Fair Hill, MD—October 24, 2003—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) took the early lead in the Pan American Eventing Championship at the 2003 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country. World-class riders and drivers are competing in a variety of equestrian events at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in Fair Hill, MD, October 23-26.

The four-rider U.S. team scored 170.0 in dressage to stand first ahead of Canada, who scored 186.2, and Brazil who is third with a score of 196.2. Individually, U.S. rider Darren Chiacchia of Springville, NY leads with a score of 43.60 on Windfall 2. He is followed by Tim Collins of Bermuda who received a score of 44.40 on Delton Magna and by Nathalie Bouckaert of Chatsworth, GA who scored 47.0 on West Farthing.

No eventing competition was held at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo earlier this year and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) decided to hold the Pan American Eventing Championship in conjunction with the Fair Hill International CCI***. In addition to the team and individual medals, Olympic berths are also at stake for those countries not yet qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Competing for the Pan Am championship are riders and horses from Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States. In addition, many of the United States’ top eventing riders are competing for the USET Eventing Fall Championship.

The eventing competition continues on Saturday with the cross country phase and concludes on Sunday with the stadium jumping.

In the separate CCI*** competition, Donna Smith of New Zealand stood first after dressage with a score of 47.6 penalties on Call Me Clifton. U.S. Olympic veteran Julie Richards of Atlanta, GA was second with 48.6 penalties on her 2000 Sydney Olympic mount, Hyde Park Corner. Richards’s score gave her the lead in the USET Championship that is open only to U.S. riders. Kristin Schmolze of Montville, NJ was second in the USET Championship, and third overall in the CCI, with a score of 50.6 on Cavaldi.

The USET Championship and CCI*** serves as the final phase in a three-event competition where Nunn Finer Products is awarding one of its new Wofford Cross-Country Classic saddles to the rider who completes the Morven Park CCI*, the Radnor Hunt CCI**, and the Fair Hill International CCI*** with the lowest cumulative score. John Nunn of Nunn Finer Products and legendary eventing rider and coach Jim Wofford, on whose custom eventing saddle the Wofford Classic was based, will present the saddle at the Fair Hill awards ceremony on Sunday.

The 2003 Fair Hill International is also hosting several advanced combined driving competitions highlighted by the USET National Pair Horse Championship. Lisa Singer of Chadds Ford, PA, who has won the USET Pairs Championship a record six times, leads after dressage with a score of 47.36 penalties.

Leading in the Four-in-Hand division is Bill Long of Southern Pines, NC with a score of 47.68. Defending champion Fred Merriam of Newfane, VT leads the single horse division with a score of 40.20.

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.

Fair Hill’s dog agility trials boast over 200 canine competitors. The Stuart Family Miniature Horses are performing driving, hunter/jumper and obstacle jumping demonstrations along with talks on the care of miniature horses. Friends from the Winterthur booth 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.

The 2003 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits Christiana Care Health System, one of the Chesapeake region’s largest not-for-profit health care providers. Christiana Care, which began in 1888, serves the people of Delaware, as well as neighboring areas of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It maintains a teaching hospital which specializes in cardiology, cancer and women’s health services, and has trauma and neonatal intensive care units that offer an exceptional degree of care.

This year’s sponsors include American Home & Hardware; Bayer; Bit of Britain; Cosequin/Nutramax Labs; County Banking & Trust Co.; Crystal Trust; Dansko; The Equiery; Glenmede Trust Company; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation; Jeff D’Ambrosio Chevrolet; Lexus; Maryland Horse Industry Board; M. H. Eby, Inc.; Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit; NowPac, Inc.; Primedia Equine; Rice, Unruh & Reynolds; Sentman Distributors; Stancill’s; The Stewart Foundation; Summit Aviation; Thornhill Enterprises; Thoroughbred Charities of America, Ltd.; Wachovia; Walnut Green Bloodstock; and Wilmington Trust.

For full results and further information on the 2003 Fair Hill International, please visit www.fairhillinternational.com.

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