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Articles: Press Release
Fair Hill International To Host 100-Mile Endurance Championship
Contact:
Marty Bauman (508) 698-6810,
classic.pr@verizon.net
FAIR HILL, MD—September 5, 2002—Known for attracting world-class equestrians
in eventing and combined driving, the Fair Hill International has added
another jewel -- a 100-mile endurance championship to be held as a kick-off
to the annual Fair Hill International Festival in the Country in October.
Sanctioned by the Federation Equestre Internationale (International
Equestrian Federation - FEI), the first Fair Hill International 100-Mile
Endurance ride will serve as the United States Equestrian Team (USET)
Endurance 100-Mile Championship.
The new endurance ride will kick off the 14th annual Fair Hill International
Festival in the Country. It will take place the weekend prior to the
driving and eventing championships, which are held October 24-27.
The competitions include the USET Three Star Fall Championship and the USA
Equestrian Single Horse Driving Championship, plus the final leg of the
Triple Crown of Combined Driving and the FEI North American Driving
Challenge. The endurance ride will take place on Saturday, October19.
The Fair Hill International will also host the United States Eventing
Association (USEA) East Coast Championships that include dressage on
Thursday, cross-country on Friday, and show jumping on Saturday, all from
8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
For years, the prestigious Fair Hill International has hosted high-level
competitions, attracting Olympic and World Championship veterans as well as
the brightest new stars in the equestrian spotlight. Now Fair Hill has
polished its reputation to a glossier sheen by including this cross-country
ride, the first 100-mile endurance ride in Maryland.
While Fair Hill has hosted 50-mile rides in the past, this is its first
100-mile course. The longer 100-mile competitions, considered the pinnacle
of endurance riding, can take from 9 to 14 hours to complete, depending
upon the terrain.
Designed by Lana Wright, who has designed the driving marathon course at
Fair Hill the past 12 years, the endurance course takes riders and horses
from the beautiful Fair Hill Department of Natural Resources Property into
Pennsylvania before winding its way back to Maryland.
Since this is the Festival's first endurance ride, officials aren't guessing
how many riders they'll attract, but it's highly anticipated that top-level
competitors will participate. Riders can work for special awards in the FEI
division and earn points towards the FEI Emirates Endurance World Master
Series. Or, riders can enter the AERC 50-Mile Ride or the AERC 100-Mile
Ride.
While horses and riders are center stage at Fair Hill, spectators can also
enjoy the Country Shops -- a variety of shops and eateries, with vendors
selling tack, jewelry, artwork, pet supplies, apparel and fine gifts. Fine
dining (including Maryland crab cakes) and casual snacks are available.
Other entertainment for families to enjoy at Festival in the Country
includes dog agility trials and miniature horse performances. A MASH unit
provided by the New Bolton Center will “perform” surgery on injured stuffed
animals—plus provide caps, masks and booties for kids! Friends from the
Winterthur booth will offer quick crafts for children, and the Chesapeake
Foundation Booth provides information on environmental concerns.
Without the support and funding from numerous sponsors, the Fair Hill
International would not be such a magnificent event. Special thanks and
recognition go to Cosequin, Dansko, the United States Equestrian Team,
Agway, Bit of Britain, First Union Private Capital Management, Glenmede
Trust, Practical Horseman, Scudder Financial Services, Southern States
Cooperative, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Ltd, and Wilmington Trust
Company.
Rain or shine, gates open at 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Tickets for all four days are $35 or $10 Thursday-Friday and $12
Saturday-Sunday. Children under 12 are admitted free.
For more information on the Fair Hill International, please call (410)
398-2111 or visit
www.fairhillinternational.com .
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