Sep 17, 2021

Oliver Townend Heads All-Star List of Athletes Entered to Compete at Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill

By Maryland 5 Star - Edited Press Release
USEA/ Leslie Mintz photo.

Baltimore, Maryland – September 17, 2021 – Oliver Townend of Great Britain, World #1 on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, heads an All-Star list of riders currently entered to compete in the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. The list also includes the world’s #2, #7 and #8 ranked riders as well as Olympians from five countries. Townend will compete with his accomplished gelding, Cooley Master Class, winner of back-to-back Kentucky Three-Day titles (2018-2019).

The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, one of only two five-star level events in the United States and just the seventh worldwide, is set for October 14-17 at the newly constructed Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland (Cecil County). The event’s prestigious five-star (CCI5*) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, often described as an equestrian triathlon.

Joining Townend, team Gold Medalist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, are previously announced New Zealand Olympians Tim and Jonelle Price, ranked #2 and #7 respectively, plus the entire U.S. Olympic Team from Tokyo:

  • Phillip Dutton (USA) – seven-time Olympic veteran with two team Gold Medals and the 2016 individual Bronze
  • Boyd Martin (USA) – three-time Olympic veteran and World ranked #8
  • Doug Payne (USA) – sixth-placed individual at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and World ranked #20

Joining them are the following Olympic veterans representing Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and the U.S.

  • Clayton Fredericks (AUS) – two-time Olympic veteran and 2008 team Silver Medalist
  • Hawley Bennett-Awad (CAN) – two-time Olympic veteran
  • Jessica Phoenix (CAN) – two-time Olympic veteran
  • Leslie Law (GBR) – two-time Olympic veteran with two team Silver Medals and the 2004 individual Gold
  • Joe Meyer (NZL) – 2008 Olympic veteran
  • Lauren Kieffer Nicholson (USA) – 2016 Olympic veteran and World ranked #15
  • Will Coleman (USA) – 2012 Olympic veteran

The full list of entries to-date is available at https://maryland5star.us/entries/. FEI definite entries close on September 30. More announcements will be made as entries continue to come in.

In addition to the five-star competition (CCI5*-L), the event will feature a three-star competition as well (CCI3*-L), which is serving as the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship, and The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships Presented by Dubarry of Ireland. The four days of eventing competition will feature dressage (Thu-Fri), cross-country (Sat) showcasing the new Ian Stark designed courses, and show jumping (Sun).

For ticket information please visit https://maryland5star.us/tickets/.

About the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill:

One of only two five-star events in the United States, and just the seventh worldwide, the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill will continue the storied legacy of Eventing at the new Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland, located in Cecil County. The prestigious five-star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, best described as an equestrian triathlon. The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is produced by The Fair Hill Organizing Committee, an affiliate of the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, and in partnership with Fair Hill International. The Maryland Food Bank serves as an event beneficiary.

Dec 21, 2024 Education

3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025

With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.

Dec 20, 2024 Sponsor

“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.

Dec 19, 2024 Volunteers

The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering

With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dec 18, 2024 Association News

USEA Office Closed for Holidays

The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA