Fair Hill, MD-October 18, 2007-Boyd Martin of Australia, and Ying Yang Yo held the lead in the Fair Hill International CCI*** Eventing Championship following the first of two days of the dressage phase at the 19th annual Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country.
Martin’s score of 46.1 penalties puts him in the lead over PhillipDutton of West Grove, PA, who had 50.9 penalties aboard Woodburn. Behind Dutton, a three-time winner of the event, was CaylaKitayama of Orinda, CA, who turned in a score of 53.9 on Esker Riada.
The start of competition was delayed a half-hour due to a dense morning fog. Some fog still remained when competition began but it did not seem to impact either Dutton or Martin who rode third and fifth respectively. Kitayama rode 16th and the fog was pretty much gone by the time the VillanovaUniversity undergrad entered the ring.
The CCI***, which serves as the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) CCI*** Eventing Championship, continues with second half of the dressage phase on Friday and the cross-country phase on Saturday (starting at 12:30 pm) before culminating with the show jumping phase on Sunday (scheduled for 1:00 pm).
In addition to the CCI eventing competition, Friday’s equestrian action at the Dansko Fair Hill International also features the opening dressage phase of five USEF Combined Driving Championships-the Advanced Single Pony Championship, Advanced Pair Pony Championship, Advanced Pony Four-in-Hand Championship, Advanced Single Horse Championship and Advanced Pair Horse Championship. Driving competition then continues on Saturday with the marathon (starting at 8:00 am) and concludes with the cones phase on Sunday (scheduled for 9:00 am).
Fair Hill’s popular Dog Agility Trials are also on hand with over 400 canine competitors. Many additional exciting activities, including appearances by the Delmarva Miniature Horse Club with driving and hunter/jumper demonstrations, are set for the weekend.
Members of the United States Pony Club are on hand participating in the President’s Cup Invitational Games. During the Games, riders in teams of five compete in a variety of challenging and entertaining relay races; awards will be presented to winning teams on Sunday.
The Kids Corner offers a variety of activities for the younger set. Puppeteer JackForeaker will perform and live music will be provided by RebeccaPitre’s Whoa Buddy Productions.
Fair Hill’s 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. In fact, the Maryland Department of Agriculture named the Fair Hill International as a “Maryland Top Event!”
Healthy feet, healthy body, healthy planet. That’s the spirit behind Dansko, founded in 1990 by husband and wife team, PeterKjellerup and Mandy Cabot, both former horse trainers. Now sold in over 3,000 leading independent and specialty retailer locations across North America, Dansko is the leader in all-day comfort footwear.
The 2007 Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits UnionHospital 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.
Further information on this year’s Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country is available by calling 410-398-2111 or by visiting the Fair Hill website at www.fairhillinternational.com
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