FAIR HILL, Md.--All 76 horses entered in the CCU5*-L at the new Maryland 5* Event passed the jog on Wednesday, Oct. 13, and all but one of the 52 entered, Sharon White’s Cooley Kidaire, passed the CCI3*-L.

Oliver Townend (GBR), World No. 1 on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, with his accomplished gelding, Cooley Master Class (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Over 100 horses were presented to their respective Ground Juries along a new jog strip recently put in by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources ).

The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, one of only two 5 Star level events in the United States and just the seventh worldwide, runs Oct. 14-17 at the newly constructed Fair Hill Special Event Zone at Fair Hill in Elkton, Md, which is in  Cecil County.

The event’s prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, often described as an equestrian triathlon.

 

IN ADDITION to the 5 Star competition (CCI5*-L), the event also features a 3 Star competition (CCI3*-L), which is serving as the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship, and The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships.

Zara Tindall with Class Action (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)The four days of Eventing competition features Dressage on Thursday and Friday, Cross-Country on Saturday showcasing the new Ian Stark designed courses, and Show Jumping on Sunday.

Hound & Hare sponsored the horse inspections’ Best Dressed Awards, which were presented to three riders.

Astier Nicolas of France was named the Best Dressed Male of the 5 Star entries, with Lauren Nicholson the Best Dressed Female.

Meghan Pellegrini won the award for the 3 Star athletes.