Set within the 5,656-acre Fair Hill State Natural Resources Management Area, the Fair Hill Racetrack and Special Event Zone is a world-class equestrian venue that blends history, innovation, and landscape excellence. Once part of William DuPont Jr.’s private estate, Fair Hill has long been a centerpiece of Maryland’s equestrian culture. Today, under the care of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), it serves as home to the Maryland 5 Star, one of only seven international 4- and 5-star equestrian eventing competitions in the world—and the second in the United States.
In addition to hosting elite competition, Fair Hill was preparing for the return of live horse racing in late summer 2025 following a major infrastructure modernization project. The newly rebuilt turf track, designed for flat racing, steeplechase, and eventing, features a sand-based Kentucky bluegrass surface—the first of its kind in Maryland—supported by advanced drainage, irrigation, and rootzone systems. The site’s success is vital not only for athletes and spectators, but also for Cecil County’s economic and cultural vitality.
Meeting the Challenge
Transforming and maintaining a sand-based turf system to world-class standards required a carefully calibrated agronomic strategy. Unlike native soils, sand has low nutrient retention and poor water-holding capacity—making moisture and fertility management critical. Over a five-year grow-in and stabilization period, Ruppert Landscape implemented a comprehensive turf health program including:
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Over 18 annual fertility and treatment applications, including biostimulants, PGRs, and fungicides
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Daily moisture monitoring every 300 feet using volumetric sensors to maintain optimal firmness and hydration (average 24–25%)
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Deep-tine aeration, verticutting, and topdressing to reduce compaction and promote root health
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Monthly testing of soil, tissue, and compaction to guide data-driven decisions
The site’s complex irrigation system, with more than 120 zones, is monitored daily and adjusted in real time through a mobile platform. During droughts, Ruppert’s team coordinated supplemental water deliveries and used well water to protect turf health.
Supporting Elite Performance
Since beginning its partnership with Maryland DNR in 2020, Ruppert Landscape has helped Fair Hill evolve into an elite competition venue capable of hosting top-tier events. A dedicated on-site team manages more than 100 acres of turf with support from autonomous mowers and precision equipment.
Event preparation is a highly coordinated effort. Fertilization, mowing, and irrigation are timed around training sessions, walk-throughs, and televised competitions, ensuring pristine footing and uninterrupted schedules. For the Maryland 5 Star, Ruppert’s team preps vendor and spectator zones, tends to cross-country obstacle plantings—often requiring 8–10 hours of daily hand watering—and performs immediate turf recovery afterward through reseeding, topdressing, and soil amendment.
This detailed approach ensures both surface safety and visual excellence, with competitors and spectators consistently praising Fair Hill’s condition. The 2024 Maryland 5 Star drew over 34,000 attendees and generated $15 million in direct economic impact, underscoring the venue’s regional significance.
Navigating Complex Conditions
Maintaining an equestrian track of this caliber presents ongoing challenges. Achieving the ideal turf height for performance—balancing horse safety and plant health—required close monitoring and fine-tuned mowing at a compromise height of 4.5–5 inches. The team also mitigated irrigation disruptions caused by electrical storms and drought through quick troubleshooting, decoder replacements, and long-term surge protection solutions.
Wildlife management and post-workout repairs—such as blowing and rolling turf to repair divots—are part of daily operations, ensuring consistent and safe footing. Through data collection, proactive maintenance, and collaboration with turf specialists, the Ruppert team transitioned Fair Hill from grow-in to race-ready condition with precision and care.
Project Outcome
The Fair Hill Racetrack and Special Event Zone stands today as a premier example of performance-driven landscape management. Combining agronomic science, innovative irrigation control, and hands-on expertise, Ruppert Landscape has helped the Maryland DNR deliver a venue that not only meets but exceeds international competition standards.
With racing set to return in 2025, Fair Hill’s revitalized turf track and event grounds are poised to continue Maryland’s rich equestrian legacy—safely, sustainably, and spectacularly.