Maryland Steeplechase Association

06/16/2026

MSA is pleased to announce the 2026 scholarship recipients!

The Jonathan Kiser Memorial Scholarship:
Sofia Villacres

The Austin Michael Ciba Tamberino Good Sportsmanship Award:
Pauly Augilera

The D.M Smithwick Jr. Junior Foxchasing Scholarships:
Emma Ness • Daniel Edelson • Sophie Cameron

The Junior Cubbing Scholarships:
Rosey Crane • Margot Mannion • Clara Polinksy

06/16/2026

A late-breaking NSA ruling has created a ripple effect with some of the Maryland Steeplechase Series Awards.

2026 Awards will be presented to the following at the MSA Awards Reception on June 25; scroll down for link to RSVP.

MARYLAND STEEPLECHASE HORSE OF THE YEAR: Mr. Fine Threads Owned by Armata Stables Trained by Joe Davies

MARYLAND NOVICE TIMBER CHAMPION: Recoup (GB) Owned by Irv Naylor Trained by Kathy Neilson

THE MARYLAND IRISH-BRED THOROUGHBRED: Our Legend (IRE) Owned by Adlestrop Hill Trained by Emily Hannum

$500 MHBA MARYLAND-BRED Steeplechase Horse of the Year: Mr. Fine Threads by Sightseeing our of Seven Counties/Wayne County (Ire). Bred by William B Harris; owned by Armata Stables, trained by Joe Davies.

$500 MARYLAND MILLION MARYLAND-SIRED Steeplechase Horse of the Year: Master Seville, by Seville (Ger) out of Casablanca Lily (Ire)/Hurrican Run (Ire). Bred by South Branch Equine LLC, The Kinsley Family, owned by South Branch Equine LLC, trained by Mark Beecher

MARYLAND HEAVYWEIGHT TIMBER – TIE: Road To Oz Owned by Dan Baker Trained by Mark Beecher & Bogey’s Image Owned by Harvey Goolsby, A O’Donovan, Dan Colhoun Trained by Joe Davies

AMATEUR APPRENTICE TIMBER HORSE & RIDER CHAMPION - TIE: For the Parish (IRE) & Paddy Barlow & De Nordener (IRE) & Sophie O'Brien

OVERALL LEADING OWNER The H.Turney McKnight Perpetual Trophy: Runnymore Racing LLC (the change is not due to the NSA ruling but to a clerical error in the earlier announcement)

THE H. BROOKS DURKEE MEMORIAL LEADING TIMBER RIDER: Dan Nevin

LEADING AMATEUR RIDER Thomas H. Voss Memorial Perpetual Trophy - TIE: Eric Poretz & Dan Nevin

OVERALL LEADING RIDER - 3 WAY TIE: Dan Nevin, Eric Poretz, Graham Watters

THE VOSS AMATEUR FLAT SERIES: Sophie O'Brien

LEADING LADY RIDER: Sophie O'Brien

$1,000 LEADING TRAINER: Joe Davies

LEADING JUNIOR SMALL PONY RIDER: Rosey Crane

LEADING JUNIOR MEDIUM PONY RIDER�: Abby Taylor

LEADING JUNIOR LARGE PONY RIDER: Pauly Aguilera

OVERALL LEADING PONY RIDER: Rosey Crane

LEADING JUNIOR HORSE RIDER: Abby Taylor

OVERALL LEADING JUNIOR RIDER: Abby Taylor

(Is your name, your stable's name, your syndicate's name, your child's name, your horse's name or your pony's name spelled incorrectly? Please PM the MSA with the correction!)

TO RSVP:

Please join us for the 2026 Awards Reception for the Maryland Governor's Cup Series

06/07/2026

MARYLAND -BRED & MARYLAND MILLION-SIRED AWARDS!

The 2026 Maryland-Bred MSA Horse of the Year: Mr. Fine Threads by Sightseeing our of Seven Counties/Wayne County (Ire). Bred by William B Harris. (owned by Armata Stables, trained by Joe Davies). Sponsored by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association.

The 2026 Maryland Million-Sired MSA Horse of the Year: Master Seville, by Seville (Ger) out of Casablanca Lily (Ire)/Hurrican Run (Ire). Bred by South Branch Equine LLC, The Kinsley Family. (Owned by South Branch Equine LLC and trained by Mark Beecher). Sponsored by the Maryland Million.

Don't forget to make your reservations for the Awards Reception on June 25th!

Please join us for the 2026 Awards Reception for the Maryland Governor's Cup Series

06/07/2026

NOW OPEN: “Timber Specialist” is the 2026 Sam Robinson Fine Art fundraiser for the Maryland Steeplechase Association. The show will be open through July 10. Prices are DISCOUNTED 20% until June 25 (the day of the awards reception).
Proceeds benefit the MSA, a 501(c)(3) organization, the Jonathan Kiser Fund and other MSA programs. Contributions may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The MSA greatly appreciates the generosity of Sam Robinson and his patrons. Click here to see more details on these pieces - and to place your order! https://www.steeplechasegallery.org/sam-robinson-msa

06/07/2026

The MSA applauds the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation grant to rebuild the barns for the River Hills Foxhounds - those rock star outriders for all the PtPs and sanctions in Maryland!

05/21/2026

The 2026 Maryland Governor's Cup Series, which began last fall with The Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs, has officially CLOSED!

Scroll down to find out who won what. Questions, disputes, or protests regarding points must be submitted in writing to the Governor's Cup Chief Steward by 5 p.m. Friday, May 22.

NEW FOR 2026: In order to be eligible to receive trophies, cash prizes and bonuses, candidates MUST be a member of the Maryland Steeplechase Association. Memberships are available on the EventBrite registration page for the Awards Reception.

AWARDS RECEPTION: Thursday, June 25
For tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-maryland-governors-cup-awards-reception-registration-1990119032599?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/21/2026

05/15/2026

Get your tickets now for the Memorial Day weekend Fair Hill Turf Showcase. 🏇🏆

www.laurelpark.com/fhts

05/12/2026

Who is in the lead for the 2026 Maryland Steepelchase Awards? Click here to find out…

Hot off the NSA Press: Memorial Day Steeplechasing returning to Fair Hill Apr 2, 2026 MSA is thrilled to be able to finally announce that YES, there is a plan to have Memorial Day steeplechasing this year at Fair Hill! It is not quite a done deal yet, as there is a caveat. From the… Read More