Maryland Governor’s Cup Series
Established 1975
2016 Awards
 Conditions & Qualifying Races

With the Conditions for each race there is a bracketed number. (“F” means The Foxhall Farm Cup Team Chase (fast time.)). The Qualifying Races for each award are listed by these numbers under each award. Award winners must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the Conditions. For changes in qualifications and an updated list of points please check www.marylandsteeplechasing.com.

MARYLAND OPEN TIMBER CHAMPION
Awarded to the horse that accumulates the most points in open timber races and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Placing in restricted races are not eligible for Maryland Open Timber Champion points.
Awards: Perpetual Trophy, Keepsake Trophy, & Cooler.
Qualifying Races: F, 10, 15, 21, 32, 34, 35, 42, 54, 63

MARYLAND NOVICE TIMBER CHAMPION
Awarded to the horse accumulating the most points in novice and allowance timber races. Eligible horses are those that are non-winners over timber in point-to-points or NSA sanctioned races as of the first of the current year, which meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Horses may only win this award once.
Awards: Perpetual Trophy, Keepsake Trophy, and $1,000 Cash Prize. In the event of a tie, the prize money will be split.
Qualifying Race: F, 11, 16, 22, 31, 35, 56, 66

MARYLAND HEAVYWEIGHT TIMBER CHAMPION
Awarded to the horse that accumulates the most points in heavyweight timber races and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake Trophy & Cooler
Qualifying Races: F, 9, 17, 30

H. BROOKS DURKEE MEMORIAL LEADING TIMBER RIDER AWARD
Earner of the most points in timber races (Open, Allowance, Novice, Heavyweight, Maiden). Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake Trophy, and a Perpetual Trophy donated by the Durkee Family and Friends.
Qualifying Races: F, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 42, 54, 56, 63, 66

MARYLAND BRED & SIRED TIMBER HORSE AWARDS
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (which oversees the Thoroughbred breeding registries in the state) and the Maryland Million, Ltd. will provide $1,000 in cash bonuses for Maryland-bred and Maryland-sired Thoroughbreds in the 2016 Governor’s Cup Series. $500 will be awarded to the owner of the registered Maryland-bred timber horse earning the most points in the series, and $500 will be awarded to the owner of the Maryland Million nominated timber horse earning the most points in the series. Maryland Million-sired eligibility can be checked at www.marylandmillion.com/index.php/horsemen/eligibility/search-eligible-horses. You can check Maryland-bred eligibility at http://www.marylandthoroughbred.com/cms/index.php/foals/md-bred.registry.

AMATEUR APPRENTICE TIMBER HORSE & RIDER CHAMPION
Presented to the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in amateur and/or apprentice timber races and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: $500 to owner and a keeper trophy to rider. Prize money to be split in event of tie. Sponsored by Michael Wharton.
Qualifying Races: F, 18, 23, 36

THE VOSS AMATEUR FLAT RACE SERIES
Trophy to highest placing jockey in amateur flat races of approximately 2 miles.
Award: Keepsake Trophy
Qualifying Races: 12, 20, 28, 64 

THE HURDY GURDY PERPETUAL TROPHY
Presented (not necessarily annually) to the foxhunting horse and rider combination that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions and that has the best racing season, as determined by Governor’s Cup Series Committee. Perpetual Trophy donated by the family of Kingdon Gould and the Howard County Cup Race Meet.
Award: 1 year possession of the Perpetual Trophy and a Keepsake trophy; 2 caps to EHHC, GSV, HCIBH, Marlborough, and Potomac.

LEADING TRAINER AWARD
Trainer earning the most points from races over fences and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake Trophy & $1,000 Cash Prize. In the event of a tie, the prize money will be split.
Qualifying Races: 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 42, 54, 56, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66

OVERALL LEADING RIDER
Awarded to the rider with the most cumulative wins over timber (Open, Allowance, Novice, Heavyweight, Maiden), hurdle, and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake trophy.
Qualifying Races: F, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 42, 54, 56, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66

THOMAS H. VOSS MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY FOR THE LEADING AMATEUR RIDER
Awarded to the amateur rider with the most qualifying wins over hurdles, timber, and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Perpetual Trophy donated by Elkridge-Harford Hounds.
Qualifying Races: F, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 42, 54, 56, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66

THE BETSY FIREY MEMORIAL TROPHY
Presented in memory of Betsy Firey and awarded to the female jockey accumulating the most points in all flat, timber (Open, Allowance, Novice, Heavyweight, Maiden), and hurdle races. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake Trophy donated by the Firey Family Trust.
Qualifying Races: F, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 42, 54, 56, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66

Maryland Junior Rider Awards

LEADING JUNIOR HORSE RIDER
Awarded to the Junior Rider who races at least twice (in division qualifying races) and wins at least once, and has the most cumulative points in Junior Field Master’s Chases. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake Trophy to leading TB and non-TB riders.
Qualifying Races: TB: F, 7, 40, 48 Non-TB: F, 8, 41, 49

LEADING PONY RIDERS
Awarded to the Junior Pony Riders who races at least twice (in division qualifying races) and wins at least once, and has the most cumulative points in Junior Field Master Chases & flat races. Each pony division (small, medium, and large) will be awarded. The Junior Pony Rider accumulating the most points in all divisions combined will be awarded the Overall Pony Rider Award. Winners must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.
Awards: Keepsake Trophies.
Qualifying Races:
SMALL: F, 1, 4, 24, 37, 44, 50, 53, 67
MEDIUM: F, 2, 5, 25, 38, 45, 51, 55, 68
LARGE: F, 3, 6, 26, 39, 46, 52, 57, 69  

THE JONATHAN KISER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Presented in recognition of a Junior Rider’s race participation, horsemanship, sportsmanship, talent, and dedication to the sport of steeplechasing. Recipient to be selected by the MSA Board from among all Junior Riders currently riding in Junior and Pony races. One recipient per year. Awards: Position as a working student for a week with NSA trainer (Todd Wyatt) and tuition to the National Steeplechase Foundation Summer Steeplechase Camp/Clinic.

JUNIOR FOXCHASING SCHOLARSHIP
Presented in recognition of a Junior Rider’s commitment & dedication to the sport of steeplechasing, to foster the relationship and tradition between foxchasing & steeplechasing. Recipients to be selected by the MSA Board from among all Junior Riders currently riding in Junior and Pony races. Number of recipients at the discretion of the MSA Board.
Awards: Capping fees for Junior Riders and chaperoning adults, tuition to foxchasing camps and clinics.

LEADING JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER GROUP – THE D. M. SMITHWICK AWARD
Award based on participation of an amateur Young or Junior Rider who is affiliated with a Foxhunting Club or Pony Club. The club whose members earn the most number of points during the current MSA season will receive a cash prize. Riders who wish to apply for this award must be a current member of the club(s) they wish to represent, and must complete and submit an MSA registration form to participate in this series. (Registration forms available on MSA web site at www.marylandsteeplechasing.com.) Points will be awarded to the club(s) represented by each rider pursuant to the MSA General Conditions, and ALL finishers not placing will receive 1/2 point for participating. Winners of all awards MUST meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Each rider is responsible for downloading the participation form from www.marylandsteeplechasing.com in order to have all of their points counted.

Award: $500 cash to winning group.
Qualifying Races: All MSA races for which the riders qualify.

 

 

Please direct ALL questions, concerns, and comments regarding the Maryland Governor’s Cup Series General Conditions or points to: Governor’s Cup Chief Steward J.W.Y. Martin, MFH. 410-833-1167 • 410-370-1144 • Jwymfh@aol.com