Tamie Smith, winner of the 2015 event with Mai Baum, returns to Fair Hill this year. Photo by Jenni Autry.
We barely have time to wash the mud off our boots after Boekelo because the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International is upon us! The action kicks off tomorrow with the first horse inspection starting at 1 p.m. EST, and EN will be bringing you coverage of the CCI3*, CCI2* and USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships all week long. Read on for what you need to know.
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What: The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International is one of five CCI3* events in North America and serves as the USEF National CCI3* Championships and USEF National CCI2* Championships. Fair Hill is a key event for riders hoping to aim for the Kentucky CCI4* the following spring, as Derek di Grazia designs the cross country course for both venues.
When: The full event schedule is available at this link. (Please check the link for the most updated version of the schedule, as frequent changes are being made.)
Wednesday, Oct. 11: First horse inspection at 1 p.m. EST
Thursday, Oct. 12: 8 a.m. EST start for YEH 4-year-old dressage. CCI2* and YEH 5-year-old dressage starts at 11 a.m. EST.
Friday, Oct. 13: 8 a.m. EST start for CCI3* dressage and the remainder of CCI2* dressage, as well as jumping for both Young Event Horse divisions
Saturday, Oct. 14: 9:30 a.m. EST start for CCI2* cross country, followed by CCI3* cross country at 1:45 p.m. EST
Sunday, Oct. 15: Final horse inspection starting at 8 a.m. EST, followed by CCI2* show jumping at 9:30 a.m. EST, then CCI3* show jumping at 1 p.m. EST
Where: Elkton, Maryland — the site of a newly proposed CCI4*, which if approved by the FEI will become the second CCI4* event in the U.S. and the seventh in the world.
Who is competing? We have 63 combinations in the CCI2* and 38 combinations in the CCI3*. While Phillip Dutton is noticeably absent due to a broken collarbone, we still have U.S. Olympians Boyd Martin, Will Coleman and Mara DePuy; Canadian Olympians Jessica Phoenix, Selena O’Hanlon and Colleen Loach; Australian Olympian Clayton Fredericks, and many more big names lining up. Click here to view the entry list.
Why should you go? Aside from offering an all-star lineup of some of the top horses and riders in the country, Fair Hill offers a slew of fun things you don’t want to miss. The Craft Beer Festival is at the top of our list, with more than 20 beers available to sample on cross country day.
The Gore Running Wear 5K will also take place Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m. Each 5K entrant receives two tickets to the Craft Beer Festival, plus two General Admission tickets to watch cross country. Click here to register.
There are numerous other special activities taking place throughout the weekend, including dog agility and frisbee dog demonstrations, performances from the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team and DVCTA Quad Squad, plus a Kids Corner with face painting and crafts.
What’s new this year? If you don’t want to splurge for tickets to the VIP Tent, Fair Hill has added more prime viewing options. You can join the Fair Hill Club to receive special parking for Saturday and Sunday, covered seating overlooking the Main Arena and access to food available for purchase.
Fair Hill has also added Lawn Box Seating for Sunday, which includes VIP parking, special lawn seating for six people overlooking the Main Arena, and access to food available for purchase. You can also bring your own food.
If you go: Online ticket sales have ended, but you can still purchase tickets at the gate for General Admission, the Craft Beer Festival, VIP Tent and Fair Hill Club. Click here for ticket information.
