Two of the World’s Top 3 Set to Compete at Fair Hill
Baltimore, Md. (October 2, 2023) – The initial list of athletes for this year’s MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory has been announced, featuring three of the world’s top 10 Eventing athletes, primed to be crowned champion. The stakes are high for this year’s event due to it being an Olympic qualifying event, along with it being a U.S. selection trial for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
After the deadline concluded on September 20th, a total of 27 riders and horses entered the (CCI5*-L) competition, hailing from the United States, Great Britain, New Zealand and Ireland, plus a strong list of entries in the CCI3*-L and Young Event Horse classes as well.
Leading the way is World No. 2 Tim Price (NZL), who claimed victory at last year’s Maryland 5 Star event and will be riding atop Falco, looking to repeat as champion with him again. He’s joined by World No. 3 Oliver Townend (GBR), who is seeking his first victory in the event after placing third in last year’s Maryland 5 Star and will be riding Cooley Rosalent this year.
Winner of the inaugural Maryland 5 Star, current World No. 8 and local Mid-Atlantic rider Boyd Martin has entered this year’s competition with Contessa (who finished fourteenth at the Kentucky 5 Star earlier this spring). Boyd was part of the silver-medal-winning team for the United States during the FEI World Championships in 2022.
Other riders of note include Olympian Phillip Dutton (USA, No. 13 in the world) riding atop Azure, Piggy March (No. 18 in the world) who will be riding Brookfield Cavalier Cruise and Team New Zealand’s Monica Spencer riding with the beautiful Artist, who performed well during the FEI World Championship in 2022 and Monica received a bronze medal in this event.
“We are thrilled to welcome back this elite group of world-class athletes like Tim, Oliver Townend and so many more, all of which help continue to bring the star power to Fair Hill,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the Maryland 5 Star Event. “With a lineup of over 170 horses entered into the competitions throughout the weekend and with so much on the line in terms of qualifying from an Olympic perspective, there has never been more of a buzz around this event.”
A current list of entries is available online. Registration has ended for the 5 Star and there is now a waitlist for the 3 Star and Young Horse Competition.
Tickets for the third annual MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Presented by Brown Advisory – including reserved tailgate spots – are on sale at Maryland5Star.us/tickets. A variety of single and multi-day ticket packages along with exclusive Club and VIP Hospitality packages, General Admission tickets starting at just $15 and much more are available.
For the first time, guests can also purchase the brand-new MD5Star Radio powered by Brown Advisory. 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 the competition.
For fans that cannot attend this year’s event, all of the action can be watched live on your television, regionally with Maryland Public Television (MPT) or live-streamed with MPT, the USEF Network or Horse & Country (outside North America) as the Official CCI5* International Livestream Partner.