Fair Hill, MD—October 12, 2001—Olympic Gold Medalists David O’Connor and Phillip Dutton head the list of world-class eventing competitors entered in this year’s Fair Hill International CCI***, October 25-28 at the Natural Resources Area in Fair Hill, MD.

O’Connor, who won the individual Gold Medal in eventing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, will be seeking his fourth title at the Fair Hill International. He is entered to compete on five mounts, Grand Teton, Tigger Too, The Native, Fox in Flight, and Rattle ‘N Hum, the horse he rode to the Fair Hill Championship in 1999. O’Connor won the Fair Hill International title in 1993, 1997 and 1999. He also won the USET Fall Championship at Fair Hill in 1995 when he placed second to Australia’s David Green.

Dutton, who won team Gold Medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, won the championship at Fair Hill in 1996 and 2000. The Australian looks forward to another showdown with his American friend O’Connor. Dutton is entered to compete aboard House Doctor, Horton Who, and Caman Went. “David and I enjoy competing against each other,” Dutton said. “Fair Hill is an event where we have both done well and I know we’re looking forward to meeting there this year.”

Fresh off her Blenheim Petplan International Three Day Event CCI*** victory in Woodstock, England last month, Kimberly Vinoski of Scottsville, VA, will also vie for the Fair Hill title. Vinoski, who finished third at Fair Hill last year, is entered to compete with two horses, Winsome Adante and Jerry McGerry.

Sydney Olympic veteran Julie Burns of Newnan, GA will also compete for the prestigious title, as will John Williams of Middleburg, VA who rode for the USET in the 1991 Pan American Championship. The Fair Hill International will see a record number of eventers this year, with riders representing Ireland, Mexico, Canada and Finland, as well as Australia and the United States.

The Fair Hill International hosts the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Fall Eventing Championship CCI***, one of just two three-star competitions held annually in the United States, and a variety of prestigious driving competitions: the USET Four-In-Hand Driving Championship; the AHSA Single Horse Driving Championship; the AHSA National Combined Driving Pony Championships; and the final leg of the Jaguar Triple Crown of Driving, presented by Driving Essentials/Glinkowski Carriages. The Fair Hill International also serves as a USET selection trial for the 2002 Four-In-Hand and Singles Driving World Championships, to be held in Jerez, Spain and Conty, France, respectively.

While taking a break from the equestrian competition, visitors will be able to enjoy the variety of shopping and dining opportunities at the Fair Hill International Festival in the Country. The Country Shops feature vendors of tack, artwork, pet needs and fine apparel for a unique opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping. The Fair Hill Club provides a fine dining experience, while others seeking a more casual snack or meal will enjoy Blue Marlin Catering’s pubs around the Fair Hill grounds and the classic Maryland crab-cakes.

The Equine Health Pavilion, sponsored by Cosequin, will feature educational opportunities with experts from the New Bolton Center at The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Smartpak (custom packager of daily supplements for equine feed), and Pennfield Feed together with Kentucky Equine Research, a leading equine nutrition, research and consultation company. Talks, demonstrations, and autograph sessions with international stars of eventing and combined driving will round out the opportunities in the Equine Health Pavilion.

Tickets for the Fair Hill International are available by the day, or as a four-day pass. On Thursday and Friday, tickets are $8.00 per person; Saturday’s admission fee is $12.00; Sunday’s is $10.00. A Four-Day Pass is only $30 per person. Children under 12 are admitted free. Parking is $5.00 per car.

The Fair Hill International is sponsored by Cosequin, the United States Equestrian Team, Banner Life Insurance, Bit of Britain, First Union Private Capital Management, Glenmede Trust, Jaguar, Nawpac, 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, and Thoroughbred Charities of America, Ltd. For more information on the Fair Hill International, or to order tickets, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com .