Family Fun Takes Center Stage at 2005 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country

Fair Hill, MD—September 19, 2005—Over its nearly 20-year history, the Fair Hill International Festival in the Country has earned a famed reputation for providing the finest in exciting, world-class equestrian competition. That reputation also applies to the many family-oriented attractions and demonstrations available throughout the event, which will return this year to the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in Fair Hill, MD, October 13-16.

Complementing the top-notch equestrian action, Fair Hill’s increasingly popular Dog Agility Trials will return this year with over 400 canine competitors, the largest number in its history. There will also be appearances by the Delmarva Miniature Horse Club, featuring driving and hunter/jumper demonstrations; canine Fly Ball competitions; Pony Club Games; sheep herding and Maryland State Police K-9 demonstrations. There are plenty of additional exciting activities planned, including the Kids Korner, offering activities for the younger set, and others.

Also returning are the Country Shops, boasting a wide variety of shopping and dining opportunities. The Shops include a vast array of vendors featuring tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons. The Fair Hill Club offers fine dining, while visitors seeking a more casual snack or meal will find pubs around the Fair Hill grounds serving classic Maryland crab-cakes and other treats. In fact, the Maryland Department of Agriculture named the Fair Hill International as a “Maryland Top Event!”

“There is always so much to see and do at the Fair Hill International,” said Fair Hill Executive Director Charlie Colgan. “The tremendous variety of top-quality attractions and demonstrations makes the event the perfect destination for a fun family outing!”

The 2005 Fair Hill International features the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) CCI*** Championship, one of the most prestigious three-day events in the United States; the North American Endurance Championship, a 100-mile FEI CEI**** Endurance Ride; as well as the return of an Advanced Level Combined Driving Competition. Riders competing in the CCI*** Championship will compete for a chance to win the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Challenge Trophy.

Fair Hill’s CCI*** is one of only two three-star events in the country. Top riders prime and condition their horses to meet the challenging obstacles Fair Hill presents every year. Regular competitors at Fair Hill include Olympic medal-winners such as last year’s winner Phillip Dutton, Karen O’Connor, Darren Chiacchia and Kim Severson, who won individual Silver and team Bronze Medals at the Athens Olympics. This year’s CCI*** will be run under the Olympic (short) format and once again serves as the USEF Three-Star Fall Championship.

The North American Endurance Championship will take place on Saturday, October 15, marking the second year the endurance competition has taken place on the same day as the eventing cross country. With the addition of the driving marathon on that day, October 15 promises to be one of the most action-packed days of equestrian sport ever seen.

Horses and drivers in the Advanced Level driving competitions will compete in single, pair, and four-in-hand divisions, and top competitors are expected in each division.

The 2005 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country will benefit Christiana Care Health System, one of the Chesapeake region’s largest not-for-profit health care providers. Christiana Care, which began in 1888, serves the people of Delaware, as well as neighboring areas of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It maintains a teaching hospital, which specializes in cardiology, cancer and women’s health services, and has trauma and neonatal intensive care units that offer an exceptional degree of care.

This year’s sponsors include Aventine Wealth Management; Bit of Britain; John K. Burkley Company; County Banking & Trust Company; Coventry Health Care; Dansko; M.H. Eby Trailers; Equestrian Entertainment Partners; First National Bank of North East; Glenmede Trust Company; Goldman Sachs & Company; W.L. Gore & Associates; Herr’s Foods; Morgan Stanley; Northview Stallion Station; Nutramax Laboratories; Southern States; Summit Aviation; Thoroughbred Charities of America; the U.S. Equestrian Team; Wachovia Wealth Management; Walnut Green Bloodstock.

For more information on the 2005 Fair Hill International, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com.