Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland announced May 6 the ticket on-sale date for the fourth edition of the annual MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, will be Monday, May, 20, 2024. The event brings the world’s most decorated eventers back to the globally recognized Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland (Cecil County) this October.
Billed as the “Triathlon of Equestrian Sports”, the prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing and unique in that men and women complete alongside one another. Widely known as one of the most acclaimed equestrian events, the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is one of only two 5 Star level equestrian events of its kind in the United States and seventh in the world. The four days of Eventing competition features Dressage (Thursday-Friday), Cross-Country (Saturday) showcasing renowned course designer Ian Stark-designed courses, and the Show Jumping finale (Sunday).
Tickets and Hospitality offerings for THE Place to be in October go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 11:00 am ET. A variety of single and multi-day reserved and general admission ticket packages starting as low as $15 (GA Tickets free for kids 10 and under), along with exclusive VIP Hospitality and Club packages, and more will become available. Reserved tailgating packages during the exhilarating Cross-Country phase held on Saturday of the event will be available later this summer. Tickets for this event are powered by Tixr.
In 2023, the Maryland 5 Star welcomed more than 29,000 spectators over four days with nearly 170 world-class competitors representing 14 different countries taking part in the event.
Coming off a banner year, the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill saw more than $11.6M in direct spending impact and $19.9 million in total business sales in the State of Maryland economy in 2023, with 73% of ticket sales from outside of the state. The event showcases Maryland and Cecil County’s appeal as a premier destination for equestrian enthusiasts and spectators alike, driving tourism and bolstering local businesses. With more than 34.5 hours devoted to live coverage in 2023, it captivated both domestic and international audiences. The event generated nearly five million video views on social media and nearly eight million social media impressions, amplifying its reach and further solidifying Maryland’s status as a top-tier destination for sports tourism.
In 2023, Maryland Governor Wes Moore proclaimed October Maryland Horse Month in celebration of the Maryland horse industry. The month-long celebration showcases the many ways the state is enriched by it, from the economic benefits to recreational and therapeutic benefits, highlighting the many experiences that have an equestrian connection.
“The Maryland Five Star at Fair Hill is a world-class event, bringing thousands of spectators from across the country and all over the world to Cecil County and millions in economic impact to the State of Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore. “Maryland’s horse industry has a long and proud history, and we are very much looking forward to building upon that legacy with another spectacular Five Star event in October.”
The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory draws interest from all parts of Maryland, the country and across the globe, continuing to be a driver for impact across Cecil County in a multitude of ways.
“Last year’s Maryland 5 Star was our most successful to date,” said Danielle Hornberger, Cecil County Executive. “We can’t wait to welcome back to Fair Hill competitors and spectators from near and far this October to enjoy everything that Cecil County has to offer – amazing restaurants, local breweries, beautiful parks and waterways, and, of course, four days of world-class eventing.”
The fourth edition of Maryland’s elite equestrian competition welcomes back MARS EQUESTRIAN™ and Brown Advisory as its Title and Presenting sponsors, respectively, with the continued support of Cecil County as the event Host Location. In addition to their support, the Maryland 5 Star once again partners with Tixr as the Official Ticketing Service provider of the Event and Great Wolf Lodge Perryville as the Official Hotel in 2024.
“It is our honor to host this esteemed international equestrian competition in Cecil County and the state of Maryland,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the Maryland 5 Star Event Committee. “Judging by the success of last year’s event, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory is quickly becoming an event that people pencil in their calendar every year. We look forward to welcoming the crowds back this October to see the world’s finest equestrian athletes, take in some of our other ancillary events such as the incredibly popular Maryland Corgi Cup, sample great local food and drink offerings, experience our vast retail shopping options and so much more. It truly is THE Place to be in October!”
The 2023 5 Star came down to the wire with Ireland’s Austin O’Connor securing the country’s first CCI5*-L victory in nearly 60 years, as the three-time Olympian moved from fourth place at the start of Sunday’s show jumping finale and catapulted to the top of the leaderboard after a mistake-free final round with his longtime horse companion Colorado Blue.
In the 3 Star (CCI3*-L) competition, Caroline Pamukcu from the United States finished atop the leaderboard while in The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland, Pamukcu finished first in the 4 year-old category while inaugural Maryland 5 Star winner Boyd Martin from the United States finished first in the 5 year-old category.
— Maryland 5 Star press release
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Maryland 5 Star