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John Williams Takes Lead in CCI*** Fall Eventing Championship

Fair Hill, MD-October 15, 2009 - An incoming nor'easter provided a wintry backdrop to John Williams' composed performance on the first day of Dressage competition at the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI***.

Williams, from Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding his own and his wife Ellen's 10-year old Thoroughbred-cross, Sweepea Dean, put in a soft, flowing test to earn 42.6 penalties, ahead of Erika Treis Petersen, of Holland, Michigan, on her own Under The Influence, with 45.4 penalties. "He was born in Canada, so probably the colder the better for him, " said Williams. "He gets put on the back burners, I'm so busy with work - I'm delighted he's done as well as he has this year."

The top five in the CCI*** after Thursday:

1. John Williams (USA), Sweepea Dean - 42.6
2. Erika Treis Petersen (USA), Under the Influence - 45.4
3. Laine Ashker (USA), Anthony Patch - 46.0
4. Jolie Sexton (USA), Killian O'Connor - 48.8
5T. Jan Byyny (USA), Inmidair - 49.0
5T. Gina Fiori (USA), Feral Errol - 49.0

In the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI**, Leslie Law from Great Britain led from start to finish today. Riding his own Hugo Fast, a seven-year old English Thoroughbred, Law executed an accurate, balanced test for 45.3 penalties. "I probably had the best of conditions going first. I was very pleased with him today. This is his first two-star, and though he has a bit to learn, he looks a very nice horse for the future." Standing second to Law is Kristin Schmolze, Califon, New Jersey, riding her own nine-year old Irish Sport horse gelding, Ballylaffin Bracken, with a penalty score of 48.1. "I was very pleased with my boy today. He is very laid back, so the rain and cold helped me."

The top five in the CCI** after Thursday:

1. Leslie Law (GBR), Hugo Fast - 45.3
2. Kristin Schmolze (USA), Ballylaffin Bracken - 48.1
3T. Kelli Temple (CAN), Veelion - 48.3
3T. Jennie Brannigan (USA), Cambalda - 48.3
5. Mikki Kuchta (USA), Calle - 50.0

The Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships showcased an exceptional group of four- and five-year old upcoming event horses. Master Frisky, ridden by Kurt Martin, leads on a score of 38.46.

Mighty Himself, ridden by Kim Severson, is in second place in the five-year old division with a combined Conformation and Dressage score of 38.57. The Oldenburg gelding sired by Metall (DWB) out of Granbrook's Hope (HAN) is owned by Eileen Kenney and was bred by Natalie Ortberg. "I think this is a fantastic horse with all the qualities we look for. I hope to put a syndicate together to buy him, " said Severson.

Flynn Matt with Break Through is in third place with a score of 37.77.

Just a fraction of a point behind Break Through was Amarna, a Trakehner mare by Amethyst (TRA) out of Actress (TRA) owned by Tim & Cheryl Holekamp and bred by New Spring Farm. Amarna, ridden by Leslie Law, has a combined score to date of 37.74.

Law's successful day was again apparent in the four-year old division in which he rode Dresden Hit to the lead the section with a combined conformation and dressage score of 41.36. Dresden Hit, bred by Teresa Smith Riverside Equestrian, is by Davignport (HAN) and out of Kalmera (OLD).

Law also rode Kalamata, a Trakehner mare owned by Tim and Cheryl Holekamp, to second place on dressage score of 41.36. Dresden Hit, bred by Teresa Smith Riverside Equestrian, is by Davignport (HAN) and out of Kalmera (OLD). to second place with a score of 41.13

"This is a great venue for the young horses. While the conditions were tough for them, it is all part of the experience for an event horse. It is perfect to have the competition here, and expose these horses. Great competitions like this exist in Europe and Britain, and the more we promote this, the more quality horses the U.S. will have."

Dressage competition will commence at 9:00 a.m. on Friday in the William duPont, Jr. Arena for both of the USEF CCI divisions. The Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse Championships will continue with the Jumping phase of the competition starting at 8:00 a.m.

Back by popular demand to the Dansko Fair Hill Festival in the Country is The Art and Sport of Falconry With Live Birds of Prey, taking place on Saturday, October 17. Master Falconer Mike Dupuy brings his audience up close and personal while he and his birds provide an unforgettable educational experience for people of all ages.

While there are many new attractions for families, traditional favorites such as the Dog Agility Trials, which draws over 400 canine competitors, will return this year. The Maryland Department of Agriculture named the Fair Hill International as a "Maryland Top Event!"

Members of the United States Pony Club will be on hand participating in the President's Cup Invitational Games. During the Games, riders in teams of five will compete in a variety of challenging and entertaining relay races; awards will be presented to winning teams on Sunday.

The Kids Corner will also return this year, offering a variety of activities for the younger set. Miniature horses will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday, and live music will be provided by Rebecca Pitre's Whoa Buddy Productions. Visitors may want to watch JoAnn Dawson's musical production, "HorsePlay," on Saturday. The play uses actors and horses to chronicle the relationship of man and horse throughout history.

The Country Shops and Food Court, featuring vendors of tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons, have been newly expanded this year. 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.

The Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits Union Hospital 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.

Healthy feet, healthy body, healthy planet. That's the spirit behind Dansko. Founded in 1990 by husband and wife team, Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot, both former horse trainers, Dansko shoes, boots, and sandals are now sold in over 2,500 premium retailer locations across North America. Dansko is the leader in all-day comfort footwear.

For more information on this year's Fair Hill, including how to purchase tickets, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com

Record Numbers Vie for USEF National Eventing Championships at the 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International

By Joanie Morris

Elkton, MD – The 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International Horse Trails was inundated with a record number of entries, as 141 horses will go forward to the dressage after a chilly Wednesday afternoon horse inspection. Of those, 113 will be vying for the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) National CCI** and National CCI*** Eventing Championship titles.

The only fall CCI*** held in the United States, the Dansko Fair Hill International Horse Trials brings the best to Elkton, MD every October. The field has a wide range of horse and riders, from the ultimate in experience: Bruce Davidson, who at 59, has won just about every title in the world (at least once) to 18-year-old Allie Blyskal contesting her first CCI**.

Last year’s CCI** national champs, Kelly Prather and Ballinakill Glory, have moved up a level and are looking to win their first CCI***. The California pair is hot off a trip to Poland for the 2009 HSBC World Cup Final, after winning the CIC***-W at the Event at Rebecca Farm.

Will Coleman and Sinead Halpin were second and third respectively behind Prather in the CCI** in 2008 and both have moved their promising young horses to the next level. Both Nevada Bay and Manoir de Carneville have excelled at Advanced throughout 2009.

Four-time CCI*** winner Phillip Dutton returns to the Championship with Kheops de Quesnay. Belmont II, the highest placed horse from 2008’s CCI*** back in 2009, returns to his rider Kate Hicks after a fifth placed finish with Boyd Martin last year.

The competition got underway on Thursday, October 15th with the first of two days of dressage beginning with the test ride at 8.40 am. 2009 also features the Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse Championships for the first time at Fair Hill as a showcase of the most promising up-and-coming event horses in the country.

For more information and results, please visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/alleventing/fairHill.aspx.

The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation® is to provide leadership

for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit

of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a

foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare

of its human and equine athletes.