Dr. Matthew Mackay-Smith of White Post and James Treptow of Middleburg were elected to the Advisory Council at the bi-annual meeting of the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

"Dr. Mackay-Smith and Mr. Treptow bring us many years of experience in the horse business and demonstrated enthusiasm for the nutritional research work of the center," said Bruce Smart, the council's chairman.

Dr. Mackay-Smith, a Hall of Fame veterinarian, is an accomplished endurance rider, and for many years the medical editor of Equus Magazine.

Treptow now owns the horse training facilities of Hickory Tree Farm, located across the road from the MARE Center. His horse, Rebellion, recently won the grade II Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland.

At the meeting, Sharron Quisenberry, dean College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, stated, "We are enthusiastic about the research potential of this unique 420 acre center. Northern Virginia is home to the state's largest concentration of horses engaged in almost every equine performance discipline, and thus is an ideal location for equine research programs."

In other actions, the council heard a report from Dr. Ray Geor, Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of Agriculture, on the state of the MARE Center and its research opportunities, and re-elected members Mary Mills Abel-Smith (Vice Chair), Frances Dulaney, Eve Thompson and Catherine Woteki to three-year terms.

Honor rolls include: James Barletta, Equestrian Journalist (1995); Bobby Jones, Buck Seminoris, Hallelujah (1996); Donnelly, Heatherbloom (1996); Edward "Ned" King, Bobby Egan, Sun Beau (1997); Fred "Freddy" Wettach, Jr., Melanie Smith Taylor, Johnny Bell (1998); Rodney Jenkins, Sinjon, Franklin F. "Fuddy" Wing, Jr., Democrat (1999); George Morris, Carol Durand, Touch of Class (2000); Eugene R. Mische, Lt. Colonel John W. Russell, Bobby Burke, Untouchable (2001); Harry R. Gill, Clarence L. "Honey" Craven, Calypso, Gem Twist (2002); J. Russell Stewart, Sr., Main Spring (2003); Snowbound (2004); Michael Matz and For The Moment (2005); and Conrad Homfeld (2006).