The Maryland Hunt Cup Association has announced an increase in the purse from $75,000 to $100,000 for the 120th running of the world’s most challenging timber race in Glyndon, Md.

“The Committee is pleased to be able to increase the purse and looks forward to the 2016 race,” said Sherlock Gillet Jr., secretary of the Maryland Hunt Cup. “Timber racing in general is experiencing full fields, and the sport overall is quite healthy. The Hunt Cup enjoyed 26 starters in the last two years and has an enthusiastic crop of good amateur riders. Hunt Cup horses are rare, and it takes years to develop them. Increasing the purse rewards horsemen for their efforts.”

The Maryland Hunt Cup was first run in 1894 and has continued without interruption except for three years during World War II. The 2015 race, with 11 horses going to the post and eight finishing, resulted in a heart-stopping photo finish and a unique result. Merriefield Farm’s Imperial Way, ridden by Bethany Baumgardner, finished first but was disqualified for losing the weight pad at the 19th fence and failing to weigh in at the required 165 lbs. This gave the victory to Mrs. Cary Jackson’s Raven’s Choice, ridden by top amateur Mark Beecher.

The 2016 renewal will take place on April 30, at 4:00 p.m. at Worthington Farms in Glyndon, Maryland. For more information, go to www.marylandhuntcup.com.