Inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill kicks off with first horse inspection

Athletes participating in the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill woke up to foggy weather on Wednesday, but the clouds did not detract from the stylish outfits and world-class horses presented in the event’s first horse inspection.

Over 100 horses (52 in the CCI5*-L, 76 in the CCI3*-L) were presented to their respective Ground Juries along a new jog strip recently put in by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). All horses but one – Sharon White’s (USA) 5 Star entry, Cooley Kidaire – passed the inspection.

All four Australian combinations – Ema Klugman and Bendigo, Dominic Schramm and Bolytair B, Clayton Fredericks and FE Stromtrooper, and Ryan Wood with Cooley Flight, are through the trot up and ready for the dressage.

Clayton is riding in the CCI5* on day one of the dressage, and the draw can be found here.
Ema and Dominic are riding in the CCI5* on day two of the dressage, and the draw can be found here.
Ryan is riding in the CCI3*L on day two of the dressage. You can view the draw here.

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

In addition to the 5 Star competition (CCI5*-L), the event also features a 3 Star competition (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 features Dressage (Thu-Fri), Cross-Country (Sat) showcasing the new Ian Stark designed courses, and Show Jumping (Sun).

Hound & Hare sponsored the horse inspections’ Best Dressed Awards, which were presented to three riders for their magnificent looks. Astier Nicolas (FRA) was named the Best Dressed Male of the 5 Star entries, with Lauren Nicholson (USA) the Best Dressed Female. Meghan Pellegrini (USA) took home the award for the 3 Star athletes.

Source: Event press release with edits from Equestrian Life

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