Out and About: The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International October Festival & CCI
It was a sloppy course after a cold morning rain, but that didn’t slow down the nation’s top eventers at the 30th Anniversary Dutta Corporation Fair Hill CCI2* and CCI3* competition that occurred the third weekend of October in Elkton, MD. Top Line Media Team had a chance to attend the prestigious event to see the cross country jumping on Saturday, October 20th and stadium jumping the following day.
The talent was top notch at the event; Olympian Phillip Dutton, one of the most recognized riders in the world of eventing, competed in CCI2* riding Sea of Clouds. Olympic veterans, Boyd Martin and Lauren Kieffer, who both rode on the gold medal earning U.S. team in 2015, competed in the event as well. Martin finished the event as the CCI3* Eventing Reserve National Champion with mount Long Island T, a 12-year-old Oldenburg owned by the Long Island T Syndicate. Martin and Long Island T scored a double clear round to secure their award. Martin also won the CCI2* Eventing National Champion award astride 12-year-old Selle Francais On Cue, owned by Christine Turner.
The overall winner of the CCI3* was amateur rider Frankie Thieriot Stutes and mount Chatwin, a 10-year-old Oldenburg owned by The Chatwin Group. Thieriot Stutes, a mother of two young children and a business owner, held the lead from the beginning of the event. Thieriot Stutes was awarded the Alexander MacKay Smith Trophy as the highest placed U.S. rider in the CCI3* who has not competed in a CCI4* event.
Shopping opportunities were bountiful at the event, and vendors ranging from Voltaire Design USA to Stubben North America to many jewelers and clothing retailers were available to the public. Many demonstrations were held as well, including a bridleless jumping clinic by Brendan Wise Natural Horsemanship and a performance by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team.
There were also dog agility demonstrations and lessons, as well as dogs available for adoption at the event. The Academy of Dog Training, located in Newark, DE, ran the agility clinics throughout the weekend and anyone was invited to give it a try with their pup.
The entire Fair Hill event was very well attended despite the cold weather, and it brought together a group of horse lovers who wholeheartedly support equestrian sports. The sense of camaraderie on the grounds was one of the highlights of the weekend. For more information on this past event or future events, visit the Fair Hill International website at www.fairhillinternational.com.
Daina Behe holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University as well as a certificate in User Experience Design, and is well versed in many areas of digital marketing and design. Having been involved in the horse industry for years, she specializes in equine marketing as it brings her passions together. While not working behind a computer, you can find her training her Moriesian horse in the Western Dressage discipline, or teaching riding lessons to young equestrians.
Daina Behe holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University as well as a certificate in User Experience Design, and is well versed in many areas of digital marketing and design. Having been involved in the horse industry for years, she specializes in equine marketing as it brings her passions together. While not working behind a computer, you can find her training her Moriesian horse in the Western Dressage discipline, or teaching riding lessons to young equestrians.