Returning to this year’s Dankso Fair Hill International is the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF) CCI*** and CCI** Fall Eventing Championships. These Championships regularly attract many of the world’s top eventing horses and riders such as Olympic veterans Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, Will Faudree, Mara DePuy, Will Coleman, Ian Roberts and Jessica Phoenix of Canada, Leslie Law of Great Britain and Clayton Fredricks of Australia.
Also taking place at the Fair Hill International are the USEA Young Event Horse Championships on Thursday and Friday, October 18 and 19. The Young Event Horse Championships feature young horses (ages 4 and 5) competing in three sections: Conformation & Type, Dressage Test, and Jumping Test/Gallop/General Impression. A sort of equestrian talent search, the Young Event Horse classes focus on the education and preparation of the event horse in a correct and progressive manner.
In addition to the high-quality eventing action, members of the United States Pony Club will be on hand for the return of the President’s Cup Invitational Games. During the Games, riders in teams of five will compete in a variety of challenging and entertaining relay races; awards will be presented to winning teams on Sunday.
Also returning is The Art and Sport of Falconry With Live Birds of Prey, taking place on Saturday, October 20. Master Falconer Mike Dupuy brings his audience up close and personal while he and his birds provide an unforgettable educational experience for people of all ages.
The Kids’ Corner also returns this year, offering a variety of activities for the younger set. Miniature horses will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday and JoAnn Dawson’s musical production, “HorsePlay,” will take place on Saturday. The play uses live horses and riders to chronicle the relationship between man and horse throughout history.
The popular canine demonstrations return this year with some new and exciting opportunities for dog owners. In addition to the popular agility and flyball demonstrations, Dansko Fair Hill International has added a dog’s Frisbee competition.
Classic cars will be on hand on Sunday (weather permitting) for those who want a chance to reminisce about their younger years, as well as for younger people looking to connect with icons from an earlier era.
This year’s Dansko Fair Hill International once again welcomes the Professional Riders’ Organization (PRO), and is part of the 2012 PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders’ Organization was founded in 2009 by event riders Phillip Dutton, Buck Davidson, Craig Thompson, Laura VanderVliet and Allison Springer with the thought that professional event riders have a special obligation to promote and strengthen their sport. PRO is dedicated to improving the standards of competition and promoting safety while working to attract new fans, sponsors and participants to the sport of three-day-eventing.
Visitors to the Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country can once again look forward to the popular Country Shops, which feature over 40 vendors selling tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons. The VIP Tent 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.
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 more than 100 years.