2003
Fair Hill International’s Courses Get a Facelift
Fair Hill, MD—July 28, 2003—Six new obstacles are planned
for the cross-country course at the 15th annual Fair Hill International
CCI***, part of the Fair Hill International Festival in the Country,
which returns to the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in beautiful
Fair Hill, MD, October 23-26, 2003.
In
addition to the new fences, several existing fences are scheduled
to receive repairs and improvements. The upgrades come as a result
of a thorough course review and discussion between Fair Hill event
organizers and course designer Derek di Grazia of Pebble Beach,
CA. An Eventing World Championship veteran, Di Grazia won the Fair
Hill International CCI*** and the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Fall
Three-Day Event Championship in 1991.
The
2003 Fair Hill International has been chosen by the Fédération
Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation –
FEI) to host this year’s Pan American Games Eventing Championship.
In order to distinguish the Pan American Championship from the Fair
Hill CCI, both of which are held at the three-star level, event
organizers will present two different jumping courses, one for each
competition. Sally Ike of Oldwick, NJ, a former international eventing
competitor and currently the USET Director of Show Jumping and Vaulting
Activities, will design both courses.
“With
dozens of international horses and riders coming to Fair Hill for
the Pan American Championship, we want to present a world-class
course,” said Fair Hill International Executive Director Lou
Morris. “The Fair Hill course has long been considered one
of the world’s finest and the changes we’re making will
make what we have even better!”
In
addition to the Pan American Eventing Championship and USET Fall
Eventing Championship CCI***, the 2003 Fair Hill International will
feature various driving divisions, including the USET National Pair
Horse Driving Championship. USET veteran driver Lana Wright returns
as the driving course designer and has already created a new look
for the water hazard. Also, in a prelude to the Fair Hill International,
Fair Hill will host its second 100-Mile Endurance ride as well a
50-Mile ride on October 18, 2003.
Olympic
medal-winners Phillip Dutton of Australia, Karen O’Connor,
Nina Fout, Linden Wiesman, and Bruce Davidson regularly compete
at the Fair Hill International, as does defending Champion David
O’Connor, the 2000 Sydney Olympic individual Gold Medalist
and 2002 World Equestrian Games team Gold Medalist. At last year’s
USET Fall Championship, David O’Connor topped the field during
his last appearance with his long-time partner, Custom Made, owned
by Xandarius LLC, who was retired following the competition.
While
world-class equestrian competition makes the Fair Hill International
a rare treat for spectators, the amenities at Fair Hill round out
the event to provide an ideal family outing. The Country Shops boast
a wide variety of shopping and dining, featuring vendors of tack,
jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts
for the approaching holiday seasons. The Fair Hill Club offers fine
dining, while visitors seeking a more casual snack or meal will
find pubs around the Fair Hill grounds serving classic Maryland
crab-cakes and other treats.
This
year, dog agility trials return to Fair Hill with over 200 canine
competitors. The Stuart Family Miniature Horses will perform driving,
hunter/jumper and obstacle jumping demonstrations along with talks
on the care of miniature horses. Friends from the Winterthur booth
will offer quick crafts for children and a family sign-up opportunity,
and spectators can learn more about the Chesapeake Bay and environmental
concerns at the Chesapeake Foundation Booth.
For
further information on the 2003 Fair Hill International, please
call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com.
.
|
