Fair Hill, MD—June 23, 2003—The 15th annual Fair Hill International Festival in the Country will again host top-ranked equestrian competition when it returns to the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in the beautiful countryside of Fair Hill, MD, October 23-26, 2003.

This year’s event features exciting equestrian championships highlighted by the 2003 Pan American Eventing Championships. Also featured are the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Fall Eventing Championship CCI***, one of the most prestigious three-day events held in the United States, and the USET National Pair Horse Championship.

Since there will be no eventing at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, this summer, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation – FEI) has chosen Fair Hill to host the Eventing Championship, which will be held at the three-star level as is always the case in Pan American eventing competition.

“We’re so thrilled to be hosting the Pan American Eventing Championships this year,” said Lou Morris, Fair Hill International Executive Director. “Fair Hill spectators will be given a rare and exciting opportunity to see, up close, many of North and South America’s best horses and riders as they compete for international team and individual medals.”

Besides the Pan American Eventing Championship, the 2003 Fair Hill International will also host the USET National Pair Horse Championship and the USET Fall Eventing Championship CCI*** which regularly draws Olympic and World Championship veterans. Since the Fair Hill event is one of only two three-star competitions held in the United States, top riders prime their horses specifically to conclude their competitive seasons with this celebrated competition. In a prelude to the Fair Hill International, Fair Hill will host its 2nd 100 Mile Endurance as well a 50 Mile Endurance 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.

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