Austin O’Connor riding Colorado Blue gave Ireland its first five star win in 58 years at the 2023 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Credit Shannon Brinkman
The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, presented by Brown Advisory, returns to the picturesque Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton (Cecil County), Maryland, October 17-20, 2024, as the storied tradition of Eventing - the ultimate test of horse and rider - continues.
The event continues to hold the distinction as one of only two 5 Star-level equestrian events of its kind in the United States and the seventh in the world. The 2023 event welcomed nearly 30,000 spectators across four days of action. The event showcases four days of Eventing competition, with Dressage (Thursday-Friday), Cross Country (Saturday) and Show Jumping (Sunday), offering $325,000 in total prize money, along with numerous special events and activities.
The prestigious 5 Star CCI5*-L designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, best described as an equestrian triathlon.
After a thrilling finish to the third edition of the Maryland 5 Star that saw Irish-born Eventer Austin O’Connor top the leaderboard in the 5 Star competition with a final score of 34.9, securing the first win for Ireland in the 5 Star in 58 years, anticipation and excitement are at all-time highs.
Over 160 competitors, featuring two of the top five world-ranked eventers in 2023, competed for glory with Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt aboard Grafennacht finishing just behind O’Connor with a final score of 35.3 and Oliver Townend (GBR) finishing third with a score of 37.1, riding a top Cooley Rosalent.
In addition to the 5 Star, the event features a 3 Star competition (CCI3*-L) won last year by Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships Presented by Dubarry of Ireland on Thursday and Friday, showcasing divisions for 4-and-5-year-old horses. The 4-Year-Old Championships were also won by Pamukcu and Boyd Martin (USA) took him the championship in the 5-Year-Old event.
This event attracts top eventers from around the world, offering spectators the chance to witness world-class performances up close, particularly this year with a potential number of eventers expected to participate having taken part in the Summer Olympics in Paris.
“Building off the excitement and historical nature of last year’s 5 Star event, we look forward to continuing to elevate this world-class experience for equestrian fans and families of all ages,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the Maryland 5 Star. “There is not a better venue than the one we have at Fair Hill and that was proven to audiences around the world after last year’s Cross-Country Saturday event. The competition is top-notch and we expect an elite group of equestrian riders and horses coming to Cecil County this year, including a number of competitors who were part of the Olympics in Paris. We look forward to seeing everyone in October as we carry on the proud tradition of Eventing at its highest level.”
Tickets for “The Place to be in October” – including reserved tailgate spots – are on sale now at Maryland5Star.us/tickets. A variety of single and multi-day ticket packages along with exclusive Club and VIP Hospitality packages, including the Sawmill Waterfront Club are available and General Admission tickets start at just $15. General admission tickets are free for children 10 and under with a paying adult. Visit maryland5star.us for more ticketing information, tailgating package availability, directions, details on lodging and more.
The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory is produced by the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland and hosted in beautiful Cecil County, MD. Cecil County is a place of opportunity for all, known for economic vitality, quality education, and safe communities. The county is ideally located halfway between Baltimore and Philadelphia, and halfway between Washington DC and New York. Cecil County is also tops in the state for equine value and home to the largest Standardbred horse farm in Maryland.