Statewide public TV network will offer live and recorded coverage of four-day international equestrian competition starting October 16
OWINGS MILLS, MD – Maryland Public Television (MPT) will serve for the fifth year as the official regional broadcaster and livestream provider of the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, one of only two 5 Star level equestrian events in the sport of Eventing in the United States and among seven worldwide. The statewide public TV network, in partnership with the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, will offer viewers more than nine hours of live coverage during the four-day event on MPT, the MPT livestream, and the free PBS app. An event preview is available on MPT’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/T3AdeT8tmIc.
This year’s competition, October 16-19, takes place at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County (Elkton), Maryland. The facility features world-class equestrian arenas, a turf track, and cross-country courses. Expected to participate in this year’s Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill are top horses and riders from the United States and countries around the world.
The prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing; the ultimate test of horse and rider. Eventing combines the skills of a single horse and rider in competition against other horses and riders across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. It is one of the few sports where men and women compete alongside one another as equals, up through the Olympic-level.
MPT’s schedule of coverage (subject to change) during the four-day competition is as follows:
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- Thursday, Oct. 16: Live coverage of dressage from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 17: Live coverage of dressage from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 18: Live coverage of cross-country from 1:30 pm to 4 p.m. and an encore broadcast
from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Sunday, Oct. 19: Live coverage of show jumping and awards ceremony from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and
an encore broadcast from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Sunday, MPT begins its Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill coverage at 1:30 p.m. with a half-hour pre-competition show featuring Nancy Yamada anchoring the MPT Sports Desk live from Owings Mills.
Viewers will learn about various elements of the four-day competition, as well as activities and attractions at the event site. These include the Local Food Festival showcasing many of the finest Maryland farmers, growers, and makers, the Kids’ Corner, featuring a petting zoo, interactive games, and other family-friendly activities, over 100 retail shopping vendors and food options, and the 4th annual Maryland Corgi Cup, with races featuring some 125 corgis, on Sunday, October 19.
For the first time at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, attendees can enjoy the Real Rider Cup following the conclusion of the cross-country competition phase on Saturday, October 18. During the event, participating riders compete a show jumping course, riding for fast, clean rounds. The Real Rider Cup participants raise money for thoroughbred horse aftercare while increasing awareness and fostering a community between the racing, aftercare, and equestrian industries. MPT will include a feature segment about this event during its broadcast. VIP hospitality packages, general admission and reserved seating tickets to one or more competition days can be purchased at Maryland5Star.us/tickets/.
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About Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member offering entertaining and educational content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices via its online video player and the free PBS app. A state agency operating under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, MPT also produces local, regional, and national programming and frequently earns regional Emmy® awards for its work. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through its Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources covering a wide range of topics. More information is available at mpt.org.