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The Maryland 5 Star equestrian competition at Fair Hill will not be held in 2026, organizers announced this week, though a smaller international event is expected to take place at the Cecil County venue later this year.
The United States Equestrian Federation announced that the Maryland 5 Star, which had been scheduled for October at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, has been canceled for 2026. The event has been held annually at the state-owned facility since 2020 and is one of only seven competitions worldwide at the sport’s highest level of eventing.
In a statement, the Fair Hill Foundation said organizers decided to pause the five-star competition while restructuring leadership and operations to support the event’s long-term future.
“This pause reflects confidence – not uncertainty,” the foundation said in its announcement. “It is a proactive step grounded in responsible stewardship and a shared belief that the Maryland 5 Star deserves the time, leadership, and operational depth required to thrive for decades to come.
“The Foundation is confident in this direction and will continue to provide support through various means to ensure a strong return in 2027.”
Despite the cancellation, international eventing will continue at Fair Hill in 2026. Organizers plan to hold a CCI3-L competition, a lower-tier but still significant event on the global eventing circuit, during the same October timeframe.
The competition will be organized with support from Fair Hill International, a longtime event management group associated with equestrian competitions at the venue. Organizers said the event will provide continuity for riders, owners and spectators while planning continues for the return of the Maryland 5 Star.
Fair Hill’s five-star competition quickly gained prominence after launching in 2021, drawing elite riders from around the world to the northeastern Maryland venue. The event was developed as part of a major state investment to transform the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area into an international equestrian competition site.
The venue’s Special Event Zone includes a cross-country course, arenas and spectator infrastructure designed to host major competitions.
Foundation leaders said planning is already underway for the Maryland 5 Star to return in 2027 with a new leadership structure and expanded organizational support.
The nonprofit Fair Hill Foundation helps raise funds for improvements and operations tied to equestrian competitions at the Fair Hill venue, which is owned and managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Organizers said additional details about the 2026 CCI3-L event are expected to be released in the short term.
Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at [email protected] or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
Continue reading...
The United States Equestrian Federation announced that the Maryland 5 Star, which had been scheduled for October at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, has been canceled for 2026. The event has been held annually at the state-owned facility since 2020 and is one of only seven competitions worldwide at the sport’s highest level of eventing.
In a statement, the Fair Hill Foundation said organizers decided to pause the five-star competition while restructuring leadership and operations to support the event’s long-term future.
“This pause reflects confidence – not uncertainty,” the foundation said in its announcement. “It is a proactive step grounded in responsible stewardship and a shared belief that the Maryland 5 Star deserves the time, leadership, and operational depth required to thrive for decades to come.
“The Foundation is confident in this direction and will continue to provide support through various means to ensure a strong return in 2027.”
Despite the cancellation, international eventing will continue at Fair Hill in 2026. Organizers plan to hold a CCI3-L competition, a lower-tier but still significant event on the global eventing circuit, during the same October timeframe.
The competition will be organized with support from Fair Hill International, a longtime event management group associated with equestrian competitions at the venue. Organizers said the event will provide continuity for riders, owners and spectators while planning continues for the return of the Maryland 5 Star.
Fair Hill’s five-star competition quickly gained prominence after launching in 2021, drawing elite riders from around the world to the northeastern Maryland venue. The event was developed as part of a major state investment to transform the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area into an international equestrian competition site.
The venue’s Special Event Zone includes a cross-country course, arenas and spectator infrastructure designed to host major competitions.
Foundation leaders said planning is already underway for the Maryland 5 Star to return in 2027 with a new leadership structure and expanded organizational support.
The nonprofit Fair Hill Foundation helps raise funds for improvements and operations tied to equestrian competitions at the Fair Hill venue, which is owned and managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Organizers said additional details about the 2026 CCI3-L event are expected to be released in the short term.
Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at [email protected] or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
Continue reading...
