Cole Jackson, Jacob Connell, Jen Smith Honored With Maryland Horse Industry Board "Touch of Class" Award
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - Goucher College equestrian team members Cole Jackson (Denver, Colo. / East) and Jacob Connell (Ellicott City, Md. / Mt. Hebron) and Goucher Equestrian Director Jen Smith were honored by the Maryland Horse Industry Board Wednesday with its Touch of Class Award for their recent successes. The award was presented at the Board's meeting at the Prince George's Equestrian Center.
The Maryland Horse Industry Board established the Touch of Class Award in September 2011 to honor Maryland horses, individuals, teams, organizations or events that demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in the Maryland Horse Industry by achieving national or international recognition. The award is named after Touch of Class, a Maryland-bred mare who won two Olympic showjumping gold medals and currently holds the Olympic record for number of clean jumping rounds in Olympic competition.
Jackson won the High Collegiate Medal in May, 2021 at the Savannah College of Art and Design Tournament of Champions. Connell was the Series Champion for the World Equestrian Center Limit Equation on the flat in the IHSA Virtual Showcase Series held in the spring of 2021. Smith has served as Goucher's Equestrian Director since April of 2013 and has been with the program starting as Assistant Director in 2007.
The mission of the Maryland Horse Industry Board is to safeguard the health and well being of Maryland's Horse Industry as well as to provide for its future development.
Jacob Connell
Cole Jackson
Jen Smith