Ross Peddicord, Jim Steele and The Maryland Horse Industry Board gave me a very nice tribute and award last night in Annapolis. The Touch of Class Award is given for " demonstrating the Highest Standards of Excellence in Maryland's Equine Industry. I was very touched and appreciated the honor given to me by my peers. I did like representing Maryland and the United States in the Mongol Derby this past summer and believed that some part of my accomplishment came from the support and well-wishes from friends in the horse world as well as family. It was a grueling endeavour that fulfilled a "bucket list" dream of mine and I was thrilled to finish ninth in 8 days, only 3 hours behind the winner. Certainly one of the hardest things I have ever done, but also one of the most inspiring. It made me realize I can accomplish anything I really put my mind to and I hope it inspires others to push their boundaries a little and reach further.
In addition, my fellow Marlborough Hunt Club member, Joanne Stone, and her husband, Senator Norman Stone, congratulated me personally, and my adventure was recognized with an Official Citation from The Maryland General Assembly and Senator John Astle of Anne Arundel County. This was heady stuff and I was truly surprised and grateful. Thank you Joanne and Norman. Public speaking is hard for me and only my family in attendance knew how nervous I was. Riding 640 miles in Mongolia, facing wolves, storms, desert and bad falls was not nearly as daunting as standing up there to receive an award. Still pushing boundaries myself! Thank you and I hope to keep inspiring my over 60 crowd to keep surprising themselves by Just Doing Something Hard!
