first published in the October 2024 Equiery
This year marks the fourth annual MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, presented by Brown Advisory. The event is one of only seven five-star events in the world, and one of only two here in the U.S. The competition takes place at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County October 17-20.
A CCI5* is the highest level of competition in the sport of Eventing, higher even than the Olympics, and it has three phases of competition: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Each horse and rider combination must complete all three phases. Because the competition is so physically demanding, riders must present their horses to a ground jury for a horse inspection (aka “jog”) at the start of the competition and again between the cross-country and show jumping phases
In addition to the CCI5, the event also runs a CCI3L and hosts the Dutta Corp. U.S Eventing Association Young Event Horse East Coast Championships. A full competition schedule for the week can be found at maryland5star.us.
This year, the Local Beer, Wine and Spirits Expo, hosted by Elk River Brewing Company, is back on Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. Located near the main entrance, admission to the Expo is free with any Saturday event ticket purchase. On Sunday, October 20 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., spectators can enjoy the Maryland Food Fest, hosted by Cecil County Agriculture. The festival is also located near the main entrance and is free for those with any Sunday event ticket.
Back by popular demand is the third annual Maryland Corgi Cup on Sunday. The races will take place on the turf track with preliminary heats tentatively scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. The final rounds and championship race will take place between the CCI3* and CCI5* show jumping competitions.
Also back this year is the Hall of Champions, located at the race barns near the main arena. Spectators can get a close look at several internationally renowned horses from the Cecil County area. Photo ops are also available. The list of this year’s participating horses will be posted on maryland5star.us later this month.
U.S. Pony Racing is sponsoring two pony races during Saturday’s cross-country competition. The Leadline Trot Race, for children under the age of 7, will be held on the turf track between the CCI3* and CCI5* divisions. Shetland Pony races will take place after the conclusion of the CCI5* division.
A Kids’ Corner in the infield has been expanded this year to include interactive games and other activities from partners Milburn Orchard, Great Wolf Lodge, the Maryland Horse Industry Board, The Fluffy Eventer and more. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, children can enjoy barnyard games, explore a straw maze, jump around a bounce house, create their own Stick Pony and also see various animals in the petting zoo. A full schedule of Kids’ Corner activities can be found at maryland5star.us/kids-corner/.
Don’t forget that all ticketing, schedules, and general information, as well as parking guide can be found at maryland5star.us! Plan your viewing spots for this year’s cross-country day with course maps in the October print edition!
