Two of the World’s Top 5 Set to Compete in 5 Star Competition at Fair Hill
Fair Hill, Md. – The list of athletes for the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory have been announced, with plenty of star power at the top for the 5 Star (CCI5*-L) competition, featuring four of the world’s top 10 FEI Eventing athletes, two of which are former Maryland winners. A total of 23 pairings officially entered the CCI5*-L competition as of October 1, with talented pairs from North America and internationally from the likes of Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
World No. 3 Tim Price (NZL), who claimed victory at the 2022 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill event, will return, this time with Falco, whom Price partnered with for a sixth place individual finish at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Seeking his first victory in Maryland is World No. 5 Oliver Townend (GRB), riding atop Ballaghmor Class. Townend’s resume is decorated, with the legend having won the Burghley Horse Trials twice (2023 and 2017) and the Kentucky Three Day Four times (2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024). Townend finished third the last two years at Maryland and was runner up in 2021, won by Paris Olympian Boyd Martin (USA).
Martin, the current World No. 6, will bring a trio of horses to Maryland, including the stalwart On Cue, which he rode to victory in the inaugural event in 2021. The other two horses of Martin’s, Tsetserleg TSF and Commando 3 will be contesting the Maryland event for the first time. Tsetserleg TSF, a crowd favorite, has represented the United States twice at the FEI World Equestrian Games, in addition to winning Team and Individual Gold at the 2019 Pan American Games. A four-time Olympian, Martin was most recently 10th at the Paris Olympic Games.
Other headlines of note about this year’s 5 Star (CCI5*-L) athlete lineup:
- Tamra Smith and Mai Baum make a triumphant return to 5 Star competition after winning the Defender Kentucky CCI5* in 2023. Smith has indicated that this will be Mai Baum’s last 5 Star event, wrapping up a prolific career across three continents. Smith and Mai Baum were members of the Silver-medal winning team at the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games.
- Jessica Phoenix (CAN) competes in Maryland with two horses – Fluorescent Adolescent and fan-favorite Wabbit. The Pan American Games Gold medalist from 2015 is also 3-time Olympian (2012, 2016 and 2024) – she technically went in 2020 as well, but withdrew before competition. Her colorful mare Fluorescent Adolescent is making her five-star debut. Phoenix looks to improve upon her top 20 finish when she rode Wabbit at Maryland in 2022.
- World No. 8 Harry Meade is an FEI World Equestrian Games team silver medalist for GBR (2014) and is coming in to Maryland on a hot streak with 3rd and 4th place finishes at the Burghley CCI5* last month. He will bring two horses to Maryland – Away Cruising and ET HOP DU MATZ.
- Bubby Upton returned from a spinal injury in summer of 2023 to finish 10th at the MARS Badminton CCI5* with Cola and makes her Maryland (and US) debut. She is a multiple Junior Europeans medalist with seven team and individual medals to her name from these competitions.
In addition, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill also features a large CCI3*-L entry list, as well as entries for The Dutta Corp USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland for 4-and 5-year-olds. In total, 130 pairs will take part between the 3* and the YEH Championships.
The Maryland CCI3* field has become THE destination for horses at the level. Martin brings forward two more chances for a win in Elkton, with Barney Rubble and Mo Chroi. The top two from the recent American Eventing Championships, Alexandra Knowles and P.S. I Love You and Alexandra Baugh and Hubert des 3 Arbres go head-to-head again. Baugh was also second in the Plantation Field CC13*-S in September. Will Coleman, London 2012 Olympian, will compete with one of his top younger horses in the CCI3*-L in Fahrenheit Addict.
The Dutta Corp USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland is the showcase of young equine talent in the USA. Olympians Phillip Dutton and Caroline Pamukcu bring forward their top young talents and Irish rider Tim Bourke, who is always a threat in these championships, has both a four and five year old entered.
“On the heels of a thrilling end to the 2023 event, the anticipation to see this elite group of world-class athletes and horses up close has never been higher,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. “We are so excited to welcome back a group who have performed very well in the past here at Fair Hill, along with an influx of talented competitors from the United States and internationally. We cannot wait for the crowds to arrive to watch all of the incredible action.”
Tickets for the fourth edition of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Presented by Brown Advisory are available at Maryland5Star.us/tickets. A variety of single and multi-day ticket packages along with General Admission tickets starting at just $15 can be purchased. Exclusive Club and VIP Hospitality packages are still available but going fast as well. The on-site Box Office at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone will be open starting on Thursday, October 17th at 9:00 a.m.
Guests can also purchase the MD5Star Radio powered by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase a radio (earpiece) in advance of and during the event (based upon availability) and listen to live broadcast commentary and stream throughout both the 3 Star and 5 Star competitions Thursday through Sunday.
For fans that cannot attend this year’s event, all of the action can be watched live, regionally with Maryland Public Television (MPT), who will serve as the regional broadcaster and livestream provider of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill for the fourth consecutive year or with ClipMyHorseTV as the Official Global Livestream Partner.