Efforts to bring back the Maryland 5-star eventing competition next year have been scuttled by the withdrawal of the organizing group behind it.
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 Thursday afternoon.
“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.”
The event, which was staged for five years, last ran in 2025, when it was won by Switzerland’s Felix Vogg on Cartania.
“This decision reflects the practical realities of the current situation, not a lack of enthusiasm for the event’s return,” the 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 and the broader equestrian community regarding where things stand today,” noted the statement.
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. 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.
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 next week. It 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 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 sent out its statement after 5 p.m. Thursday, when its offices were closed. No response was received to a text and email requesting further comment from Caitlin Feeley, director of marketing for Select, which has a sports and entertainment division.
