awareness of the positive impact of horses on the quality of life in Maryland;
3. To increase visibility of Maryland equestrian/ equine activities;
4. To provide support as a resource for Maryland horse owners; and
5. To foster a standard of care for Maryland horses.

Primary Function

The purpose of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), as enumerated in Article 2-708.1 of the Annotated Code of Maryland is, taken broadly, to promote equestrian activities and the use of horses for recreation through promotional activities that create awareness and visibility for the equine industry, educational and research projects to benefit the equine industry, and developmental efforts, such as job training programs, facilities planning and export marketing to stimulate the growth of the local horse economy. Moreover, the board serves in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding matters affecting the industry and as the licensing body for Maryland stables. To this end the Board has a mission which includes regulatory, advisory, promotional and educational roles.

​MHIB Board Members
In January of 1998 the Maryland Horse Council created p​roposed legislation for the formation of a Maryland Horse Industry Board to work with the Department of Agriculture, to function as a commodity board for the development of the industry. In April of 1998, the proposed legislation was passed into law. The purpose of the Maryland Horse Industry Board is to help develop and promote the state’s horse industry.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and other interested parties can make recommendations to the Governor’s office, but ultimately the appointments are at the Governor’s discretion.

For Organized Shows and Competitions:
SHEILA CURRY - Chair
Sheila Curry from Oxon Hill, Prince George's County. Curry is a certified public accountant and is currently Grants and Partnerships Manager with the Strategic Partnership Cluster in the Office of Prince George's Executive Angela Alsobrooks. In that role, and through a lifelong love of horses, she was instrumental in bringing the 5 Star Washington International Horse Show to Maryland.

For the Academic Equine Community
Dr. Amy Burk - Vice Chair
Dr. Amy Burk serves as the coordinator for the undergraduate Equine Studies  at the University of Maryland/Animal & Avian Sciences Department. She completed her graduate work in Animal and Poultry Sciences as a Pratt Fellow in Animal Nutrition at Virginia Tech, earning an MS in 1998 and a PhD in 2001. At UMD, she teaches Horse Management and Equine Science. As an Extension Horse Specialist, Amy provides statewide educational leadership and training in the areas of equine nutrition and pasture management. She is the project coordinator for the Equine Rotational Grazing Demonstration Site in Ellicott City. She has received several awards including the Outstanding Educator Award from the Equine Science Society and the Poffenberger Excellence in Teaching and Advising Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland. She grew up riding in the Linthicum 4-H Hi-Riders and St. Margaret’s Pony Club, both based in Anne Arundel County. She is married to Rob Burk, executive director of the United States Eventing Association; they have two daughters.

For the Thoroughbred Industry:
JENILE TAPSCOTT
Jenile Tapscott is from Pasadena, Anne Arundel County. Tapscott has spent most of her life owning,training and caring for Thoroughbreds, working for top horsemen like Charlie Hadry and Gary Capuano and then owning and training horses herself. Her best horse was the stakes-placed filly Candy Coated Dame. Both her parents, Radcliff and Carylyne, owned and trained racehorses. Tapscott is currently retired from the US Dept. of Agriculture and volunteers as a guide for thePreakness Sunrise Tours..

For Licensed Board & Riding Stables:
ADRIAN FORD III
Adrian Ford is from Potomac, Montgomery County. Ford operates The Big Easy @ Canterbury Farm stable which offers lessons, training and boarding as well as opportunities for clients to compete in regional hunter, jumping and event shows. Originally from Louisiana, he has trained horses and riders since 1988 and has numerous local and state high score winners to his credit
 
For Animal Control and Humane Societies:
Erin Ochoa
Erin is the CEO of Days End Farm Horse Rescue and has been with the organization since 2005. As a Maryland native, she grew up active in the horse industry and was involved with Pony Club and Potomac Valley Dressage Association. She is a Certified Public Manager through The University of Baltimore. Additionally, she is certified as an equine investigator and animal control officer. Erin has been a court witness, for criminal cases in equine neglect and abuse, in Equine Husbandry and Rehabilitation for multiple counties in Maryland.  Erin serves as a member of the Maryland Professional Animal Workers Association, Board Member representing Associations of The Maryland Horse Council and Advisory Council member of The Homes for Horses Coalition.
 
For Equine Veterinarians:
Dr. Kathleen Anderson, DVM
Dr. Anderson graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 and has practiced in the Mid-Atlantic region since then, focusing on Thoroughbred racehorses and elite equine athletes. She is the Equine Medical Director for Fair Hill Training Center and served as the 2016 Past President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Dr. Anderson has held numerous volunteer leadership roles in the equine industry, including with the AAEP On Call program and was recently appointed to the HISA Veterinary Advisory Committee. She brings nearly 40 years of experience and a passion for horses to the Maryland Horse Industry Board, working as a racehorse practitioner from yearling sales through retirement and second careers; eventers and beloved riding horses.  Kathleen has a menagerie at home of 5 horses, 2 wild corgis and 2 barn cats that keeps her grounded in reality and sensitive to the challenges facing horse owners and caretakers!
 
For Trails and Recreational Riding:
JENNIFER SULIN
Jennifer Sulin is from Catonsville, Baltimore County. Sulin is the owner and operator of Plot Twist Farm in Glenwood, MD. She provides both English and Western riding lessons as well as programs for Girl Scout troops and the Howard County Public School System. She is a board member of the Maryland High School Rodeo Association. She enjoys trail riding with her two daughters, Charlize and Ryenne, who also participate in local, state and national rodeos.

For the Maryland Standardbred Industry:
LISA WATTS 
Lisa Watts is from Huntingtown, Calvert County. Watts started out as a pari-mutuel teller at Maryland racetracks 36 years ago and was drawn to harness racing as her responsibilities grew at Rosecroft Raceway in Oxon Hill. She has been the General Manager/Director of Operations at Rosecroft, one of the state’s two harness tracks, since 2009. Watts has two grown sons and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund.

For The Equine Support Industries:
CONNIE SAWYER 
Connie from Huntingtown, Calvert County. Sawyer is the President and CEO of Connie Sawyer LLC, a live sports production and promotions  agency, with an expertise in international equestrian sports production, broadcasting and marketing. Currently Sawyer acts as the North American Events Manager for the Federation Equestre Internationale  (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sports. In addition, she is the Director of Broadcasting for the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill.

For the Maryland Horse Council:
Carolyn Mackintosh  
Carolyn Mackintosh is the owner of Loch Moy Farm and the organizer of the Maryland Horse Trials, Maryland International FEI CCI 1/2/3/4*, USEA Horse Trials, and USDF Dressage shows. She also hosts Bred to Event and unrecognized events, providing opportunities for horses and riders at the grassroots to the FEI level of equestrian sports. Traveling to international events to learn more about competitions and management, while fostering growth in Maryland’s competitive equestrian scene, is a true passion of hers. Carolyn Mackintosh is on the board of the Maryland Horse Council.

For the General Public:
Genevieve Macfarlane
Genevieve Macfarlane is a partner at the Law Offices of Stevens Palmer, LLC, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Her legal practice encompasses real estate transactions, land use and zoning, and equine-related legal matters. A lifelong equestrian, Macfarlane grew up riding in Maryland, which fostered a strong and enduring connection to the state’s vibrant equine community. She earned her undergraduate degree from Washington College and her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law. Since law school, she has been focused on building a successful practice while combining her work with her passion for the equine industry. Macfarlane serves as the President of the Queen Anne's County Bar Association and sits on the Land Use Institute Committee for the Maryland State Bar Association. Macfarlane is an avid foxhunter and a member of the Wicomico Hunt Club.​

For the Maryland Dept of Agriculture:
Cassie Shirk
As the Maryland Assistant Secretary of Marketing, Animal Industries and Consumer Services, Cassie Shirk oversees a wide range of programs, including Marketing and Agribusiness Development, Food Quality Assurance, Animal Health, Weights and Measures, Horse Industry Board, State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and Maryland Agricultural Fair Board. 

Secretary of Agriculture,
KEVIN M. ATTICKS, D.C.D.
Appointed by Governor Wes Moore n to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, Born in Prince George's County, Maryland, 1975. Attended St. Mary's High School, Annapolis, Maryland; Loyola University Maryland, B.A. (journalism), 1997; University of Colorado, M.A., 1998; University of Baltimore, D.C.D. (communications design), 2002. Founder, Grow & Fortify. Past executive director, Brewers Association of Maryland; Maryland Distillers Guild; Maryland Wineries Association. Past member, Board of Directors, Future Harvest; Maryland Tourism Coalition. Past president, Maryland Agricultural Resource Council. Past chair, Advisory Council, WineAmerica State and Regional Association. Adjunct faculty, Loyola University Maryland.​

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MHIB Staff
Executive Director:
Anne Litz
Anne was born into the Maryland horse world. A graduate of Garrison Forest School and the University of Mary Washington with a Political Science degree.  Anne grew up riding, showing, and hunting in Baltimore County with her mother and working alongside her father with Litz Bloodstock.  After college, she worked for Gannet papers the Worcester County Times, and the Beachcomber as a photojournalist on the Eastern Shore before returning to Baltimore.  Returning to Maryland she worked at the Maryland Saddlery and as a freelance photographer.  In 2013 Anne began working with the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine as a photographer, membership coordinator and circulation manage. She started with the MHIB in 2019, and took the Executive Director position in 2025. She currently hunts with Green Spring Valley Hounds. ​
 
Stable Inspectors:
Peggy Morgan, has been with MDA for the past 45 years, and has owned horses all of her life. She has a small family farm with her husband Chris  in Upper Marlboro. Many people may have met Peggy at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Open House, where she has brought animals, including a miniature horse and a draft horse. Peggy inspects horse stables for MHIB and veterinary hospitals and clinics for the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners​ 

Ellen James is a lifelong horsewoman in both English and Western disciplines and is a graduate of Montana State University. She also worked for fifteen years as a veterinary technician. She inspects horse stables for MHIB and veterinary hospitals and clinics for the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. She lives in northern Harford County.

Tonya Kendrick 
Tonya has worked at the Maryland Department of Agriculture for 18 years. Tonya handles the stable licensing for the MHIB; however, she spends most of her time working for the State Vet Board.