United States Eventing Association

Fast Facts: 2021 Fair Hill International April H.T. and CCI-S

The Fair Hill International April H.T. and CCI-S is back from April 9-11, 2021 after a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 shut down last year and with the calendar roll, it is two weeks before the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event – making it an ideal prep. The venue in Elkton, Maryland is hosting four USEA recognized events this year including the inaugural Maryland 5 Star this October.

The Field

• Fair Hill first added a CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) to their spring international event in 2011 and the level debuted with six entries. The biggest year was in 2015 with 24 entries when Matthew Brown and Super Socks BCF took the win. The pair is back this year in the Advanced division.
• In 2019 Fair Hill saw 20 starters in the CCI4*-S with Boyd Martin and On Cue winning. This year the pair are entered in the Advanced Combined Test so won’t be able to defend their title.
• Not a single pair made the time in 2019 over Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course and the fastest finishes still added 12.4 time penalties to their score if that is any indication of how the 2020 course will run.

• There are no horses making their CCI4*-S debut in the field, but two are making their first attempt at Advanced: Bronte Beach Z and Herculon.
• Bendigo, Delux Z, Favian, FE Lifestyle, Fernhill Singapore, Honor Me, LCC Barnaby, Steady Eddie, Stella Artois, Unmarked Bills, and Z are all using the Advanced division as their final prep run before the Kentucky CCI5*-L. Galloway Sunrise, Honor Me, and MW Gangster’s Game are using the CCI4*-S to prep for the five-star.
• Phillip Dutton is the only rider with two horses entered in the CCI4*-S. He is riding Carlchen, who recently broke the record for the Advanced dressage score and led after the first phase at the Carolina International CCI4*-S last month. Dutton’s second mount is the OTTB Sea of Clouds who he has brought up the levels from Beginner Novice.
• There are five USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) graduates competing in the CCI4*-S: Dutch Times, Twilightslastgleam, Truly Wiley, Master Frisky, and Never Outfoxed

The Facts

• Gretchen Butts is the FEI Technical Delegate and will be assisted by Tim Murray, who is also the technical delegate for the national divisions.
• The president of the ground jury for the CCI4*-S and CCI3*-S is Mark Weissbecker and he will be joined by Jane Hamlin. Janice Conlon is the president for the CCI2*-S and she is joined by Sara Miller Leary. Conlon is all presiding over the national divisions and is joined by Pam Wiedemann as a judge.
• The cross-country course designer for the CCI4*-S, Advanced, CCI3*-S, and Intermediate is Derek di Grazia while Nina Fout will be designing the CCI2*-S, Preliminary, and Training.
• All show jumping courses are to be designed by Ken Krome.
• $2,500 in prize money is available for the CCI4*-S.
• Spectators will not be allowed at Fair Hill in accordance with the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan guidelines and procedures. All those present on-site are asked to wear a mask at all times. Before you attend any FHI event please read these Travel Guidelines from the CDC as well as these Maryland Travel Guidelines.
• EHV-1: A valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required of all horses. This form is to be signed by an Accredited Veterinarian within 72 hours of arrival at Fair Hill and include each horse’s current Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis vaccination status per USEF competition rules. A copy of the CVI document must be presented for each horse upon arrival. Fair Hill International reserves the right to refuse entry to the grounds for horses that do not have a CVI and current Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis vaccination. Information about the COVID-19 and EHV-1 procedures are available here.
• Both the CCI4*-S and Advanced divisions are qualifiers for the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final that will take place at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds in August.

Competition Schedule

Friday, April 9

• 8:00 a.m. – CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, Advanced, and Intermediate Dressage

Saturday, April 10

• 8:00 a.m. – Preliminary and Training Dressage
• 8:00 a.m. – CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, Advanced, and Intermediate Show Jumping
• 9:00 a.m. – CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, Advanced, and Intermediate Cross-Country

Sunday, April 11

• 8:00 a.m. – Preliminary and Training Show Jumping
• 9:00 a.m. – Preliminary and Training Cross-Country

View the full schedule here.

Helpful Links

• Fair Hill Website
• USEA Prize List
• Entry Status
• Ride Times
• Live Scores
• Volunteer
• Event Coverage