Fair Hill International is home to some of the region’s most prestigious equestrian events, demanding a racing surface that delivers speed, safety, and consistency at the highest level. In 2019, the venue initiated a large-scale renovation to modernize its turf track, improve drainage, and transition to a sand-based root-zone system capable of supporting elite equine performance. With 21 acres of racing surface to rebuild — and an aggressive schedule tied to upcoming competitions — Fair Hill turned to Hummer Turfgrass Systems. In addition to this reconstruction, Hummer continues to support Fair Hill, providing ongoing specialty services that sustain the track’s high-performance conditions.
Hummer executed the full reconstruction with precision. The team laser-graded the entire track to exact elevation tolerances, ensuring proper flow, smooth transitions, and a uniform racing profile from rail to rail. Over the course of the installation, Hummer placed more than 21 acres of high-performance sod, averaging 45,000 square feet per day, delivering both speed and consistency across the massive footprint. To support early establishment, Hummer engineered a temporary irrigation system covering 10 acres where permanent infrastructure had not yet been installed, enabling controlled moisture management during critical grow-in stages.
Following installation, Hummer managed the grow-in and stabilization of the new racing surface, preparing the track for the demands of high-speed equestrian competition. The result was a resilient, sand-based root-zone system that elevated the venue’s performance capacity and positioned Fair Hill as a premier destination for top-tier equestrian racing.
