History in the making
A start-up firm will offer sports betting on a 100-year-old Olympic sport for the first time in US history at the 2024 Maryland 5 Star Equestrian Competition.
Crab Sports will offer betting markets on the four-day eventing competition starting October 17 at Fair Hill Fairgrounds and Foxcatcher Arena in Maryland. For the first time in the US, attendees at the equestrian triathlon event can bet on the sport’s three disciplines: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.
handed the 2023-established Crab the exclusive rights
According to a press release, the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland handed the 2023-established Crab the exclusive rights to offer sports betting markets at the Fair Hill event.
These markets, states the release, include overall betting on the event in “both 5 Star (CCI5*-L) and 3 Star (CCI3*-L) competition classifications, event winner, Top 3, Top 5 and Top 10.”
Established Olympic sport
Eventing offers sports bettors multiple scenarios as a single horse and rider team compete against other competitors across three disciplines. While the sport dates far back to a cavalry test requiring mastery of diverse types of riding, the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden introduced the once martial discipline as a sport for the first time.
includes men and women competing against each other
According to the press release, the Concours Complet International 5 Star (CCI5*) designation is “the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing” and includes men and women competing against each other. The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is one of only two 5 Star level equestrian events of its kind in the US. The dressage showdown will be held Thursday-Friday, followed by cross-country on Saturday, with the show jumping finale on Sunday.
Crab Sports Director Craig Williams said his firm was “thrilled” to be appointed exclusive sport betting partner for the event.
“Partnering with local businesses and events is at the core of what we do, and this collaboration allows us to connect with our Maryland customers in meaningful ways, going beyond where others are willing to go.”
New opportunities
MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill President and CEO Jeff Newman said his organization was “so excited […] to offer this unique opportunity to our attendees and fans.” Newman added the Crab sports betting partnership “brings a new level of excitement and engagement to our event.”
Bettors can register for the event via the Crab’s website or app. New customers receive a $500 bet insurance offer, giving bettors a second chance if their “initial wager does not settle as a win.”