Fair Hill International

What Fair Hill International does

Fair Hill International (FHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit equestrian event management organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Elkton, Maryland. The organization operates at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area under lease from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, hosting USEA-, USEF-, FEI-, AERC-, ECTRA-, and ADS-sanctioned competitions in eventing, endurance riding, and combined driving. FHI's product surface spans six core competition lines — Recognized Horse Trials (CCI4*-S down to Beginner Novice), Starter Horse Trials, Foxcatcher Endurance rides (10–50 miles plus Ride & Tie and Equathon), Elk Creek Combined Driving, Derby Cross schooling, and multiple practice disciplines (dressage, show jumping, cross country schoolings) — plus a Donations Platform and a Thoroughbred Incentive Program. The organization serves a continuum of equestrian athletes from grassroots amateurs through Olympic-level riders including Phillip Dutton and David O'Connor, and functions as Competition Partner for the Maryland 5 Star (CCI5*-L), one of only two 5-star eventing competitions in the United States.

FHI generates revenue across four streams: per-entry event registration fees (e.g., $145 per Starter Trial entry, $40/night stabling, $25–$70 per schooling round, 3% online processing fees on endurance), tiered corporate sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Premium Fence, Fence, Product/Prize), tax-deductible donations processed through a PayPal-backed donations platform, and grant funding from Cecil County, Maryland Horse Board, Maryland Sports, and the US Equestrian Foundation. Distribution runs through FHI's own WooCommerce-based website, EventEntries.com for recognized trials, USEA/USEF/FEI sanctioned event calendars, and partnerships with CrossCountryApp (interactive course maps) and EventingVolunteers.com (volunteer sign-ups). Spectator admission is free at all competitions.

The organization operates with three named paid staff (Business & Competition Director Mary Coldren, Bookkeeper Eileen Pritchard-Bryan, Executive Administrator Denise Maillie), a Board of Directors led by President Coates Bateman, Vice-President Fran Loftus, Treasurer Todd McGregor, and Secretary Mary Beth Heiser, and a volunteer base of 200–300+ recurring contributors delivering thousands of hours per season. FHI is governed by long-standing partnerships with USEA, USEF, FEI, AERC, ECTRA, and ADS, and holds heritage milestones including the 2003 Pan Am Games eventing competition and the inaugural Maryland 5 Star in 2021. The organization recently navigated two senior leadership transitions following the deaths of founding President Trish Gilbert (May 2024) and founding Co-President Lana duPont Wright (April 2025).

Name

Fair Hill International

Legal name

Fair Hill International, Inc.

Website

https://fairhillinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fair Hill International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates USEA/USEF/FEI-sanctioned equestrian competitions — including Recognized Horse Trials, Starter Trials, Foxcatcher Endurance, and Elk Creek Combined Driving — at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland, serving riders from grassroots to Olympic level.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Event Management and Competition Services

NAICS

Other Spectator Sports (711219), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing) (MPAKABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Equestrian event management
• Eventing horse trials
• Endurance riding competitions
• Combined driving events
• Horse trials schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Elkton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Entry Fees and Registration: Competitors pay to enter Horse Trials (Recognized and Starter), Foxcatcher Endurance rides, Elk Creek Combined Driving events, Derby Cross, and schooling sessions. Fees vary by event type and include online processing fees (3%).
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 52-1623918), Fair Hill International solicits tax-deductible donations from supporters. Donation options include general donations and targeted Elk Creek CDE donations. Donors are recognized on the 'Friends of Fair Hill International' page unless they opt out.
3. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support the organization at tiered levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Premium Fence, Fence, Product/Prize) in exchange for brand visibility at events and across digital channels. Additional funding comes from grants from Cecil County, Maryland Horse Board, Maryland Sports, and US Equestrian Foundation.
4. Stabling and Ancillary Fees: Revenue from stabling fees ($40 per horse per night including one bale of straw), extra straw, camper hookups ($45/night), primitive camping ($25/night), and stall cleaning deposits ($35 refundable).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fair Hill International organizes and hosts equestrian competitions in three disciplines — eventing (Recognized and Starter Horse Trials), endurance riding (Foxcatcher Endurance), and combined driving (Elk Creek Combined Driving) — at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland. The organization sells entry registrations to riders, stabling and camping services to competitors on site, and offers sponsorship visibility packages to corporate partners. As a 501(c)(3), it also solicits tax-deductible donations and grants to support its operations and facility stewardship.

Product overview

Fair Hill International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating as a multi-discipline equestrian event platform. The core offerings consist of Recognized and Starter Horse Trials (eventing competitions), Foxcatcher Endurance Rides, Elk Creek Combined Driving Events, and Derby Cross schooling events. Supporting products include Cross Country Schoolings, Dressage Schoolings, Show Jump Schoolings, a Donations Platform, Thoroughbred Incentive Program awards, and the Starter Trials Series championship. FHI also serves as Competition Partner for the Maryland 5 Star CCI5*-L event. The organization runs events from April through October at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill: A prestigious CCI5*-L event held at Fair Hill Special Event Zone, one of only two 5 Star events in the United States.
• Foxcatcher Endurance Ride
• Elk Creek Combined Driving Event
• Derby Cross

Products and services

• Recognized Horse Trials USEA/USEF-sanctioned three-phase eventing competitions (dressage, cross-country, show jumping) at national and international levels including CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI1*, Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice levels. Targeted at professional and elite equestrian athletes.
• Starter Horse Trials Unrecognized horse trials for beginning riders offering Elementary, Starter, Beginner Novice, and Novice levels with smaller fences. Entry fees $145 per entry ($120 for Pony Club or 4-H members) with a $40 late fee. Targets grassroots and amateur equestrian athletes including Pony Club and 4-H youth members.
• Foxcatcher Endurance Ride AERC- and ECTRA-sanctioned endurance ride offering 10, 12.5, 25, and 50 mile distances, plus Ride & Tie and Equathon events at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. Targets endurance and competitive trail riders of all levels with online registration subject to a 3% processing fee.
• Elk Creek Combined Driving Event ADS-recognized combined driving competition featuring dressage, cones, and cross-country phases for single, pair, and team entries at Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Hybrid levels. Targets combined driving competitors.
• Derby Cross Unjudged schooling event combining show jumping and cross-country into one course, offering Elementary, Starter, Beginner Novice, and Novice levels at $55 per round. Multiple rounds permitted. Targets grassroots and amateur riders seeking practice.
• Cross Country Schoolings Practice sessions over cross-country fences at various levels held at Sawmill Field with pre-registration required. Priced at $70 per horse with online pre-registration and pre-payment. Targets riders seeking course practice before competitions.
• Dressage Schooling Dressage practice sessions in large and small arenas offering test opportunities at $35 per test. Targets riders preparing dressage phases for upcoming competitions.
• Show Jump Schoolings Stadium jumping practice rounds at $25 pre-registered or $30 day-of at various course levels. Targets riders practicing show jumping phases ahead of horse trials.
• Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI5*-L level event managed by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, with FHI as Competition Partner. Not scheduled for 2026 but planned to return in 2027. Targets the highest-level professional eventing athletes in the world.
• Donations Platform Online donation processing for the 501(c)(3) organization supporting FHI's mission with tax-deductible contributions. General donations and targeted Elk Creek CDE donations accepted; donors are recognized on the Friends of Fair Hill International page unless they opt out.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,000+ attendees per season across Endurance Riding, Combined Driving, and Eventing Horse Trials
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core partnership and minor.

• CrossCountry Appcore partnershipGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partnership providing interactive maps of cross country courses at Fair Hill events. Course Map sponsorships are also offered subject to availability.
• USEA (United States Eventing Association)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body for eventing in the US. Sanctions Fair Hill's Recognized Horse Trials and hosts its Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) in partnership with EventingVolunteers.com.
• USEF (United States Equestrian Federation)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for equestrian sports. Co-sanctions Fair Hill's recognized horse trials alongside USEA.
• FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational governing body for equestrian sport. Sanctions international-level CCI competitions at Fair Hill (CCI4*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI1*), and previously sanctioned Pan Am Games eventing competition.
• Maryland Department of Natural Resourcescore partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwns and manages the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. FHI operates on this state-owned property under a lease agreement, maintaining fields, footing, and environmental standards.
• AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body for endurance riding in the US. Sanctions the Foxcatcher Endurance Ride.
• ECTRA (Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body for competitive trail and endurance riding in the Eastern US. Co-sanctions Foxcatcher Endurance rides.
• ADS (American Driving Society)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body for combined driving in the US. Sanctions the Elk Creek Combined Driving Trial and Combined Test.
• Cecil County Government / Cecil County TourismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides grant funding and tourism support to Fair Hill International. FHI supports Cecil County through the Youth Empowerment Source program for at-risk youth.
• Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Marylandcore partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill event. FHI serves as Competition Partner for this prestigious CCI5*-L event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill: The CCI5*-L event held at the same Fair Hill venue, managed by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland with FHI serving as Competition Partner. Direct peer because it shares the venue, sanctioning bodies, and customer base with FHI's flagship programming.
• Galway Downs International: A USEA-recognized eventing venue in Temecula, California hosting Horse Trials at multiple levels. Closely comparable to FHI's Recognized and Starter Horse Trials in format, governing body relationships, and customer base.
• Carolina International: A USEA-recognized CCI4*-S event held at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC. Directly comparable to FHI as a sanctioned US Horse Trials event drawing similar competitor and spectator demographics.
• Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event: The other CCI5*-L event in the United States and the most direct competitor to FHI's Maryland 5 Star. Operated at the Kentucky Horse Park, it draws the same elite international riders, sponsors, and spectator audience as FHI's flagship event.
• Great Meadow International: A CCI4*-S event and eventing venue in The Plains, Virginia. Directly comparable to FHI's Recognized Horse Trials as an East Coast FEI/USEA sanctioned eventing competition with a similar grassroots-to-elite model.
• Morven Park International: An eventing venue in Leesburg, VA hosting USEA-recognized Horse Trials. Comparable to FHI as a nonprofit equestrian venue operating sanctioned eventing competitions with similar volunteer models.
• Plantation Field International: A USEA-recognized eventing venue in Coatesville, PA hosting Horse Trials from Training level through CCI4*-S. Comparable East Coast grassroots-to-elite eventing model with a similar volunteer-driven nonprofit structure.

Others

• United States Eventing Association (USEA): The national governing body for eventing in the US and FHI's primary sanctioning partner. While not a direct competitor, USEA sets the competition calendar, membership, and rider-development framework that shapes FHI's eventing business.

Broad incumbents

• Devon Horse Show & Country Fair: A historic equestrian event in Devon, PA with a strong showing, eventing, and equestrian tradition. Comparable to FHI as a long-running, donor-supported equestrian event with a similar Mid-Atlantic audience and brand heritage.
• Tryon International Equestrian Center: A large multi-discipline equestrian venue in Mill Spring, NC hosting FEI eventing, show jumping, dressage, and hunter/jumper competitions. Comparable to FHI as a multi-discipline US eventing venue, though broader in scope and commercially owned rather than nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FairHillInternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/fairhillint
• TikToktiktok.com/@fairhillint
• Xx.com/fairhillint
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fair-hill-international

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fair Hill International