Dansko Fair Hill International to Drop Combined Driving from 2008 Schedule

Fair Hill, MD - The Board of Directors of Fair Hill International, Inc. (FHI) has voted not to host a Combined Driving Event at the Dansko Fair Hill International when it returns to the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Fair Hill, MD, October 16-18, 2008.

The board made the decision with great reluctance at the recommendation of Fair Hill International co-president Lana Wright.  While Wright reported to the Board that the National Advanced Combined Driving Championships held at Fair Hill in 2007 were very successful, the event was suffering from a recent trend of low entries in its driving divisions.

"In recent years the number of entries at the upper levels has been disappointingly low and in 2007, even with the five championship divisions we offered at Fair Hill, that trend continued," she said.  "Looking ahead to 2008, especially in view of our mid-October position on the national driving schedule, we do not foresee any reason to anticipate any increase in entries.

"While Fair Hill is deeply grateful for the enthusiastic following we have enjoyed in the combined driving community over the years, we are unfortunately forced to recognize that the number of entries produced by our core of loyal supporters is not enough to justify the increasing cost of running the competition."

While Fair Hill's patrons will undoubtedly be disappointed by this news, FHI will continue to feature one of equestrian sport's most exciting competition, the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing Championship CCI***.  Also, the Fair Hill International, Inc. will continue to support Combined Driving Events whenever feasible.  In fact, the increasingly popular Elk Creek CDE, which was inaugurated at Fair Hill in 2005, will return to Fair Hill on June 14-15, 2008, for its fourth annual competition.

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.

For more information on the Dansko Fair Hill International, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com.