HCC's Grand Prix Makes the Leap to a New Location

By Sandy Alexander

After 21 years of raising tents, grandstands, fences and walls on a grassy patch of the campus alongside the Little Patuxent Parkway, Howard Community College (HCC) is moving its Columbia Classic Grand Prix equestrian show jumping fundraiser to someone else's lawn.
Fortunately for the college, George and Marilyn Doetsch have 100 acres of rolling fields on their Marama Farm in Clarksville, and they are excited to see skilled equestrians on horseback leap over obstacles, thrill spectators and help raise money for student scholarships.
HCC President Kate Hetherington said moving the event, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, "is a win/win." The college will use its campus space for badly-needed student parking to accommodate growing enrollment and the event will have a larger setting that is ideal for equestrian activities.
Along with the logistical considerations, Hetherington said, "after 20 years, it is probably a good idea to reflect upon the event and see how we can make things better."
Marilyn Doetsch has been a supporter of the Grand Prix for many years with her husband, George Doetsch, owner of Apple Ford Lincoln Mercury in Columbia. She said she did not expect the college to select her farm among several options because she and her husband have only owned it for a year.
However, during that time, she has made numerous improvements and started a thoroughbred breeding operation there; so after seeing the farm with its open spaces, miles of white fence and fresh new barns, "there was no contest," said Michael Drummond, co-chair of the Grand Prix board of directors. "It is truly going to make this a horse event. ... The farm is absolutely beautiful."
"We loved our site on the campus ... but we were pretty constrained in how we could arrange the venue," said Drummond. "This finally gives us room to expand."
With more space, Drummond believes the social and family activities that are available with general admission will grow significantly during the coming years. "That will become a real festival environment," he said.
This year, the Grand Prix committee is working with Clyde's Restaurant Group
to offer a new wine and beer garden. Organizers are also planning to add more activities for children, such as a moon bounce and a photo booth, and they are partnering with prominent Baltimore and Washington radio stations to bring more music and entertainment to the event.
Lawn seats cost $10 for adults and are free for children ages 10 and under. Grandstand seats are $15 for adults and $8 for children.
The new location will allow for changes in the set-up of the sponsor tent, which includes seats for $200 and opportunities to sponsor a full table, Drummond said. The site will also have more room for vendors and could offer future opportunities for tailgating activities.
Marilyn Doetsch, who has ridden horses and worked on horse farms throughout her life, said she is excited by the ability to expand the jump area and offer some variety in the setup of the course.
"I think it is exciting," she said, "because we have so much more land to offer that we can expand and grow [upon]." She said she hopes the new features will attract people who might have been unfamiliar with the Grand Prix and the college, and that it will help spread the message that the horse industry is "alive and well" in Maryland.
The farm, which is about nine miles from the campus off Route 32 (just north of Route 108) "is perfectly suited to this event," said Hetherington. "We are so grateful that they were so gracious and stepped forward. ... Hopefully we will continue to have the support we usually have from the community."
The goal each year is to raise $200,000 for student scholarships, Drummond said. Over two decades, the event has raised $2.5 million to help students pay their educational expenses.
"By refreshing the event, we hope we can energize the community to step up more," he said. "I'd like the [amount raised] to go up because there is such a huge challenge for students to attend the college. ... They need help more than ever."
Information on the Columbia Classic Grand Prix is available by calling 410-772-4450 or via www.hccgrandprix.com.