United States Eventing Association

International Horse Trials Kicks Off Eventing Season at Fair Hill

Fair Hill International celebrates 30 years of Eventing with the start of the Fair Hill International H.T., held April 13-15, at the idyllic Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.

Fair Hill International is a world-class venue, attracting top riders from across the country to compete in the Olympic sport of Three-Day Eventing. Seventy-five top horse and rider combinations have traveled to Fair Hill, Md., to contest the International CIC3*, CIC2* and CIC* divisions, using these as key preparatory runs for upcoming Three-Day Events (CCI) this spring. Fair Hill International also welcomes nearly 200 national competitors across Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary and Training divisions. 

Olympians and past Fair Hill International Three-Day Champions are sprinkled throughout the impressive entry list including Olympic bronze medalist Phillip Dutton, of West Grove, Pa., who boasts six entries, as well as his 2016 Rio Olympic teammate Boyd Martin, of Unionville, Pa., who has four rides. Switzerland’s Felix Vogg, the youngest winner of the FEI World Cup Eventing title, joins the U.S. entries in the three-star class with Jürgen Vogg’s Colero. Finally, 2014 Fair Hill CCI3* champion Cambalda makes an appearance in the Intermediate division with new rider Alexa Lapp, of Gap, Pa.

Competition gets underway Friday on the Gallaher side of the property with Dressage for the CIC3*, CIC2*, Advanced and Intermediate divisions at 7:45 a.m.

New this year, two- and three-star riders show jump in the main arena on Saturday, where Fair Hill International welcomes new show jumping course designer Marc Donovan. The thrilling cross country phase concludes the competition Saturday afternoon across Derek di Grazia’s challenging courses with best three-star combinations gunning for the $2,500 purse. 

In addition, Fair Hill International is pleased to host riders preparing for the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event, the only CCI4* in the Western Hemisphere, held April 26-29. These pairs will perform a combined test including a four-star dressage test on Friday and advanced show jumping on Saturday. 

Admission is free, and spectators are welcome to watch the thrilling competition and enjoy the natural beauty of the of the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. 

About Fair Hill International
For the last three decades Fair Hill International (FHI) has stood as one of North America’s most prestigious eventing venues. FHI welcomes beginner through Olympic level riders with both recognized horse trials and unrecognized starter trials. The crown jewel of the U.S. eventing season is The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Three-Day Event, held each October, which also hosts USEF CCI3*/CCI2* Eventing National Championship divisions. 

To learn more about Fair Hill International, visit www.fairhillinternational.com. 

For media inquiries, please contact the Press Officer: Shelby Allen, [email protected], 770-530-4937.