United States Eventing Association

Fast Facts: MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill

Happy MARS Maryland 5 Star week, eventing lovers! This week, riders from all over the country will descend upon the grounds of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in Elkton, Maryland, for the CCI5*-L, USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship, and the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) East Coast 4- and 5-year-old Championships.

The Field

• Five countries are being represented in the five-star field: the USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
• In 2023 there were four Thoroughbreds competing in the five-star, and 2024 is the same. Be sure to cheer on Twilightslastgleam, Sorocaima, Harbin, and Wabbit!
• If you're looking to root for a U.S.-bred horse, you'll want to keep your eyes on Sorocaima, Twlightslastgleam, and Tsetserleg TSF.
• This year’s most popular breed amongst the riders is the Irish Sport Horse with six entries.
• There are 18 geldings and five mares on the roster.

• The youngest horse on the entry list is Et Hop du Matz at 10 years old. Meanwhile, three horses hold the tie for the most senior–On Cue, Mai Baum, and LCC Barnaby are all 18.
• Ten horses in the field are 15 years old or older.
• In addition to the FEI competition, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is also home to the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships. There are four graduates of the YEH program entered in this year’s five-star event.
• David Doel’s (GBR) entry Galileo Nieuwmoed is a decorated five-star horse, and since 2022 has had top-10 finishes at Luhmühlen, Burghley, Kentucky, and Pau. His FEI cross-country jump record is pretty spotless as well.
• Bubby Upton’s (GBR) Cola had an eighth place finish in 2023 at Badminton, followed by a 10th place finish there this year. The pair are coming into the event off of a win at the CCI4*-S at Hartpury where they finished on their dressage score of 26.0.

• There are some U.S. legends that need no introduction on this year’s entry list, but we will give you a quick rundown:
  • On Cue won this event in its inaugural year in 2021 with Boyd Martin and is back again hoping to add another Maryland 5 Star win to her record.
  • Martin is also bringing forward Tsetserleg TSF–Olympian, Pan American Games gold medalist, and 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event national champion.
  • Probably one of the fan-favorites this weekend just based on history alone is Tamie Smith’s Mai Baum who broke a 15-year-long dry spell of having a U.S. horse and rider win the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2023.
• Five horses will be attempting their first five-star: Highly Suspicious, Et Hop du Matz, Fluorescent Adolescent, Bacyrouge, and FE Golden Eye.

The Facts:

• Alex Lochore (GBR) is the Technical Delegate for the five-star.
• Christina Klingspor (SWE) is serving as President of the Ground Jury for the five-star and will be joined by Valerie Pride (USA) and Xavier Le Sauce (FRA).
• Ian Stark (GBR) has been the cross-country course designer since the events inception. This will be his final year.
• Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) is this year's show jumping course designer.
• The CCI5*-L is a qualifier for the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final that will take place at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.
• Live streaming information can be found here.
• The USEA will have a retail booth located near the front entrance to the event.

The Competition Schedule:

Wednesday, October 16th

• CCI3*-S Horse Inspection: 1:00 p.m. EST | Jog Strip
• CCI5*-L Horse Inspection: 2:00 p.m. EST | Jog Strip

Thursday, October 17th

• Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) 4- and 5-year-old East Coast Championships Dressage and Conformation: 8:00 a.m. EST | Jog Strip
• CCI3*-S Dressage: 9:00 a.m. EST | Main Arena
• Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast 4-year-old Championships Jumping: 10:00 a.m. | Timber Field
• CCI5*-L Dressage: 2:00 p.m. EST | Main Arena
• Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast 4-year-old Championships Awards: Approximately 5:00 p.m. | Timber Field

Friday, October 18th

• Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast 5-year-old Championships Jumping: 8:00 a.m. | Timber Field
• CCI3*-S Dressage: 9:00 a.m. EST | Main Arena
• CCI5*-L Dressage: 2:00 p.m. EST | Main Arena
• Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast 5-year-old Championships Awards: Approximately 5:00 p.m. | Timber Field

Saturday, October 19th

• CCI3*-S Cross-Country: 9:00 a.m. EST
• CCI5*-L Cross-Country: 1:30 p.m. EST

Sunday, October 22nd

• CCI3*-S Final Horse Inspection: 8:00 a.m. EST | Jog Strip
• CCI5*-L Final Horse Inspection: Immediately following CCI3*-S inspection | Jog Strip
• CCI3*-S Show Jumping: 10:30 a.m. | Main Arena
• CCI5*-L Show Jumping: 2:00 p.m. EST | Main Arena

Helpful Links

• Maryland 5 Star Website
• USEA Prize List
• Order of Go
• Schedule of Events
• Livestream
• USEA’s Coverage

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