Statewide public TV network will offer live and recorded coverage of international equestrian competition October 13 through 16
Maryland Public Television (MPT), in partnership with The Fair Hill Organizing Committee, will broadcast and livestream 12 hours of live and recorded coverage of the 2022 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Presented by Brown Advisory, one of only two equestrian events of its kind in the United States and among seven worldwide. A preview of MPT’s statewide coverage is available for viewing at mpt.org/maryland5star/.
The Eventing competition, October 13 – 16, takes place again at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County, Maryland. The facility features world-class equestrian arenas, a turf track, and cross-country courses.
The prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, often described as an equestrian triathlon. Eventing combines the skills of a single horse and rider in competition against other horses/riders across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.
MPT-HD’s schedule of live and recorded coverage during the four-day competition is as follows:
- Thursday, Oct. 13: Live coverage of Dressage from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 14: Live coverage of Dressage from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 15: MPT Sports Desk from 1:30 – 2 p.m. followed by live coverage of Cross-Country from 2 – 4 p.m.; and an encore broadcast from 8 – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 16: Live coverage of Show Jumping & awards from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and an encore broadcast from 6 – 8 p.m.
MPT’s coverage will also be livestreamed to the network’s regional audience at mpt.org/livestream.
Among those expected to participate in this year’s MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill are top horses and riders from the United States and countries around the world, including three of the top five ranked riders.
Tim Price, New Zealand’s two-time Olympic veteran is set to compete again this year, after his third-place finish at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star. Price currently holds the #1 spot on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings.
Oliver Townend of Great Britain, ranked #3 on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, is also entered to compete in the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Townend, who held the #1 ranking for five years, competed in last year’s inaugural event, placing second to American Boyd Martin.
Joining Price and Townend in this year’s event is the entire U.S. Silver Medal team from the 2022 Eventing World Championship in Pratoni, Italyi:
- Will Coleman – 2012 Olympic veteran ranked #5 in the world
- Boyd Martin – three-time Olympic veteran ranked #7 in the world; inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill winner
- Lauren Nicholson – 2016 Olympic veteran ranked #17 in the world
- Tamie Smith – 2021 Olympic veteran ranked #29 in the world
Other top U.S. riders vying for the podium are 2021 Olympic veteran Doug Payne (World #15), Buck Davidson (#23), seven-time Olympic veteran Philip Dutton (#24), Liz Halliday-Sharp (#26) and Jennie Brannigan (#27).
Additional international stars on the entry list include Leslie Law (#34), a two-time British Olympic veteran who won individual Gold in 2004; 2016 Olympic veteran Astier Nicolas of France (#38); and Great Britain’s Harry Meade (#51).
General admission and reserved seating tickets to one or more competition days can be purchased at Maryland5Star.us/tickets.
About the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory
One of only two 5 Star events in the United States, and just the seventh worldwide, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory continues the storied legacy of Eventing at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County, Maryland. The prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, best described as an equestrian triathlon. The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is produced by the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, and in partnership with Fair Hill International. For more information visit maryland5star.us/.
About Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service member offering entertaining, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through instructional events and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org.
