Fair Hill, Maryland-October 17, 2004- The inclement weather could not dampen the excitement of the Fair Hill International CEI*** 100-Mile FEI Endurance Ride at the at the 16th annual Fair Hill International Festival in the Country, presented by Dansko, on Saturday. After 100 grueling miles, it was a thrilling race to the finish with the top four only seconds apart. In the end it was Tom Hutchinson of Bethel, ME, aboard Prymtym crossing the wire first to win in a ride time of 11:42:33.

Ryan Rawaki, the 18-year old rider from Ontario, CAN came in only three seconds behind to finish in a ride time of 11:42:36 riding JC Quick Quint. The pair was also awarded the prestigious Best Condition award. Third place went to Connie Walker riding Electric Smoke in a ride 11:42:54. Walker received the mount just two days prior to the ride from owner Jonie Bruker. Two-time World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy of Ft. Valley, VA and Shah Don led for most of the final nine miles, but wound up fourth in a ride time of 11:42:59.

This was the biggest career win for Hutchinson, who trained in the mountains of Maine to prepare for the ride. Hutchinson gave all the credit to his Asgard Arab gelding. "Prymtym is an unbelievable horse," said Hutchinson. "He is phenomenal. This is so great, I would have been happy just to finish in the top ten."

In the 50-mile American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Endurance ride the top two finishers crossed the wire together, but the win was credited to the defending champions Brenda Sensensey and To the Moon. Second went to Frances Ligler and Chynna. Bob Walsh finished third riding Lojtie.

Competition at the Fair Hill International culminates with the show jumping phase of the Fair Hill International CCI*** on Sunday.

World-class equestrian competition at the Fair Hill International is an ideal family outing. In addition to world-class competition, the event features a wide variety of shopping and dining. The Country Shops offer a little bit of everything including 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!"

Fair Hill's ever-popular dog agility trials have returned this year with over 400 canine competitors. Additional activities include Maryland State Police K-9 demonstrations and appearances by the Delmarva Miniature Horse Club, presented by the Canis Lupus Wolf Foundation and Whispering Horse Farm. Other activities include friends from the Winterthur booth, offering quick crafts for children and a family sign-up opportunity, and the Chesapeake Foundation Booth, where spectators can learn more about the Chesapeake Bay and related environmental concerns.

The 2004 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country, presented by Dansko, benefits Christiana Care Health System, one of the Chesapeake region's largest not-for-profit health care providers. Christiana Care, which began in 1888, serves the people of Delaware, as well as neighboring areas of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It maintains a teaching hospital which specializes in cardiology, cancer and women's health services, and has trauma and neonatal intensive care units that offer an exceptional degree of care.

This year's Fair Hill International sponsors include American Home & Hardware; Bit of Britain; Cosequin/Nutramax Labs; County Banking & Trust Co; Dansko; The Equiery; Glenmede Trust Company; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation; Jeff D'Ambrosio Chevrolet; Maryland Horse Industry Board; M. H. Eby, Inc.; Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit; Primedia Equine; Rice, Unruh & Reynolds; Stancill's; The Stewart Foundation; Summit Aviation; Thoroughbred Charities of America, Ltd.; Wachovia; Walnut Green Bloodstock; and Wilmington Trust.

Tickets for the 2004 Fair Hill International are available at the gate. Further information is available by calling 410-398-2111 or by visiting http://www.fairhillinternational.com/.