CCI5* in Maryland canceled
The USA’s second five-star event will not take place in 2026
from Dominique Wehrmann 
The Swiss duo Felix Vogg/Cartania may have been the last pair to win the CCI5*-L in Maryland. Photo: USEA Rumors had been circulating for months that there would be no CCI5* in Maryland, USA, this year. After initial assurances from the organizers that the event would take place, the USEF has now confirmed that the second five-star event in the USA alongside Kentucky will not actually take place this year. It had been scheduled for the weekend of October 14-18 in Maryland.
According to the USEF statement, there are problems with the financing of the show: “The U.S. Equestrian Federation has been in regular communication with the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) to support their ongoing discussions regarding the future staging of the Maryland 5 Star,” the USEF press release states. “The current licensee, the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, will not host the CCI3*-L or the CCI5*-L in 2026 due to financial difficulties.”
However, they are in talks with other organizers who could possibly take over the three-star eventing. They are also trying to explore the possibility of reviving the CCI5*-L.
Young horse championships would take place
Today, the US Eventing Association (USEA) announced that the “Young Event Horse East Coast Championships”, which were held parallel to the big eventing competition, will still take place – if the CCI3*-L can be organized.
“We are determined to host the YEH Championships at Fair Hill, provided the CCI3*-L takes place on the same weekend. This is subject to the USEF’s negotiations with the new licensee and the approval of the USEA Board of Directors,” said USEA Executive Director Rob Burk. “However, we know that there are several other venues that would like to host the YEH Championships and we would be willing to change venues. For now, however, we want to hold the championships on the same date and at the same venue, if possible.”
Fewer and fewer participants
The CCI5*-L in Maryland was launched in 2021. At that time, the Burghley Horse Trials were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the alternative event was very popular with 46 participants. Since then, however, the number has decreased year on year. In 2025, there were only 22 pairs at the start, the majority from the USA.
