Great Britain’s Oliver Townend brought his long-time equine partner Ballaghmor Class to the USA last week in a quest to capture his first win at the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by The Brown Advisory, a prize that had eluded him in three earlier attempts. He took home $100,000 for the win (out of the $325,000 total purse).

This year was the fourth renewal of the world’s newest eventing CCI5*-L, which happens annually in mid-October in Cecil County at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area Special Event Zone. The previous three years in Maryland, Townend had been second once (with Cooley Master Class in 2021) and third the other two years (with As Is in 2022 and Cooley Rosalent in 2023).

He came to Maryland this year sitting on eight previous CCI5*-L wins (four times at Kentucky, three times at Burghley and once at Badminton), three of them with Ballaghmor Class. When all the rails stayed up for them in the show jumping arena on Sunday, Townend and “Thomas” finally clenched Townend’s first win in Maryland on 31.3. Their win in Maryland gives Townend an impressive nine total 5* wins to date, tying eventing greats Lucinda Green and Andrew Nicholson.

Ballaghmor Class is a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Courage II owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan. Townend spoke highly of the gelding following their victory, “I fully expected that Tim [Price] would go clean and keep the pressure on me. Fortunately, I am lucky to ride one of the sport’s great horses and he delivered big time. I wish he could carry on for another 10 years so we could retire together. He’s just phenomenal and it’s my job to show the world how good he is. Luckily, I didn’t mess this one up.”

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The top three spots in the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star all went to riders with ties to the British Isles. Tim Price (from New Zealand, but based with his wife and fellow eventer Jonelle in the United Kingdom for many years) and Falco finished second by show jumping clear as well, only 3.3 points (less than one rail) behind Townend, with a score of 34.6. Price has also competed two other times at the Maryland 5 Star thus far, finishing third in 2021 on Xavier Faer and winning in 2022 with Coup de Coeur Dudevin.

Price also praised his mount Falco who had only competed in one other 5* before taking second in Maryland. “The way that he gets in the air is a lot of fun. He gives you the most confidence that you could imagine. You just squeeze him up with your leg [and he jumps well] and today was no different. Thankfully, he had a great day yesterday [on cross-country]; he pulled up very well. He is something else. He makes the job very easy for me.”

Price also made an unprompted, heartfelt statement at the end of the final press conference, offering his support for the Maryland 5 Star to continue, “We love coming over here and we’ll do what we can to encourage more people to come here, because it’s a fantastic event. Definitely one of the best.”

British rider David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed took third prize in the 2024 Maryland Five Star. The horse and rider duo had put in a blazing round on cross-country and were the only competitors to finish clear and within the time allowed to sit in second at the end of phase two. On the final day they had an unfortunate rail in show jumping which moved them down to third to finish on 38.5.

Doel was appreciative of and apologetic to his horse about the rails they had in show jumping, especially after his horse’s super cross-country run the day before. “I’ve got a phenomenal horse there. I just felt that actually, I let him down today; didn’t quite do him the justice. The distance going down to the treble was a little bit quiet, and [I] just made him work a little bit too hard … He wouldn’t be an out and out Falco, a double-clear machine, but he is normally a very, very good jumping horse. So yeah, there was definitely sort of my mistake today and kicking myself a bit. I always like to put a little bit more pressure on Oliver.”

U.S. rider Buck Davidson, who grew up not far from Fair Hill but is now based in Florida, and his 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Sorocaima finished fourth (47.6). They also took home the Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue Trophy awarded to the highest placed American Thoroughbred. Davidson said that Sorocaima raced not that long ago, starting in 60 races, and a friend had talked him into purchasing the gelding as an event prospect.

He spoke about riding a Thoroughbred and how the Maryland course played to Sorocaima’s strengths. They moved up the order from 13th after dressage to fourth at the end of cross-country and held that place in show jumping even after dropping two rails and incurring 0.4 faults in the stadium. “It’s nice to be sat on the Thoroughbred and it’s nice to have an event where the cross-country really matters. I feel like I now have a good cross-country horse and hopefully he’ll come out a bigger, stronger and better horse next year. It’s rewarding to move up in the cross-country.”

Of the 23 starters in the CCI5*-L, only eight returned to show jump on the final day, three from Great Britain (Townend, Doel and Bubby Upton on Cola), one from New Zealand (Price) and four from the USA (Davidson, Jennie Brannigan on Twilightslastgleam, Emily Hamel on Corvett, Lillian Heard Wood on LCC Barnaby). The small starting field made the 34.78 percent completion rate on cross-country even more impactful.

Other stats from cross-country were as follows. There were three rider falls and one horse and rider fall on course, with all reported to be OK (Harry Meade from Et Hop du Matz, Grace Taylor from Game Changer, Ema Klugman from Bronte Beach, and Boyd Martin who fell alongside Commando 3 at Fence 3A after falling earlier in the 3* from Mo Chroi).

Two riders were eliminated due to refusals, Cosby Green, who was the day one dressage leader with Highly Suspicious, and Canada’s Colleen Loach on FE Golden Eye. Canada’s Jessica Phoenix withdrew her first horse, Fluorescent Adolescent, prior to the start of cross-country. Due to Martin’s earlier falls, he chose to withdraw Tsetserleg TSF who would have run the 5* course next to last in the order. Seven riders retired on course: Tamra Smith (Mai Baum); Harry Meade (Away Cruising); Lindsay Traisnel (Bacyrouge); Tiana Coudray (Cancaras Girl); Allie Knowles (Morswood); Phoenix (Wabbit), and Joe Meyer (Harbin).

White Wins Over Large 3* Field

Sharon White, a member of the U.S. silver-medal team from the 2023 Pan American Games, piloted her 8-year-old Westfalen mare Jaguars Duende to top honors in the CCI3*-L division over 53 other starters on an impressive score of 29.6, jumping clean and within the time on both cross-country and in the stadium. White owns the mare, who is by Jaguar Mail, with Sandy Niles, Anita Antenucci and Beth Lendrum. The pair had also won a CCI3-L* at Tryon earlier in the season. She won $7,500 for their efforts in Maryland.

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White said that the Maryland event is a unique place, a good test of fitness and she thinks the cross-country is a very proper course. “The atmosphere is unreal and special in both the dressage and show jumping, so it’s such a good education for a horse. I want not to overwhelm them. If you really produce them confidently, sometimes you have to be a little patient and I don’t mind being patient. Now I look forward to what she does next year, but it’s not about next year either. Every moment is special with them. But if you really think big term, I think that’s how you produce horses for the highest level of sport.”

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic held the second spot throughout the event, finishing on 30.6. Will Coleman and Fahrenheit Addict grabbed third in the 3* with 31.5. Winner of the Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue Trophy for the highest placed American Thoroughbred horse in the CCI3*-L was Sarah Cousins with Wizard who finished in 17th place.

Swan Song for Course Designer Ian Stark

The cross-country course designer for all four years of the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill has been Scotsman and Olympic medalist Ian Stark. Stark, who turned 70 in February 2024, officially announced his retirement from course designing making, the 2024 Maryland 5 Star his last course. It was bittersweet for him as well as the riders and his many fans around the world.

Stark said he feels that the course at Fair Hill is a true international test for bold and accurate riders and provides an opportunity for North American riders to gain valuable experience. “The Maryland 5 Star gives North American riders the opportunity to compete at the highest level without the need to travel to Europe, and brings horses and riders from all over the world.”

The 6,410-meter course featured 28 numbered obstacles with 45 jumping efforts. With a prescribed speed of 570 meters/minutes, the optimum time to complete was 11 minutes and 15 seconds. Tyson Rementer was the course builder. In a nod to Stark, the final jump on cross-country was decorated as a Scottie dog. To take a virtual course walk of Stark’s final track, check it out on the CrossCountry app.

Stark says he plans to spend more time with his grandchildren and to start a few young horses he has waiting for him back home. He commented on the results from his final course and shared thoughts on his decision, “It wasn’t quite the day I was hoping to retire on; had there been a dozen go around, I would have been much happier. There were some unfortunate silly hiccups, but the good thing was that trouble was everywhere; it wasn’t one fence and from a designing point of view that is positive. I have had a great time here in Maryland, and America as a whole. I have always said in [my] mind and in my heart that this is the right time to retire.”

Townend commented on the cross-country results in the press conference at the end of the day. He feels that Maryland is going to be in the same league as Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky. “Last year’s course was tough; this year’s was a step up. It’s Ian’s last year, and why shouldn’t he let his imagination go a little wild? He wanted to build a five-star, and that’s what he’s done. It’s a fair course. It’s just [that] we haven’t got 80 runners, so when 23 set off and only 10 or 12 come home, it doesn’t look great. But, that’s nothing to do with being an unfair track. It’s just the field and the way it’s panned [out].”

It was announced by the Organizing Committee that course designer for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Pierre Le Goupil, will succeed Stark as the new Maryland 5 Star cross-country designer through at least 2027.

Young Event Horse (YEH) East Coast Championships

Two age divisions of the Dutta Corp. United States Eventing Association YEH East Coast Championships, presented by Dubarry of Ireland, also competed at the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. There were classes for 4-year-olds (30 competitors) and 5-year-olds (39 entries). The youngsters were judged on conformation, then performed a dressage test and a jumping test appropriate for each age group.

Madison Temkin won the 4-Year-Old group with Prime Star (88.60) ahead of Chris Talley on HM Belterra (86.86). In the 5-Year-Old class, Emily Bradford guided Rose Traveler to the win (88.94) with Alyssa Phillips and Centerfold taking second (88.61). Caroline Pamukcu finished third in both age groups, with HSH Hercules in the 4-Year-Olds (84.42) and HSH Afterglow in the 5-Year-Olds (86.60).

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For a complete set of orders of go and results go for the 2024 5* and 3* competition, as well as both divisions of the Young Event Horse, visit here.

On-demand replays of the Maryland 5 Star equestrian competition and the Maryland Corgi Cup are available by subscription on ClipMyHorse TV. For more information, click here.

Fun, Food & Entertainment

Beyond the exciting competition the, 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill offered so much for attendees to enjoy. A wide variety of shopping, dining and beverage choices, and hospitality club options were available. There was live musical entertainment each day, too. Children could enjoy the Maryland 5 Star Kids’ Corner where there were crafts, games and live animals to meet.

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Saturday featured the Local Beer, Wine & Spirits Expo hosted by Elk River Brewing Company and Sunday there was a Fresh Food Fest presented by Cecil County Agriculture. For the first time, adult sports fans had the opportunity to engage in betting on the competition.

Event sponsor MARS brought their popular VIPet Experience chalet and there was a constant stream of dog owners with their happy canines streaming in and out the doors. Several animal rescue groups brought adoptable dogs and cats and a rescue dog parade was featured on Sunday.

The Andrews Bridge Foxhounds made an appearance, as did “The Fluffy Eventer,” a Gypsy Vanner gelding who sports a mustache and an outgoing personality. Several famous event horses, and other award-winning equines, were featured in the Hall of Champions. Eventer Elisa Wallace performed with her Mustangs in addition to competing in the 3*. A polo demonstration was also on the schedule.

Welsh Corgi dogs and Shetland Ponies competed on the Fair Hill grass race course, too. This year’s winner of the Maryland Corgi Cup was Elevation Zoe, who crossed the finish line first for the third year.

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Future of the Maryland 5 Star

According to the Cecil County Whig, on October 17, 2024, the Cecil County Council voted 3-2 to approve a multi-million dollar agreement that will renew the Maryland 5 Star for the next five years, as well as bring back long-awaited Thoroughbred races to the Fair Hill facility. The agreement is between the County and the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland. The paper reported $450,000 will be directed towards continuing the 5 Star, an increase of $17,000 from the previous agreement of $433,000 and that the increase reflects the rise of expenses.

Jeff Newman, President and CEO of the Maryland 5 Star, said that the Organizing Committee is appreciative of the event’s sponsors for continuing to make the Maryland 5 Star possible. He specifically mentioned title sponsor MARS Equestrian™ and presenting sponsor Brown Advisory. “The weather was outstanding and the crowds throughout the weekend were incredible to see. Ian Stark’s final cross-country course was beautiful and challenged the sport’s most elite riders and their horses. Thank you to the FEI riders and officials for coming from around the world to help lay the groundwork for this event, to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to get it off the ground, and our fans who continue to show us amazing support every year. We look forward to seeing everyone back out at Fair Hill and in Cecil County in 2025.”

For information on the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, visit here.

The post 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Results and Recap appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Young History of the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill

It all began with the inaugural Maryland 5 Star Event in 2021 when local rider Boyd Martin piloted the Turner family’s 15-year-old Anglo-European mare On Cue to victory over 45 other entries. Martin, and his wife Silva and their family, live less than half an hour down the road from Fair Hill. The runner-up that year was Great Britain’s Oliver Townend riding Cooley Master Class. Tim Price of New Zealand took third on Xavier Faer. Jennie Brannigan from the USA riding Stella Artois placed fourth.

The next year, 2022, 25 entries competed. This time it was New Zealand’s turn with Tim Price capturing the top prize aboard Jean-Louis Stauffer’s 10-year-old Selle Français gelding Coup De Coeur Dudevin. The USA’s Tamra Smith guided Danito to second, and Townend again made a good showing for third with As Is. Phillip Dutton (USA), whose farm is also near Fair Hill, grabbed the fourth spot with Z.

Last year with 26 entries competing, Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and the 14-year-old British Sport Horse gelding Colorado Blue, owned by the rider and the Salty Syndicate, won their first 5*. British riders William Fox-Pitt on Grafennacht and Oliver Townend on Cooley Rosalent finished second and third, respectively. Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol HIM were the highest placed US competitors in fourth.

2024 Maryland at Fair Hill 5 Star Entries & Officials

The Maryland at Fair Hill Event not only offers the headliner CCI5*-L division, but also a CCI3*-L, which also serves at the United States Equestrian Federation National CCI3*-L Championship. Additionally, there are two age divisions of the United States Eventing Association’s (USEA) Young Event Horse series offered (one for four-year-olds and one for five-year-olds); these will serve as the Dutta Corporation USEA’s 2024 YEH East Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland.

Twenty-three competitors from five countries (Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, and USA) are set to compete in the CCI5*-L division sponsored by the Brown Advisory. They will be vying for part of $325,000 in prize money ($100,000 to the winner) plus a plethora of trophies, ribbons and gifts. Among several trophies offered is one for the highest-placed Thoroughbred; this award is sponsored by The Retired Racehorse Project in their ongoing mission to promote careers in sport beyond racing for Thoroughbreds.

Among the 2024 Maryland at Fair Hill 5 Star competitors are two previous winners, Boyd Martin and On Cue, and current FEI World Rankings number-three rider Tim Price with his 2024 Paris Olympics mount Falco. Also entered is world ranked number-five rider Oliver Townend who will ride his 2021 Kentucky Three-Day CCI5* winner Ballaghmor Class in Maryland. Townend is a three-time Maryland 5* top-three finisher and four-time Kentucky 5* winner.

Martin, who is currently ranked sixth in the world, also brings his long-time partner Tsetserleg TSF for the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Together, the pair has competed in the 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympic Games, won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games, and finished second in the 2019 Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*. Martin will also ride Commando 3, with whom he placed second in the 2024 Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4*-S this spring.

American rider Tamra Smith and her 2023 Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* winner Mai Baum are also contenders this year in Maryland. They were also members of the silver-medal winning U.S. squad at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Italy. The Maryland 5* is likely to be Mai Baum’s last run the 5* level, so Tamie is hoping for one more stellar performance from “Lexus.”

World number-eight rider from Great Britain, Harry Meade, is bringing two horses to Maryland, Away Cruising and Et Hop Du Matz. Meade comes into Maryland having placed third and fourth last month at the prestigious Burghley 5* in England.

Fellow Brit Bubby Upton will compete for the first time in the USA with Cola after the pair finished tenth at the 2024 Badminton Event in May. Upton is back in the saddle after a spinal injury suffered in 2023 and she hopes to make her first trip to North America a successful one.

Canadian Olympian and 2011 Pan American Games gold medal winner Jessica Phoenix is also set to compete in Maryland. She will ride the Thoroughbred gelding Wabbit, with whom she placed 20th in Maryland in 2022, and the colorful pinto Canadian-bred mare Fluorescent Adolescent who will be making her 5* debut.

Another rider local to the Fair Hill area who should have a huge cheering section is Buck Davidson, who brings his Kentucky Three-Day Event partner—the American-bred Thoroughbred Sorocaima—to Fair Hill. They finished sixth in the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L this spring, so watch for them to be in the mix on the final day.

Though the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Maryland field is small, it is packed with lots of talent even beyond the horse and rider duos mentioned above. Jennie Brannigan has finished very well in Maryland in the past and she and Twilightslastgleam finished 16th in Kentucky this spring. Joe Meyer (NZL) and Harbin and Emma Klugman (AUS) and Bronte Beach also finished 14th and 21st in the Kentucky 5* this spring, respectively. Great Britain’s David Doel has experience at the level too and brings Galileo Nieuwmoed to Maryland; this pair placed ninth at the Luhmühlen CCI5* this summer.

Tiana Coudray (from the USA, but now based in Great Britain) and Cancaras Girl had a great run at Badminton this spring too. Alexandra Knowles and Morswood, Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby, and Emily Hamel and Corvette, all have extensive five- star experience together as well. American Cosby Green is now based in England where she rides with New Zealand greats Tim and Jonelle Price; she and Highly Suspicious hope to do well in Maryland.

Another American rider based in Great Britain is Grace Taylor who brings her horse Game Changer for a shot at prize money in Maryland; they finished 18th in the 5* at Badminton this spring. Coming off a bronze-medal finish at the 2023 Pan American Games and fourth-place finishes this year at the American Eventing Championships (Advanced) and the Bromont Three-Day Event (CCI4*-S), Canadian Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge are seeking a solid performance at Fair Hill this week in their first start at the 5* level.

Officials for the CCI5*-L are: Technical Delegate, Alec Lochore (GBR); Assistant TD, Ataide Pereira (BRA); Ground Jury members, President Christina Klingspor (SWE), Valerie Pride (USA), and Xavier Le Sauce (FRA); Show Jumping Judges Gay-Ellen Dennis (CAN) and the Ground Jury members; Cross-Country Course Designer Ian Stark (GBR) assisted by Pierre Le Goupil (FRA); FEI Chief Steward Nicola Salmon (GBR) assisted by Helen Bowler (GBR).

Fifty-five riders from five countries (Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, USA) are entered in the CCI3*-L division. Total prize money offered in the CCI-3* is $25,000. There is also an award for the highest placed American Thoroughbred in the CCI3*-L sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue.

Officials for the CCI3*-L are: Technical Delegate Gary Parsonage (GBR); Ground Jury members, President Peter Gray (CAN), Richard Baldwin (GBR), Amanda Miller (USA); Show Jumping Judges Gay-Ellen Dennis (CAN) and the Ground Jury; Cross-Country Course Designer Ian Stark (GBR) assisted by Pierre Le Goupil (FRA); FEI Chief Steward Nicola Salmon (GBR) assisted by Helen Bowler (GBR).

The Dutta Corporation Young Event Horse competition has 30 entered in the 4-year-old division and 42 in the 5-year-old division. The YEH consists of conformation judging, a dressage test, and a round of jumping appropriate for the age group. The Young Event Horse judges will be: for the 5-year-olds, Sally Ike (USA) and Christian Schacht (GER), and for the 4-year-olds, Jeanne McDonald (USA), Marilyn Payne (USA), Anne Moss (USA), and Phyllis Dawson (USA).

Find a full set of entry lists for Maryland here.

About the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill

Since 1989, the Fair Hill International not-for-profit group, run largely by volunteers, has hosted eventing and other equestrian activities such as the Elk Creek Carriage Driving Event and the Foxcatcher Endurance Ride at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. In 2021, the state of Maryland, under the title Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, partnered with Fair Hill to produce the new 5* Event. Fair Hill International continues to offer lower-level eventing, schooling and clinics throughout the year as well.

While the other North American 5*, the now 45-year-old Kentucky Three-Day Event held in late April each year, is certainly the elder statesman of top-level eventing on this continent, newcomer Maryland 5* brings its own unique flavor to the table. Instead of the bluegrass, bourbon, barbecue, and southern hospitality of Kentucky, the mid-Atlantic state of Maryland boasts the scenic Chesapeake Bay with stunning waterfront views and maritime history, plus fresh-caught seafood, crab cakes and Old Bay seasoning, among other delights.

Beyond that, the Fair Hill area of Maryland is just a stone’s throw from the Pennsylvania and Delaware state borders, giving it a regional feel rather than that of just one state. Amish country in Lancaster, Pa., and the history-filled cities of Philadelphia, Pa., and Baltimore, Md., are all within an hour’s drive, and the University of Delaware in Newark is only about 20 minutes from the event grounds. This all adds to the melting pot of this interesting part of the country. Just like in Kentucky, people who live and work in the tri-state area around Fair Hill have pride of place and are friendly and welcoming.

A host of fun activities and entertainment await attendees at the 2024 Maryland 5 Star. Dog owners can bring their pets into the Mars VIPet Experience chalet for some fun and goodies, then pamper themselves with samples of event sponsor Mars’ high-end Ethel M chocolates at a tent in the shopping area. On Saturday, the event hosts a Local Beer, Wine and Spirits Expo and on Sunday, the Cecil County Agriculture group presents a Fresh Food Fest. There will be live entertainment each day as well.

There is also a Kid’s Corner which offers crafts, games, and a chance to meet some horses in the Hall of Champions and have insect encounters at the Fair Hill Nature Center. Children and adults alike will enjoy watching the Maryland Corgi Cup dog races, the lead-line pony racing and the Shetland Pony racing. Appearances by eventer Elisa Wallace performing with her Mustangs and the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds are also on the agenda. A rescue dog parade and a polo demonstration round out the entertainment schedule. A wide variety of shopping and dining options are available on grounds at the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, too.

2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Tentative Schedule:

Wednesday, October 16th

No ticket required for Wednesday.

CCI Competition First Horse Inspection presented by Dubarry of Ireland (Jog Strip)
◆ CCI3*, 1:00 p.m. EST
◆ CCI5*, 2:00 p.m. EST

Thursday, October 17th

Main Gate Open, 8:00 a.m. EST
Thursday Tailgating Access, 9:00 a.m. EST

CCI Eventing Dressage (Main Arena)
◆ CCI3* Dressage Day #1, 9:00 a.m. EST
◆ CCI5* Dressage Day #1, 2:00 p.m. EST

The Dutta Corporation USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) East Coast Championships Presented by Dubarry of Ireland
◆ YEH 4- and 5-Year-Old Dressage (Arena C) & Conformation Judging (Jog Strips), 8:00 a.m. EST
◆ YEH 4-Year-Old Jumping Competition in YEH Jumping Area in Timber Field, 10:00 a.m. EST
◆ YEH 4-Year-Old Awards Ceremony in YEH Jumping Area in Timber Field (approximately 5:00 p.m. EST)

Thursday YEH Tailgating (Timber Field)

MARS VIPet Experience
◆ All day

Kids’ Corner (All day, infield behind South Chalet Shops)
◆ Milburn Orchard, barnyard games and straw maze
◆ Fair Hill Nature Center, crafts and real life bugs to meet
◆ Cecil County YMCA, stick horse and turkey crafts
◆ Fluffy Eventer

Music on the Main Stage (Between MARS VIPet & North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ Acts and times to be announced

Retail Shopping
◆ Shops open from 9:00 a.m. EST – Gates Close

Friday, October 18th

Main Gates Open, 8:00 a.m. EST
Friday Tailgating Access, 7:00 a.m. EST

CCI Competition (Main Arena)
◆ CCI3* Dressage Day #2, 9:00 a.m. EST
◆ CCI5* Dressage Day #2, 2:00 p.m. EST

The Dutta Corporation USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) East Coast Championships Presented by Dubarry of Ireland
◆ YEH 5-Year-Old Jumping in YEH Jumping Area in Timber Field, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST
◆ YEH 5-Year-Old Awards Ceremony in YEH Jumping Area in Timber Field (approximately 5:00 p.m. EST)

Friday YEH Tailgating (Timber Field)

MARS VIPet Experience
◆ All day

Kids’ Corner (All day, infield behind South Chalet Shops)
◆ Hannimal Farm Petting Zoo
◆ Milburn Orchard, games and straw maze
◆ Fair Hill Nature Center, crafts and real life bugs to meet
◆ Cecil County YMCA, stick horse and turkey crafts
◆ Wolf Ear Decorating with Great Wolf Lodge
◆ Hall of Champions
◆ Fluffy Eventer

Elisa Wallace Mustang Demo (Main Arena during the lunch break)

Music on the Main Stage (Between MARS VIPet & North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ Acts and times to be announced

Retail Shopping
◆ Shops open from 9:00 a.m. EST – Gates Close

Saturday, October 19th

Main Gates Open, 8:00 a.m. EST
Tailgating Access, 7:00 a.m. EST

CCI Competition (Cross-Country Course)
◆ CCI3* Cross-Country, 9:00 a.m. EST
◆ CCI5* Cross-Country, 1:30 p.m. EST

Lead-Line Pony Racing & Shetland Pony Flat Racing Presented by Landhope Farms (Fair Hill Race Track along the rail in front of North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ Lead-Line Pony Racing, during Lunch Break between CCI3* & CCI5* Cross-Country
◆ Shetland Pony Racing, after CCI5* Cross-Country is complete (approximately 4:00 p.m. EST)

Cross Country Tailgating (Timber Field, Middle Hay Field, Sawmill Field)

MARS VIPet Experience
◆ All day

Sawmill Waterfront Club, Presented by Quarry View Building Group (Upper Sawmill Field)

Sawmill Crab Shack, Hosted by The Wellwood (Upper Sawmill Field)

Local Beer, Wine & Spirits Expo, Hosted by Elk River Brewing Company (Between Mars VIPet & North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm. EST)

Kids’ Corner (All day, infield behind South Chalet Shops)
◆ Hannimal Farm Petting Zoo
◆ Milburn Orchard, barnyard games and straw maze
◆ Fair Hill Nature Center, crafts and real life bugs to meet
◆ Cecil County YMCA, stick horse and turkey crafts
◆Wolf Ear Decorating with Great Wolf Lodge
◆ Fluffy Eventer

Music on the Main Stage (Between MARS VIPet & North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ Acts and times to be announced

Retail Shopping
◆ Shops open from 9:00 a.m. EST – Gates Close

Work to Ride Polo Demo (Main Arena)
◆ During the Lunch Break between CCI3* and CCI5*, immediately following Lead-Line Pony Racing, approximately 20-minute demo

Sunday, October 20th

Main Gates Open, 7:30 a.m. EST

CCI Competition (Jog Strip & Main Arena)

Second Horse Inspection Presented by Dubarry of Ireland (Jog Strip)
◆ CCI3*, 8:00 AM EST
◆ CCI5*, Immediately Following CCI3*

Show Jumping (Main Arena)
◆ CCI3* Show Jumping, 10:30 a.m. EST
◆ CCI3* Awards Ceremony, immediately following completion of 3* Show Jumping
◆ CCI5* Show Jumping, 2:00 p.m. EST
◆ CCI5* Awards Ceremony, immediately following completion of 5* Show Jumping

Andrews Bridge Foxhound Parade (Main Arena)
◆ Immediately following the CCI3* Awards Ceremony

Maryland Corgi Cup Presented by Major League Eventing (Fair Hill Race Track along the rail in front of North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ Preliminary Heats start at 9:30 a.m. EST (Or immediately following CCI5* Horse Inspection)
◆ Final Rounds and Championship will be immediately following CCI3* awards (approximately 12:00 pm. EST)

MARS VIPet Experience
◆ All day

Fresh Food Fest, Hosted by Cecil County Agriculture (Between the North Aintree Grandstand and MARS VIPet)
◆ 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST

Andrews Bridge Foxhound Parade (Main Arena)
◆ During Lunch Break

Rescue Dog Parade (Main Arena)
◆ Following the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds Parade

Kids’ Corner (All day, infield behind South Chalet Shops)
◆ Hannimal Farm Petting Zoo
◆ Milburn Orchard, barnyard games and straw maze
◆ Fair Hill Nature Center, crafts and real life bugs to meet
◆ Cecil County YMCA, stick horse and turkey crafts
◆ Wolf Ear Decorating with Great Wolf Lodge
◆ Hall of Champions
◆ Fluffy Eventer

Music on the Main Stage (Between MARS VIPet & North Aintree Grandstand)
◆ Acts and times to be announced

Retail Shopping
◆ Shops open from 9:00 a.m. EST – Gates Close

Plant Sale (Next to the Ticket Box Office)

Conclusion of Competition

Monday, October 21st

Fund Raiser Plant Sale (Next to Ticket Box Office)
◆ Mums, flowers, pumpkins and gourds used in course decoration
◆ 10:00 a.m. EST, until sold out

*All events and times are subject to change if necessary based on entry numbers at the sole discretion of the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland.
**Competition entries are subject to change due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances.
***The majority of retail vendors and food concessionaires will not open until the start of competition each day.

Find the full 2024 Maryland 5* schedule here.

Preview the 5* Cross-Country Course

Want to take a peek at the track that horse and rider combinations will be tackling in the Maryland 5* this weekend? Cross-Country Course Designer Ian Stark, a three-time Olympic and World Championships medalist and winner of the 1999 Badminton 5*, and legendary U.S. eventer and Olympic and World Championships gold medalist, Bruce Davidson, Sr. walk and discuss the new course on Instagram. Take a look here.

How to Attend or Watch the Livestream

Tickets are still available through the event website for advanced sales at special pricing through October 16. Then, tickets will be sold at the box office beginning on Thursday, October 17 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Single-day or multi-day packages available the event. Children under 10 are admitted free and active and retired military personnel receive a discount. At press time, a limited number of VIP hospitality and exclusive club packages were also available. Find ticket information here.

If you cannot get there in person to witness all of the sports action and fun activities, Maryland Public Television will be broadcasting the event for people in the local viewing area. Global viewing of the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is possible via ClipMyHorseTV which offers livestream and on-demand replay options (a subscription is required). Find more information here.

Visit HorseIllustrated.com for a wrap-up of the action from the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill after the close of the event.

Helpful Links

◆ Maryland 5 Star Main Website
◆ United States Eventing Association Maryland 5 Star Omnibus Listing

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