The VPC is pleased to announce that VPC President, Peter Fenwick has been named as the 2016 recipient of the Robert N. Clay Conservation Award by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
The award, named in recognition of Robert N. Clay’s equine land conservation leadership in the Thoroughbred industry, will be presented at the TOBA National Awards dinner on September 10th in Lexington, Ky.
“TOBA is pleased to have established this award in partnership with ELCR to help increase awareness of the importance of land conservation to the Thoroughbred industry and to serve as an inspiration to others within the industry,” says TOBA President Dan Metzger. “We are thrilled to present the award this year to Peter Fenwick in partnership with Equine Land Conservation Resource.”
Mr. Fenwick, a lifelong horseman and Thoroughbred owner, has served as a board member of the Valleys Planning Council (VPC) since 2001 and as president since 2005. He has been long involved with VPC’s effort to preserve farmland in northern Baltimore County and, most recently, with securing funds for a context sensitive design roundabout that will serve as the gateway to the Worthington Valley Historic District, once home to over 16 thoroughbred horse farms including Sagamore.
The VPC is the oldest non-profit organization dedicated to land conservation in Maryland and was established in 1962 by a group of visionary landowners, many of whom were horsemen, and had the foresight to preserve the rural character and land uses in the valleys amidst the threat of urbanization and sprawl associated with the construction of the Beltway through Green Spring Valley. Today with over 60,000 acres of land under conservation easements, Baltimore County has permanently protected land than any other county in the state of Maryland. VPC continues the tradition of protecting the agriculture and equestrian lifestyle and heritage of the area for the benefit of future generations.
Horses represent a significant part of the history of Baltimore County with over 10,000 horses comprising an equine inventory valued at over $121 million. Steeplechase racing and fox hunting are major activities in the VPC territory. Four major events are held in the area each year: Green Spring Point-to-Point, Grand National, Maryland Hunt Cup, and Legacy Chase. The Grand National and Hunt Cup races date back to 1898 and 1894 respectively. Peter Fenwick continues to demonstrate his commitment to conserving the land and equestrian lifestyle and heritage of the area through his dedication to the mission of VPC and by serving on the board of the Maryland Steeplechase Association and as chair of the Grand National Steeplechase and member of the Green Spring Valley Hounds.
About the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA): TOBA, based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred breeders and owners. TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Ownerview.com and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee and International Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA is the owner of The Blood-Horse Inc., and is represented as a founding member on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium
