Six sites have made bids to host the proposed a state-owned Maryland horse center, and now it looks as if the choice is down to two. The Washington Post reports that Maryland Stadium Authority officials announced late on Tuesday, Aug. 23, they\’ve narrowed the field to a site near Annapolis and to Fair Hill.

But both sites face opposition from nearby residents, despite the economic benefit brought by similar parks in Kentucky, Virginia and New Jersey. The stadium authority\’s plan calls for a 5,000-seat indoor arena, an outdoor amphitheater, six to 12 outdoor show rings, and 800 to 1,200 stalls.

The Annapolis bid covers 1,082 acres, bisected by Interstate 97 in Crownsville, northwest of the state capital. According to the Post, it combines parts of the closed Crownsville Hospital Center (owned by the state), the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, the Eisenhower Golf Course, and the city\’s waterworks property.

The Fair Hill bid calls for using about 800 acres of the 5,613 acres the state owns as a park and nature area. Fair Hill is already a much-used equestrian area, hosting the Fair Hill CCI*** and 100-mile endurance ride each October and more than half a dozen horse trials (from novice to advanced levels) throughout the year. It\’s also home to the National Steeplechase Association, has an annual race meet in May, and is a busy racehorse training center.

And thousands of local riders enjoy hacking on its hundreds of miles of trails every week.

It\’s those pleasure riders, hikers and bikers who oppose to the Fair Hill bid, fearing it will just lead to development of the woods and meadows they love. Joanne Richart-Young, the agricultural coordinator for Cecil County (where Fair Hill is located), told the Post that the new horse park would have “minimal, if any, impact” on other property users.

Anne Arundel County opponents also fear increased development in an area under severe threat since it lies between Washington, Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay. City officials had said they planned to restore the area to agricultural use.

Stadium authority officials are supposed to chose between Annapolis and Fair Hill in mid-September, then present the proposal to the state\’s General Assembly to be approved next year.