The 31-Year History of Eventing at Fair Hill

In 1925, William duPont, Jr. began to assemble a mass of land on the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, that would eventually encompass more than 7,600 acres, to serve as a nature preserve and venue for his two favorite past times: horseracing and foxhunting. He designed a spectacular steeplechase course, recognizing the thick, healthy turf and giving it years to grow before putting it to use in 1934. Mr. duPont also built bridges, tunnels and a 17 mile “super fence” made of chain link to ensure his hounds’ safety during foxhunting. After duPont’s death in 1965, the state of Maryland purchased their 5,633-acre portion of the estate.

In 1989, Elkins “Elkie” Wetherill and John Ryan, organizers of the Chesterland Three-Day-Event in Unionville, PA, were looking for a new site for their CCI3^*. They were directed to Fair Hill and enlisted the aid of Trish Gilbert. When they saw the property, they knew the rolling terrain and lush turf made it an ideal venue for Eventing. A Founders Committee was formed, consisting of Trish Gilbert, Denis Glaccum, Kate Jackson, Jim Ligon, Bodgie Read, John Ryan, Col. D. W. Thackeray, Judy Thayer, Dick Thompson, Elkins Wetherill and Lana Wright. They also secured the services of England’s Michael Tucker, a world-renowned expert, to design the cross-country course.

The first event was conducted in October 1989, and the CCI3^* was won by Karen (Lende) O’Conner on Nos Ecus. The venue was an instant success. Tucker continued to apply his magic touch to Fair Hill for eight more years until, in 1999, he passed the reins to Derek di Grazia, a former competitor and up-and-coming course designer. Di Grazia rose to the challenge and, in short order, he produced a championship course that has only gotten better with each passing year.

In 2003, Fair Hill International served as the venue for the Pan American Eventing Championships when the Dominican Republic was unable to provide a venue. In 2011, the Young Event Horse East Coast Championships for 4/5-year-old’s was held at Fair Hill and the event has remained here ever since. In 2013, the Future Event Horse East Coast Championships 1/2/3-year-olds were held on the Fair Hill grounds with great success. In the same year, The Dutta Corp. became the title sponsor of the event.

But it’s among the horses and riders that Fair Hill has earned its well-deserved reputation as a cradle of champions. It has always attracted the best of the best, and that’s not a coincidence. Riders come here to test themselves and their horses to see if they have the talent and courage to succeed at the upper levels. Several winners of the CCI3* at Fair Hill have gone on to achieve glory for themselves and their country at the Olympics, including David O’Conner, Phillip Dutton, Karen O’Conner and Bruce Davidson.

Key: (Year- Horse, Rider, Owner)