The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International

From The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Website:

Since 1989, Fair Hill International has offered one of the most prestigious international three day events in the world, located at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in beautiful Fair Hill, Maryland.

Eventing is the ultimate test of a horse and rider and has been referred to as the Triathlon of equestrian sport. Through tests in dressage, cross country, and show jumping the horse and rider work together to show that they can compete in the most demanding and highest levels of equestrian sports.

The Dutta Corp FHI CCI** and CCI*** events are, essentially, two separate three-day eventing competitions. The CCI 3* riders jump slightly larger fences and have a more challenging dressage test. The CCI 2* event is designed to qualify horses and riders for 3* competitions. The CCI 3* event is one of only three 3* events in the USA. Horses and riders who do well in the 3* event may qualify to compete internationally or at the Olympics or World Championships.

The veterinary exam of the CCI horses is held on Wednesday. Competition begins on Thursday with dressage for the Young Event horses (four and five year olds) and some of the CCI competitors. Friday is the jumping phase for the Young Event Horse East Coast Championship, and the final day of dressage for the CCI competitors.

Saturday is the very exciting and most popular day of cross country, where horses and riders complete a course of solid fences and water obstacles. The course is nearly four miles long and is the ultimate test of endurance and stamina. CCI 2* horses run the course in the morning, while 3* horses run in the afternoon.

Sunday is the final day of competition. Horse and rider combinations compete in the Show Jumping phase, where they jump obstacles in an arena. Penalties are collected for knocking down a fence, falling, or exceeding the allowed time. The horse and rider with the fewest number of penalties over all three phases is the winner.