October 23, 2006

Gina Miles Wins CCI*** Championship at 2006 Fair Hill International

Stafford and Stover Among Driving Winners

Fair Hill, MD—October 22, 2006—Gina Miles of Creston, CA, turned in a clean show jumping round to win the Fair Hill International CCI*** and the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) CCI*** Championship at the Fair Hill International Festival in the Country.

Miles, who missed most of the 2005 season because of a broken leg and taking time off to have a baby, entered the day in third place with a score of 55.6 penalties. She held her position when she rode her 12-year-old Irish gelding McKinlaigh to a fault-free ride. She moved up one position when two-time Olympic team Gold Medalist Phillip Dutton of Australia, who resides in West Grove, PA, received three time penalties to fall behind her with a three-phase score of 58.2 on his nine-year-old, Thoroughbred gelding, Tru Luck.

Miles then claimed the win when Jonathan Holling of Ocala, FL, who had been the overnight leader with a score of 50.9 on Lion King II, had three rails down for 12 penalties and a final score of 62.9 on his 12-year-old, English Thoroughbred gelding. Holling’s score placed him seventh.

“This is only my second time competing at Fair Hill and I was much more prepared than my first time in 2001,” Miles said. “My first time here I was just so awestruck to be riding in the same event as people like Phillip Dutton and Bruce Davidson. I really wasn’t ready but this time I was.”

Finishing second was Jan Byyny of Purcellville, VA, who had a clean show jumping round and finished with a score of 56.4 on Waterfront. Byyny was a member of the U.S.’s Gold Medal team at the 1993 Pan American Eventing Championships held at the Fair Hill International.

Dutton and Tru Luck finished third, followed by five-time Olympian and two-time World Champion Bruce Davidson of Unionville, PA who was clean in show jumping to finish on his dressage score of 60.4 on Jam.

In driving, World Champion Suzy Stafford of Bear, DE, won the Advanced Single Pony division with a three-phase score of 150.25. Stafford, who won individual Gold at the 2005 World Pony Driving Championships, drove Believe It Or Not, a 10-year-old, bay, Morgan gelding.

Other winners in Advanced Driving competition were Robin Groves of Brownsville, VT and six-time USEF National Pairs Driving Champion Larry Poulin of Petersham, MA in the Single Horse and Pair Horse divisions, respectively; and Allison Stroud of West Grove, PA and Tracey Morgan of Beallsville, MD in the Pony Multiples and Pair Pony divisions respectively.

In the Intermediate Driving Divisions, Kim Stover of Smyrna, DE won the Single Horse Division with a score of 110.21 penalties driving Tony, a 6-year-old, bay, Hackney Standardbred, gelding. Other winners were Peter Von Halen in the Pair Horse Division; Vivian Creigh in the Single Pony and Joy Sweetland in the Pair Pony Divisions.

Highlighting the weekend’s schedule was Saturday’s eventing cross country and the driving marathon phases. It proved to be one of the great days in Fair Hill’s 18-year history. “The weather was perfect and we had huge crowds,” said Fair Hill International Executive Director Charlie Colgan. “Seeing smiles on thousands of faces made me extremely proud to be the Executive Director of the Fair Hill International!”

In addition to exciting equestrian competition, the 2006 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country featured dog agility trials, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, classic cars, live music, entertaining exhibits and demonstrations, and other fun activities.

The Festival’s ever popular Dog Agility Trials featured over 400 canine competitors. The Maryland Agricultural Showcase presented fun exhibits and hands-on activities to educate local youth about agriculture and careers in the agricultural industry. Talented puppeteer Jack Foreaker delighted visitors of all ages with his entertaining performances.

Local 4-H groups and their four-legged equine friends performed a play following the evolution of the horse. The Delmarva Miniature Horse Club gave carriage driving, jumping and in-hand demonstrations. U.S. Pony Club members, age 10-16, competed in the President’s Cup Invitational Games.

Rebecca Pitre/Whoa Buddy Productions performed bluegrass-inspired original songs for horse lovers of all ages. There was also sheep herding demonstrations with Stephen Paxton-Smith and his dog, as well as the Paws for Life doggie competitions, costume contests and other events that were open to everyone!

The Festival’s Kids’ Corner offered fun and educational activities for the younger set, including arts and crafts, face painting, and pony rides, and there was a Classic car exhibit.

The popular Country Shops boasted a wide variety of shopping and dining opportunities, including vendors of tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons.

The Festival of Art was open each day in the Fair Hill Club, which offered fine dining. Visitors seeking a more casual snack or meal found pubs around the Festival grounds serving classic Maryland crab-cakes and other tasty treats.

The 2006 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefited Union Hospital of Cecil County 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.

Full results and further information on this year’s Fair Hill International is available on line at www.fairhillinternational.com or by calling (410) 398-2111.