Fans of the popular Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country have something new and exciting to look forward to when the event returns October 16-19, 2008. This year's festival will feature the addition of a CCI** to Fair Hill's competition schedule.

In addition to the traditional CCI***, which has drawn many of the world's best eventing horses and riders to Fair Hill for many years, the new CCI** will make way for a new group of horses and riders to compete at Fair Hill.

"There is a serious need for a CCI** in this part of the country in the fall because, without it, competitors must travel to either Ocala, FL, or Bromont, Canada, in order to compete and qualify for future events," said Trish Gilbert, Co-President of the Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country. "The addition of the two-star event will enhance the level of excitement and add to the top-notch quality of competition we have at Fair Hill."

Prior to 2008, when combined driving was an important part of the Fair Hill International, it would have been physically impossible to conduct both a three-star and a two-star eventing competition on the same weekend. However, with the recently announced cancellation of the combined driving competition at Fair Hill in October, the time and space for a two-star has now become available. Combined driving will still be conducted at Fair Hill in 2008 at the popular Fair Hill International Elk Creek Combined Driving Event that returns for the fourth consecutive year, June 14-15.

The Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits Union Hospital in Elkton, MD. The hospital, whose mission is to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Cecil County and its neighboring communities, has been caring for area families and neighbors for nearly 100 years.

For more information on the Dansko Fair Hill International, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com.