Fair Hill, MD-July 30, 2001-The spectacular Festival in the Country at the Fair Hill International is fast approaching, so mark your calendars and plan to spend October 25-28 in beautiful Fair Hill, MD.

This year's Festival features three exciting equestrian championships- the USET Fall Eventing Championship CCI***, the USET Four-in-Hand Driving Championship and the AHSA Single Horse Driving Championship-in addition to dog agility competition and the final leg of the Jaguar Triple Crown of Driving, presented by Driving Essentials/Glinkowski Carriages. The 2001 Jaguar Triple Crown of Combined Driving also includes The Laurels Driving Event on September 7-9 in Unionville, PA, The Gladstone Driving Event on September 21-23 in Gladstone, NJ.

The USET Fall Eventing Championship CCI*** is one of the most prestigious three-day events held in the United States and regularly draws Olympic and World Championship veterans such as defending champion Phillip Dutton, Karen and David O'Connor, Nina Fout and Bruce Davidson. The Fair Hill event is one of just two three-star competitions held in the United States each year, so riders prime their horses specifically to culminate their competitive seasons with this celebrated competition.

Likewise, the USET Four-in-Hand Driving Championship and the AHSA Single Horse Championship are among the season's highlights for combined drivers. Last year Tucker Johnson, Oldwick, NJ, won a record fourth straight four-in-hand title. In addition, Pam Pruitt, Durham, CT, won the singles title.

Dog agility is becoming an increasingly popular sport in the United States, and the Fair Hill International features some of the best canines in the country. In Dog Agility, the handlers direct their dogs over a timed obstacle course, and the canines race against the clock as they jump hurdles, scale ramps, burst through tunnels, traverse a see-saw and weave through a line of poles. With scoring based on faults similar to equestrian show jumping, Dog Agility has become an exciting spectator event.

The Fair Hill action begins on Thursday, October 25 with the driving dressage at 8:00 a.m., the three-day dressage at 9:30 a.m., and the Dog Agility at noon. The bountiful Food Court and Country Shoppes open at 9:00 a.m.

Friday features the exciting driving marathon from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and more three-day dressage beginning at 9:00 a.m. Dog Agility continues from noon to 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday the gates open at 7:30 a.m., and you can watch the thrilling eventing speed and endurance (cross-country) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In addition, the Trade Fair and Food Court opens at 9:00 a.m., and the driving cones will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The dogs will also be in action from noon to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday's action begins at 8:00 a.m., when the gates open. The Trade Fair and Food Court open at 9:00 a.m., followed shortly by the three-day stadium jumping at 10:00 a.m. and the awards ceremony at approximately 1:00 p.m.

For novices, The Fair Hill International will also host the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA) Area II Preliminary, Training & Novice Horse Trials' Championships. These East Coast Championships include dressage on Thursday, cross-country on Friday, and show jumping on Saturday, all from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Fair Hill International also features an Equine Health Pavilion, sponsored by Cosequin. The Equine Health Pavilion will feature educational opportunities with various vendors including The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine at the New Bolton Center.

The Fair Hill International gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors, without whom an event of this magnitude would not be possible, including Cosequin, the United States Equestrian Team, Agway, Bit of Britain, First Union Private Capital Management, Glenmede Trust, Jaguar, Outback Performance Wear with Gore-Tex Fabric by Outback Trading Company, Ltd., Pennfield Feeds, Practical Horseman, Scudder Financial Services, Southern States Cooperative, Supracor, Thornhill Enterprises, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Ltd., and Williams Chevrolet-Oldsmobile. For further information on the Fair Hill International, please call (410) 755-6065 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com.