(A story that ran on this website Oct. 8 about Select Event Group’s decision to withdraw as a prospective license holder for a future Maryland 5-star eventing competition lacked sufficient comment from Select to clarify its course of action. That information has been presented today, and is included throughout the revised story in bold-face type.)
Efforts to bring back the Maryland 5-star eventing competition next year have been scuttled by the withdrawal of the organizing group behind it, though it still seeks “a sustainable path forward” for the future.
Select Event Group “remains committed to the long-term vision of restoring one of the world’s premier eventing competitions and continues to work collaboratively with public, private, and community stakeholders to identify a sustainable path forward,” according to a statement issued Oct. 8.
It said, “After careful evaluation of current timelines, funding requirements, and organizational responsibilities, Select Event Group has informed the United States Equestrian Federation that it will withdraw as the prospective license holder for a future Maryland 5 Star event at this time.”
In its new statement of Oct. 12, Select addressed the USEF Licensing Process, and its decision to withdraw, this way: “USEF’s licensing timeline requires firm commitments well in advance. We have been so impressed with USEF’s team and their process. A large part of the decision to withdraw as licensee at this time was out of respect for USEF. Without full certainty that alignment would happen, it wasn’t responsible for Select to keep holding up their timelines. We see this as a structural step, not a step back.
“The licensing process and potential funding arrangements remain part of ongoing discussions among stakeholders. USEF has been a close and valued partner throughout this process, and we appreciate their continued collaboration as we work toward identifying a sustainable path forward.”
The Maryland event, which was staged for five years, last ran in 2025, when it was won by Switzerland’s Felix Vogg on Cartania.
The 2025 Maryland 5-star winner, Felix Vogg of Switzerland and Cartania.
“This decision reflects the practical realities of the current situation, not a lack of enthusiasm for the event’s return,” the original statement continued.
The 5-star received approximately $3 million annually from the state, which has had major fiscal issues. In February, the state Division of Legislative Services discussed 2027 budget proposals before the state Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, recommending that grants for the 5-star should be deleted for the fiscal year that began July 1.
“While encouraging discussions continue regarding potential funding, governance, and operating structures, the certainty necessary to responsibly relaunch an event of this scale has not yet materialized. Rather than misrepresent the status or timing of those efforts, we believe it is important to be transparent with the governing body (USEF) and the broader equestrian community regarding where things stand today,” noted the original statement.
Select addressed “Funding and Other Considerations” in its Oct. 12 update this way: “Funding is an important piece, but it isn’t the only obstacle. For an event of this scale to be sustainable, funding, governance, operating structure, and timing all have to align. Here, resolving the remaining 2025 issues while working within the 2027 licensing timeline compressed the planning window. With the State’s support, the 2025 issues are now resolved, and stakeholders can focus on securing the long-term funding and support needed for the event’s return without forcing those discussions into a year-specific licensing deadline.”
The Maryland 5-star had financial and managerial issues, as well as being unable to attract a large field at the highest level of the sport.
Autumn is the tail-end of the eventing season. Many top horses have finished their annual campaigns by that time, especially in a year such as 2026 that included a world championships for which qualification was a priority.
In Europe, the Pau, France 5-star scheduled the week after the U.S. 5-star affected the number of competitors who would come to Maryland from abroad. This month, Pau has 52 starters. Meanwhile, establishment last year of the U.S. Eventing Open, a 4-star Long, with $200,000 in prize money, also was not helpful for attracting entries to the Maryland event. And riders trying to qualify for a championship can do so without competing in a 5-star, while saving their horses’ best efforts for a title meet.
The number of horses competing in the 5-star was down to 22 entries last October. While it brought in 32,000 spectators in 2025 and gained $18 million for the state’s economy, the event was projected at one time to have an impact of $30 million and 80,000 spectators. The only 5-star in the U.S. is Defender Kentucky, which will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in the spring. The other 5-stars around the world are Badminton and Burghley in Great Britain, Adelaide in Australia, Luhmuhlen in Germany and Pau.
This decision involving the 5-star does not affect the 3-Star event or Young Horse competition that will be held at Fair Hill, Maryland, this week. Select addressed course designer Pierre Le Goupil’s work on the cross-country route this way: “This year’s focus at Fair Hill has been delivering a great CCI3*. Pierre has been wonderful, and while his focus was on preparing for the 3*-L course, he has great ideas ready for the 5* course as well.”
(Select’s decision) relates only to the timing and structure of a future Maryland 5-Star, which ran in the Fair Hill Special Events Zone. Select is still ready to “participate in, or potentially lead, a future organizing effort as a viable long-term funding model emerges,” according to the Oct. 8 statement.
“Fair Hill remains a world-class venue, and many dedicated stakeholders continue working toward a solution that can ensure the Maryland 5 Star’s successful return. We remain hopeful that opportunity will present itself in the future and stand ready to assist when it does.”
Select expanded on the extent of its involvement in its update, stating it has “deep roots at Fair Hill and believes in what a 5 Star means for Maryland and the sport. We stepped forward to help keep momentum going while the longer-term structure came together.
‘We still believe that the 5-Star is great for Maryland and will be incredible for Maryland. As a Maryland-based event services company, we want to ensure events like this are given the best chance for success so they can continue to help provide for all of the participating Maryland businesses and the surrounding communities.”