LOCATION Elkton, Md.
COMPANY Ruppert Landscape
DETAILS Fair Hill is home to one of only seven five-star equestrian venues in the world, and the second one in the U.S. It’s where horses and riders race and compete at the elite Maryland 5 Star event, meaning only the best conditions are acceptable.
“Managing Fair Hill is both an honor and a responsibility,” says Martin Sanchez, branch manager for Ruppert’s Toughkenamon, Pa., branch. “Every decision we make impacts not just how the property looks but how safe and consistent the footing is for horses and riders competing at an Olympic level.”
Day-to-day maintenance at Fair Hill is extremely detailed and data driven, Sanchez says, with more than 100 acres of turf managed with a full-time crew. The main turf track is sand based, meaning moisture is monitored daily, and real-time irrigation adjustments are made on the more than 120 zones.
When the 5 Star is on the horizon, pre-event prep takes priority, including competition arenas, cross-country obstacles, farmland, vendor spaces and tailgating fields all receiving makeovers or upkeep.
“There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s very rewarding to see everything come together and know that our work plays a direct role in a successful, safe event,” Sanchez says.
And in true competition fashion, Ruppert Landscape took home a trophy of its own. The company won a gold award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Awards of Excellence program thanks to its maintenance of the site, which started in April of 2020.
