From a Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred release

The editors, writers and photographers of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred received eight honors in American Horse Publications’ Annual Awards contest for 2013, taking home  four first-place awards Saturday night in Charleston, S.C.

Among other projects, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred has partnered with The Racing Biz to present the semi-monthly Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll.

The AHP contest included 736 entrants in 50 classes with the results announced during the “Gallop n’ Grits” Seminar at the historic Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston June 19-21.

First-place awards went to:

* Editor Joe Clancy for “Change of Pace,” about sales consignors and lifelong horse people Rick and Dixie Abbott, in the Feature Single Article (circulation under 10,000). The article, which appeared in the February edition, chronicled the Abbotts careers in the Thoroughbred industry. Judges commented, “The writer pulls the reader in right from the start and doesn’t let go. He provides an insightful look into the Abbotts’ lives together and their plans for the future.” Clancy also received an honorable mention in the same category for “A Belmont Dream with the Masters,” a feature on the Belmont Stakes won by Dogwood Stable’s Palace Malice.

* Senior writer Sean Clancy for “Taking His Turn,” an article about Orb’s victory in the Kentucky Derby, in the Editorial Event Coverage Single Article (circulation under 20,000). Published in the July edition, the article drew the comments “Lede sets the mental picture of the day . . . Reader gets a good feel for the story behind the Derby winner. Like Orb, this one is a winner.” Joe Clancy’s article on the Maryland Hunt Cup finished second in the same category.

* Writer Vinnie Perrone for “Finish Line,” a remembrance of legendary racing writer Joe Kelly, in the Personality Profile Single Article (circulation under 10,000) category. Judges called the article, part of the January edition, “a lively read all around. The author’s knowledge of the subject shows and is used to the reader’s benefit. Kelly was an engaging person who lived a full life. As for the writer, he has his own clackety-clack knack for prose.” Joe Clancy’s article on the life of steeplechase jockey Tommy Smith was third in the same division.

* Photographer Kathee Rengert for “Winter Wonderland,” in the Editorial Still Photograph class. The photo, published in the February edition, showed Fair Hill Training Center – and a lonely horse – in a snowstorm. Judges commented that the photo “could be an Impressionist painting. Nothing is in focus except the thousands of tiny dots of snow, yet you know exactly what’s going on, that a horse is going out for exercise. The photo conveys a strong message: Work must go on, regardless of the weather.” Lydia Williams’ photo “Here Kitty Kitty” received an honorable mention in the same category.

Published by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred is a monthly magazine covering Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the region. Launched in 1991, the magazine is a direct descendant of The Maryland Horse magazine, which was created in 1936.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for your work, and the success is a tribute to the work put in by everyone on our small staff and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association,” said Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred editor Joe Clancy. “We take great pride in putting out the best magazine we can, every month, for our readers and our advertisers.”

All winning entries may be viewed on http://midatlantictb.com/cms/index.php/archived-news/award-winners.