The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, will present its September and October Touch of Class Awards during winner’s circle ceremonies at the Jim McKay Maryland Million, being held this weekend at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., this weekend. The Touch of Class Award is presented every month to honor Maryland horses, individuals, teams, organizations, or events that have garnered national or international recognition.

The September award will be presented to Suzanne Stettinius, 24, from Parkton (Baltimore County). She is one of the world’s top 36 woman competitors in the modern pentathalon Event and won the silver medal at the 2012 North and Central America and Caribbean Open event. Stettinius also represented the United States at the recent London Olympic Games.

The October Touch of Class Award will be presented to Mackenzie Taylor, 16, from Damascus (Montgomery County) and her pony, Inkspot. Taylor recently won the Individual World Mounted Games Championship in international competition in Wales, UK–a first for a Marylander. Taylor’s mount, Inkspot, is a former rescue pony adopted from the Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon (Howard County) and will also be present for the ceremony.

For more information, contact Ross Peddicord at 410/841-5798 or ross.peddicord@maryland.gov