The Fair Hill Organizing Committee (FHOC), an affiliate of the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland announced the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill be moved to October 14-17, 2021.
Cited were health and safety factors, in addition to other challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition had been scheduled for this October at the newly constructed Special Event Zone at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Cecil County, MD.
The event had been expected to provide a financial boost for the region, including neighboring New Castle County. The Fair Hill area is near Newark.
The vast Fair Hill property was sold to the state of Maryland by members of the duPont family and became a horse training and equestrian center. The property was upgraded as part of the effort to lure the international event.
The consensus was made that not being able to guarantee the health and safety of everyone and producing the event in a limited capacity was not a good idea in the event’s first year, a release stated.
“It was a very difficult decision and we are very disappointed for the competitors, fans and Eventing community,” said Jeff Newman, president of the Fair Hill Organizing Committee. “The Fair Hill Organizing Committee was created and tasked to plan and produce the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill as a world-class, international sporting event that includes an abundance of fan offerings drawing spectators from around the world to Cecil County and surrounding region.”
The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is the newest CCI5*-L Three-Day competition added to the international Eventing circuit. The event is one of only seven eventing competitions in the world, and second in the United States At the time of this announcement, six out of the seven five-star rated international events have been canceled in 2020.
Maryland Gov., Larry Hogan said, “The great State of Maryland remains a beacon for world-class events. We’re looking forward to hosting this international equestrian event in 2021 at Fair Hill’s newly designed Special Event Zone, while keeping public health and safety at the forefront of our planning. Maryland has deep roots in the equine industry and the Maryland 5 Star will mark a new era for the sport of Eventing in our state.”
“Cecil County remains fully committed to support the efforts of The Fair Hill Organizing Committee, Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill and the Fair Hill Special Event Zone,” said Cecil County’s County Executive, Dr. Alan McCarthy. “We eagerly look forward to hosting a great event in 2021 and showcasing all of the county’s incredible offerings to fans from around the world.”
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and United States Eventing Association (USEA) were also informed, supported FHOC’s decision, and confirmed the new dates on the schedule for the event in October 2021.
Fair Hill’s newly built Special Event Zone serving as the venue for the Maryland 5 Star features a new Ian Stark-designed cross-country course, as well as new dressage and show jumping areas constructed in the infield of the turf track.
For more information and to stay informed with Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill updates, visit Maryland5Star.us
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