The Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland has announced that tickets are now on sale for the fifth edition of the annual MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory; showcasing the sport of eventing, the world’s most accomplished riders will converge on Fair Hill for four action-packed days of competition.
General admission tickets start as low as $18 (GA Tickets are free for kids 10 and under). A variety of options, including reserved seats, hospitality packages at the Main Arena, and an exclusive Saturdayonly VIP hospitality experience at the Sawmill Waterfront Club, located rope-side along the crosscountry course at the MARS Sustainability Bay, get fans up close and personal to elite, world-class competition.
Tailgating for the exhilarating Cross-Country phase held on Saturday of the event will go on sale in July. Full ticket and hospitality offerings for THE Place to be in October can be accessed by visiting the Maryland 5 Star’s website.
In addition to world-class equestrian competition, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill features a wide array of other activities and attractions for all ages. Returning in 2025 are many of the popular special events; Pony Racing on Saturday, produced by US Pony Racing, along with the Beer, Wine and Spirits Showcase hosted by Cecil County’s own Elk River Brewing Company and new for 2025, the event will host The Real Rider Cup founded by Anita Motion benefiting Thoroughbred aftercare as part of its schedule of activities. On Sunday, the Local Food Festival hosted by Horizon Farm Credit and supported by Cecil County Agriculture, will feature local vendors representing Cecil County and surrounding areas, serving up local products from the finest Maryland farmers, growers, and makers. Capping off the weekend is the fan-favorite Maryland Corgi Cup presented by Major League Eventing, where adorable corgis race across the Turf Track in a crowd-pleasing spectacle that’s become a signature Sunday tradition.
From live music and local food and drink to a wide variety of shopping options — and even the chance to place a bet through the event’s partnership with Crab Sports — there’s truly something for everyone at the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Guests can get an up-close look at former elite equine athletes at the Hall of Champions exhibit, while young fans can enjoy hands-on activities and fun in the Kids’ Corner. With so much to see and do, the weekend promises a full and memorable experience that goes far beyond the competition.
“We’re incredibly proud to once again welcome the world to Cecil County and the state of Maryland for this prestigious international equestrian competition,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the Maryland 5 Star Event Committee. “As we celebrate our fifth year, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory has firmly established itself as one of the sport’s must-attend events, where elite competition meets a true festival atmosphere. The success of last year’s event was a clear sign that fans, riders, and families alike are making this a fixture on their fall calendars here in Maryland. From the thrilling action to fan-favorite experiences like the Maryland Corgi Cup, outstanding local food and drink, and unique shopping, this October promises another unforgettable weekend. There’s simply no better place to be in October.”
The fifth 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 2025.
In 2024, the Maryland 5 Star welcomed more than 32,000 spectators over four days, representing an 11% increase in attendance compared to 2023, with over $12 million in direct spending impact. The competition yielded more than 140 world-class competitors, including four of the top ten FEI Eventing World Athletes taking part in the event.
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 compete alongside one another. Widely known as one of the most acclaimed equestrian events, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory is one of only two 5-Star level eventing equestrian events of its kind in the United States and seventh in the world. The four days of Eventing competition feature Dressage (Thursday-Friday), Cross-Country (Saturday) and the Show Jumping finale (Sunday).
Last year Oliver Townend (GBR) earned his first Maryland 5 Star victory atop his longtime partner, Ballaghmor Class — one of the most accomplished five-star horses in the sport’s history. The pair delivered a flawless show jumping round on Sunday to secure Townend’s ninth career five-star win and their fourth together (Burghley 2017 & 2023, Kentucky 2021).
In the 3 Star (CCI3*-L) competition, Sharon White jumped from ninth place to first after a spectacular cross-country round on Saturday, and held firmly onto her lead with a clean Show Jumping round with eight-year-old Westphalian mare, Jaguars Duende finished with a total score of 29.6.
In The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland, Emily Bradford finished first in the 5 year-old category atop Tangerine Traveler, while Madison Temkin took the top spot with Prime Star in the 4 year-old category.
Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman Photography