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Beth Gold, 410-398-3745 or info@classic-communications.com

Fair Hill, MD-October 17, 2008- British Olympian Leslie Law holds a narrow lead over US Olympian Kim Severson following the Dressage phase in the US Equestrian Federation Fall Three-Star and Two-Star Eventing Championships at the Dansko Fair Hill International. The nation's leading horses and riders are competing through Sunday at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Area in the heart of beautiful Cecil Country, Maryland.

Early in the afternoon Severson, Individual Silver Medalist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, looked like she owned the top spot in the dressage phase of the CCI*** scoring 43.9 penalties on Tipperary Liadhnan. Law and Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val managed to overtake the Americans with 43.5 penalties. Law was happy with the test his 8 year-old Selle Francais performed, but felt that there was room for improvement. "There were a couple of little things that could have been better, but I was very happy with the way he went," said the Olympic gold medal winning veteran of his young charge.

"We're getting to know each other a little better. We lost marks on rider error, but I was very happy with the quality of his work." Severson felt that "Paddy" as her 11 year-old Irish Sport Horse is affectionately called, is still inexperienced and is benefiting from their appearance at Fair Hill. "He needs more mileage," said Severson. "I thought this event gave him the base that he needed."

Elkton resident Molly Rosin was able to breathe a sigh of relief after maintaining her lead in the CCI**. Riding her 10-year-old Hungarian Warmblood Havarah's Charly, Rosin was first after day one of dressage with 46.2 penalties. Kelly Prather and Ballinakill Glory, who competed on Friday, challenged the top pair with a strong test scoring 46.6, which was good enough for second at the conclusion of dressage. Competition continues on Saturday with the exciting Cross Country phase. Law echoes the sentiments of many of the riders here about what is needed to remain on top. "It is a very jumpable course," said Law. "I think it will be a cumulative effect. There is not really one jump that stands out. There are a lot of efforts with quite a lot to do at the end."

The Fair Hill International is celebrating its 20th year of presenting world-class equestrian competition as well as a wide array of family activities and attractions during its Festival in the Country. The final phase to determine the two events' winners takes place on Sunday with stadium jumping.

Adding to the family entertainment, Fair Hill's ever popular Dog Agility Trials, which draws over 400 canine competitors, is back this year. New to the Dansko Fair Hill Festival in the Country is The Art and Sport of Falconry With Live Birds of Prey, taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Master Falconer Mike Dupuy brings his audience up close and personal while he and his birds provide an unforgettable educational experience for people of all ages.

Members of the United States Pony Club will be on hand participating in the President's Cup Invitational Games. During the Games, riders in teams of five will compete in a variety of challenging and entertaining relay races; awards will be presented to winning teams on Sunday.

The Kids Corner is also back this year, offering a variety of activities for the younger set. Miniature horses will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday, and live music will be provided by Rebecca Pitre's Whoa Buddy Productions. Visitors may want to watch JoAnn Dawson's musical production, "HorsePlay," on Saturday. The play uses actors and horses to chronicle the relationship of man and horse throughout history. The Country Shops are back with a wide variety of shopping and dining, featuring vendors of tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons.

The Fair Hill Club offers fine dining, while visitors seeking a more casual snack or meal will find pubs around the Fair Hill grounds serving classic Maryland crab-cakes and other treats. In fact, the Maryland Department of Agriculture named the Fair Hill International as a "Maryland Top Event!"

The Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits Union Hospital in Elkton, MD. The hospital, whose mission is to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Cecil County and its neighboring communities, has been caring for area families and neighbors for nearly 100 years.

Healthy feet, healthy body, healthy planet. That's the spirit behind Dansko, founded in 1990 by husband and wife team, Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot, both former horse trainers. Now sold in over 3,000 leading independent retailer locations across North America, Dansko is the leader in all-day comfort footwear.

For more information on this year's Fair Hill, including how to purchase tickets, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com Presented by: