Riding a three-year wave of success and enthusiasm, the prestigious MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory eventing competition returns to the historic and scenic Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County.
For four thrill-packed days, Oct. 17-20, it’s the place to be.
One of only seven 5 Star competitions held worldwide and one of only two in North America, Maryland proudly welcomes horse enthusiasts, casual fans and families to experience the bravery, skill and accuracy of the most accomplished riders and horses from around the globe.
It’s also the place to experience and enjoy four days of family-friendly entertainment and activities, music, diverse retail shopping and a wide variety of some of the area’s best food, drink and delicacies. And of course, a must-try beer, wine and spirits tasting, Maryland style.
“We’ve come a long way from the first year of the event,” said Jeff Newman, the President and CEO of the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. “The first year was all about getting the event off the ground logistically and operationally. The second year we were fortunate to add the prestige of world-renowned MARS Equestrian as our title sponsor and Brown Advisory as the presenting sponsor. Their support brought it all together.”
With the 5 Star now in its fourth year, Newman’s team is looking to elevate the entire experience and build on the interest and excitement that can only come from a 5 Star event.
“The competition is as good as it gets,” Newman said. “We expect an elite field of riders and horses from around the world. Among them will be a number of competitors from the Paris Olympics.”
It should be noted that the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is a marquee event with more than $325,000 in total prize money. The overall winner of the 5 Star (CCI5*-L) competition will ride away with $100,000. The remainder will be divided among the next 14 highest-scoring riders and other levels of competition hosted as part of the overall event.
The Fair Hill Special Event Zone features a cross-country course designed by the world-renowned Ian Stark, as well as state-of-the-art dressage and show jumping arenas within the turf track’s infield.
And the whole world will be watching. Event coverage will be broadcast live on Maryland Public Television, as well as streamed on mpt.org, according to Newman. He also added that ClipMyHorse.TV will be livestreaming the coverage domestically and internationally.
So what is a 5 Star event? The sport is known as “eventing,” which can best be described as an equestrian triathlon or an “ironman competition” for horses and riders that originated from a cavalry test.
The first two days (Thursday and Friday) of the Maryland 5 Star are devoted to Dressage, a French word meaning “training,” that shows the graceful partnership of horse and rider through a sequence of movements on the flat. On the third day (Saturday), competitors negotiate a cross-country test of speed and endurance. Then on the fourth day (Sunday), the precision of horse and rider is tested against an equally challenging Show Jumping course made up of a series of delicate fences.
Competitors accumulate penalty points throughout the three phases and the pair with the lowest score takes home top honors.
It should also be noted that the Olympic equestrian competition is classified as 4 Star. At Fair Hill, the challenge goes up to the 5 Star level, which means the jumps are the highest, the course the longest and the judging the toughest for four days.
The Event also hosts a sanctioned 3 Star (CCI3*-L) competition from Oct. 17-20, which offers $25,000 in additional prize money, as well as the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championship for some of the most promising young horses in eventing on Oct. 17 and 18.
Altogether, organizers expect upward of 180 competitors across all three levels of competition (5 Star, 3 Star and YEH).
And of course, a 5 Star event also demands a five-star experience. This year is no exception, with something for everyone. There will be live music throughout the weekend, and a bevy of delicious food trucks and inspired signature beverages. Enjoy samples from some of the region’s best producers at the Local Beer, Wine & Spirts Expo on Saturday, Oct. 19. And be sure to check out the bountiful spread of locally sourced food at the Fresh Food Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20 — the apple cider donuts from Milburn Orchards are a must.
An expanded Kids Corner welcomes children of all ages to the infield for arts and crafts, barnyard games, a petting zoo and more. Explore the Hall of Champions featuring famous retired local horses and friendly ponies waiting to say hello.
All fans should check out the enhanced retail offerings to find amazing gifts, decor and exclusive apparel from brands like LeMieux or Dubarry of Ireland. Fans can also learn about programs from around the world, like the Irish Horse Board.
And back by popular demand is the third annual Maryland Corgi Cup presented by Major League Eventing and set for Sunday, Oct. 20. The handicappers call it the cutest race on four legs.
Tickets and hospitality packages for The Place To Be in October are on sale now. A variety of single and multi-day reserved and general admission ticket packages start as low as $15, with general admission tickets free for kids 10 and under. Visit maryland5star.us for more ticketing information, tailgating package availability, directions, details on lodging and more.
As the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill grows in popularity, the event continues to make its mark on the Maryland economy as well. Organizers expect attendance to be in the range of 30,000 to 35,000, with an overall economic impact of more than $12 million.
In a recent PressBox interview, Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland President Terry Hasseltine highlighted the event’s appeal.
“If you are an enthusiast of sports in general, the Maryland 5 Star should be a bucket item on your list,” he said. “It’s a place to gather. It’s a place to have a good time and interact with clients and guests. It’s also a chance to see the best of the best performing on Maryland soil. It’s worth the trip, it’s worth the overnight stay and it’s worth the experience.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland 5 Star
Issue 288: August/September 2024
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Publish date : 2024-08-14 00:07:00
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