by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 19, 2025
Through the ups and downs of the leaderboard at the MARS Maryland 5-star at Fair Hill, Swiss rider Felix Vogg inched his way forward; from third place after dressage to second following cross-country, finally achieving victory in the show jumping finale on Sunday.
Felix Vogg and Cartania on their way to victory.
The standings had been steady at the top — New Zealand’s Monica Spencer led the 22 starters in dressage and stayed first after finishing well within the optimum time on cross-country on her intrepid thoroughbred, Artist.
But her luck ran out in the show jumping, where the rails started falling along the route designed by Michel Vaillancourt. First it was the vertical at fence 6 after the double combination, then another rail at the vertical after the triple bar. The one fence she had in hand over Felix and his elegant mare, Cartania, wasn’t enough — as Monica had suspected on Saturday, when she contemplated the final phase and how Artist might fare.
She was philosophical about her placing.
“To be second at a 5-Star is the stuff dreams are made of,” she commented.
Monica Spencer and Artist.
Her total of 31.7 penalties was a personal best at a 5-star and the highlight of a year in which she finished eighth at Kentucky and sixth at Aachen.
For Artist, “Show jumping’s not his strength,” she said while beaming with joy and holding a bouquet of red roses after the prize giving.
“It was a technical track out there and we just fell a bit short in a couple of places. I think he tried hard and I’m pleased with him,” said Monica, who began basing herself in Pennsylvania nearly two years ago.
In 2022, when he took first place with 29 penalties on Colero at Germany’s Luhmuhlen, Felix became the only Swiss ever to win an eventing 5-Star since one of his countrymen enjoyed victory at Badminton in 1951 (though that level had a different name then). Now the 35-year-old rider has two 5-star triumphs to his credit; again the only Swiss with that claim to fame.
Felix Vogg on his victory gallop.
“Unreal,” he said after his victory gallop, in which he joyfully made a third circuit, rather than the traditional two. For exceeding the 82-second time allowed, he added only 0.4 penalties to his dressage score, giving him a total of 28.7.
“The horse is unbelievable. I wanted to win all week, but of course, many people want that. The mare actually delivered, it’s fantastic. She was all week mentally so strong,” said Felix, who has ridden her for seven years and considered her his third-string mount until recently because he was riding several other exciting horses.
When Cartania had a dental problem last summer, Felix started jumping her in a hackamore. It worked so well he has kept on using it. She won the first event of her career in July at the 4-star short at Avenches, Switzerland.
Felix received a travel grant from the Maryland 5-Star International Riders Travel Grant Program. As foreign rider after foreign rider told me, the expense of coming across the Atlantic is daunting, and with so many events in Europe, financially for some it makes sense to stay there.
“Without that grant, I wouldn’t be here,” said Felix, who left America richer, having collected $100,000 for his victory.
Boyd Martin, the only American to win the Maryland event in its five-year history, had a rough weekend, falling from Luke 140 during cross-country. With his second horse, Commando 3, he was understandably cautious on cross-country, incurring 8 time penalties for taking several long routes.
Boyd Martin and Commando 3.
He was standing fifth coming into show jumping. But then Jennie Brannigan had two rails with FE Lifestyle, Boyd produced a clean round and Mia Farley, who had been third with Phelps, dropped four poles to go from third to seventh. (Phelps did, however, win the special award for the best performance by an American thoroughbred in the 5-Star.)
That moved Boyd up to the podium on 38.3 penalties.
Speaking about Commando, Boyd noticed, “he’s finished second for Kentucky and third at Maryland. I think the best is still to come.”
Even so, being on the podium in Maryland is still an achievement.
Maryland winner Felix Vogg with Monica Spencer and Boyd Martin.
“I love to win, but it’s not so bad being third to these two champion horsemen…horsewoman,” he said, noting Monica is his next door neighbor and Felix had lived with him and his family for a year.
“My wife is secretly in love with him,” he revealed.
That seemed to be the biggest story of the day, so I asked Silva Martin if it was true, as she herded her three little boys in the VIP area.
Silva, a top dressage rider, admitted to having a crush on Felix, but she correctly pointed out it wasn’t going anywhere.
“He has a really great girlfriend, so I think that would be a better match. I’m not sure Felix would want a woman with three children by Boyd Martin.”
This was all in fun, of course.
The original field of 22 was down to 13 for the show jumping. Top 10 finishes worth noting included the oldest horse in the competition, Sunday Times, who is 18. He was tenth, with two rails down, but looked happy to be doing his job.
Sophia Hill, who came over from Australia earlier this month, didn’t have a great dressage test with a horse who hadn’t had a chance to settle in, but Humble Glory was the fastest on cross-country and wound up sixth on his dressage score of 46.2 after a brilliant show jumping display.
Sunday Times, at 18 the oldest horse in the 5-Star, with Arden Wildasin.
Click here for 5-Star results.
In the 3-Star, Isabelle Bosley held onto the lead she established in dressage, winning on 24.8 penalties aboard her Oldenburg mount, Conner. Second-place Alyssa Phillips did the same, adding nothing to her dressage score of 25.5 penalties on her Holsteiner, Rockett 19. Third-place Olivia Dutton dropped a rail at the first fence and collected time penalties but was able to keep her third-place standing with a score of 32.9 on Jewelent, an Irish Sport Horse who is rather a new ride for her..
Isabelle and Olivia both train with Olivia’s father, Olympic multi-medalist Phillip Dutton.
Isabelle is a local resident from Monkton, Md., and she had a big fan club cheering her on.
Three-Star stars Alyssa Phillips, Isabelle Bosley and Olivia Dutton.
“It means so much to have my family and friends here supporting me this weekend. Conner was incredible, he’s such a good boy, and he’s definitely not for sale,” she said, noting, “I’ve been asked a couple of times.”
Click here for 3-Star results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 18, 2025
During both dressage days at the MARS Maryland 5-star event, the riders seemed more apprehensive than usual about Saturday’s cross-country test, walking the course over and over, describing it as challenging, massive and technical.
Not only was it the first time Pierre Le Goupil had designed a 5-star, it also was his inaugural effort at Fair Hill, known for its hilly terrain (hence the name) that requires a very fit horse to handle the task.
Monica Spencer and Artist at the giant crab, holding the right on red flag in his claw.
Putting that all together added up to multiple cases of nerves, and in some cases, full-scale apprehension.
But as is often the case, the anticipation was much worse than the outcome for the majority in the starting field of 22, which had 13 competitors who made it through the finish line.
Seven had no jumping faults, and the top three all finished within the 11-minute optimum time, as New Zealand’s Monica Spencer held her lead from dressage on 23.7 penalties with the 14-year-old thoroughbred, Artist.
The leader after dressage, Monica Spencer with Artist.
“He definitely was ready to run,” said Monica, who finished with 24 seconds to spare.
While the route dotted with obstacles bearing intimidating names such as Pierre’s Puzzle and the Chesapeake Beasts was as difficult as some had feared, it definitely wasn’t easy.
“I think it was tough out there. You really had to fight for it the whole way, be ready to act on your feet and have a brave and generous horse,” Monica said.
“It was as hard as we thought it would be, but we did it, so we’re very happy.” She noted that the ground, irrigated by a storm last Monday, was perfect and that her horse “was a machine” on that surface.
Felix Vogg of Switzerland, second with Cartania on 28.3 penalties, said because the design was by Pierre, who is “really into details… it mostly rides better than you expect.” Even so, he noted, echoing Monica, “it was tough.”
Felix Vogg and Cartania.
Mia Farley, third on another thoroughbred, Phelps, was just one second under the optimum time, moving up from ninth after dressage with 32.2 penalties.
“I think it walked kind of how it rode,” said the only U.S. representative in the top three.
“He made it feel easy,” she added, noting she felt bad about her caution in taking two long routes. But even so, she came closest to the optimum time with the son of the noted stallion Tiznow. Phelps’ original name was Tiz Special, and that certainly sums up his character.
Mia Farley and Phelps gallop away from the giant crab at MARS Sustainability Bay.
Sophia Hill’s thoroughbred, Humble Glory by Bernardini (another renowned stallion), was the only other horse to finish under the optimum time. In fact, Hughey, as he is known, was four seconds quicker than Artist. He moved up from twentieth after a disastrous dressage test to seventh place on 46.2 penalties. He only came from Australia a week before Fair Hill, and his rider noted he really hadn’t had time to settle in. He’s going to remain in the U.S. with Monica, and Sophia will travel back and forth from Down Under to compete him.
Chessie, the sea monster who lives in Chesapeake Bay, tried to swallow Sophia Hill, but her horse, Humble Glory, was too fast for him.
Thoroughbreds used to dominate eventing in the days of the long format that included steeplechase and roads and tracks. Elimination of those segments opened the door to warmbloods, whose way of moving generally earns better marks in dressage. But the performances of Artist (known as Max) and Phelps show the value of thoroughbreds in the sport when speed and endurance are a factor. And it should be mentioned that although Cartania is a Holsteiner, she is 45 percent thoroughbred.
So I asked Monica and Mia what they think their thoroughbreds’ performances at the 5-star have done for the reputation of the breed in eventing.
“They keep answering. Every 5 star, there’s at least one I feel like that just goes for it and gets everything done,” said Mia.
As Monica noted, “We love our thoroughbreds. Max and Phelps are doing it for those average brown thoroughbreds out there. It’s nice that they can find a second career. I love that I can let him go on the straights…I don’t have to feel rushed, I can make up time after the jumps, so it allows me to be more accurate.”
Boyd Martin, the highest-ranked rider internationally at the event who stands fifth in the world, ran into trouble at Pierre’s Puzzle, falling at the third element after a refusal from Luke 140. He came back later in the day to ride Commando 3, but was understandably cautious with him, taking long routes at the Chesapeake Beasts, fanciful monsters made from evergreens, and at the MARS Sustainability Bay. He is fifth on 38.3 penalties. Jennie Brannigan, still recovering from an injury suffered in a fall at Morven Park last weekend, is fourth on FE Lifestyle (36.4).
Boyd Martin on Commando 3 over the Bay Bridge, one of the Maryland-themed fences in the 5-star.
In addition to Boyd on Luke, Will Faudree on Mama’s Magic Way was eliminated for a fall, while Caroline Pamukcu’s mount, She’s the One, fell at the Fox Catcher Flyer.
Going into Sunday’s show jumping at the event presented by Brown Advisory, things are still close, though Monica has a rail in hand over Felix, whose mare was bred for jumping. He pointed out “she can jump high,” as illustrated by her cross-country performance.
Felix Vogg, Monica Spencer and Mia Farley
Monica is glad to have that rail in hand, and would have liked two.
“I came to this event hoping to get on the podium after swinging and missing for many top 10s,” she noted.
Mia concedes “show jumping is not our strong suit, we have Phelps for cross-country and he gives me a great experience on Saturdays” but added, “I will do my best on Sunday for him and he will do his best for me.”
click here for the 5-star results. Click this link for 3-star results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 17, 2025
The top six competitors from the first day of the Mars Maryland 5-star event were re-directed down the leaderboard Friday, after the full field had completed the dressage phase.
On Thursday, no one was able to score less than 30 penalties, but the second day brought New Zealand’s Monica Spencer to the top on a sparkling personal best of 23.7 penalties aboard Artist, a 14-year-old thoroughbred she has worked with for 10 years. In terms of non-eventing dressage, the equivalent would have been a more than respectable 76.35 percent for the U.S.-based rider.
Monica Spencer and Artist, the leaders after dressage.
But she is well aware the real work has only just begun, with cross-country scheduled for Saturday.
“I think dressage will be long-forgotten tomorrow and it will be interesting to see how the day unfolds. It’s a serious track out there I’ve walked it three time so far and it hasn’t gotten any smaller each time,” Monica reported.
Contemplating her success and her beloved mount, known as Max, the rider became overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears at the post-competition press conference.
“He has been such a great horse for me. He has taken me all over the world,” Monica reflected and began crying.
“He just tries so hard,” she said.
“It’s really special to be in a 5-star and be back at Maryland where our American adventure began.”
In the midst of her tears, she got a comfort hug from Caroline Pamukcu, who rode HSH Blake, her 2024 U.S. Olympic team mount to second place with 28.2 penalties.
Caroline had a baby (named Blake!) in February. As a result, even though she began riding again a week after the birth, she got a late start not only on her fitness for this year, but also on that of her Irish sport horse, who wasn’t looking so sporty after his layoff.
“He was like a balloon,” she recalled with a smile.
“We thought he was sick, because he was so fat.”
But she worked at getting in shape and praised the U.S. Equestrian Federation for the help it offered, and the training sessions held at Boyd Martin’s farm in Pennsylvania.
She did it! Caroline Pamukcu was thrilled with her dressage score on HSH Blake.
Standing third is Swiss rider Felix Vogg, who forsook next week’s 5-star at Pau in France, right next door to his homeland. He decided to fly his Holsteiner, Cartania, to the U.S. because he thought Maryland’s hilly terrain would suit her better that the flat layout at Pau. His mare’s score of 28.3 penalties was a personal best for her.
Cartania floated to her personal best dressage test under the guidance of Felix Vogg.
But with dressage in the rear view for the field of 22, the real work has only just begun. Cross-country likely is another game-changer.
The course is designed by Pierre Le Goupil, a Frenchman whose routes are unfamiliar to most American riders, except those who competed in the 2023 Pan American Games and the 2024 Olympics, neither of which were at 5-star level. But Caroline, who rode Blake in both, cited the logical progression for her horse to compete in the first 5-star designed by Pierre.
Thursday’s leader, Boyd Martin, was Caroline’s teammate in Paris, so he also is no stranger to Pierre’s style.
He noted, “it’s an unusual course, it’s very creative. It should be an exciting day.”
Boyd Martin and Commando 3.
While Boyd slipped to seventh place on his Thursday leader, Luke 140, he tied for fourth Friday on Commando 3 with New Zealander Jonelle Price aboard Chili’s Midnight Star, who is by William Fox Pitt’s great stallion, Chilli Morning. Both riders were scored at 30.3 penalties.
Another threat from the Southern Hemisphere, Tayla Mason of New Zealand on Centennial, is sixth, just 0.1 penalty behind.
Will the top three stay in place after cross-country? We’ll have to see if cross-country is as tough as everyone says it is.
The top three after dressage: Caroline Pamukcu, Monica Spencer, Felix Vogg.
Click here for 5-star results. Click this link for 3-star results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 16, 2025
The first half of dressage competition was featured Thursday at the Mars Maryland 5-star Three-Day Event, as the USA’s Boyd Martin topped the scoreboard with Luke 140, but much more than the placings were on everybody’s mind.
Boyd Martin and Luke 140.
Topic A was the cross-country course, a medley of question marks, with Pierre Le Goupil taking over from Ian Stark as the designer in the fifth year of the event, presented by Brown Advisory.
It’s the only 5-star layout ever produced by Pierre, though he is vastly experienced, having done the Paris Olympics in 2024 (the Olympics is at 4-star-plus level, as the designer explains) in addition to producing routes at scores of other events around the world.
Pierre Le Goupil.
The up-and-down Fair Hill terrain is daunting even without the fences; with them, it’s a real test of fitness. Last year, only eight horses of the 21 that started on cross-country came back to show jump on the final day.
This year, the middle phase of the event will be different, but it won’t be any easier.
“This course is pretty challenging, so we’ve got our work cut out for us on Saturday,” said Boyd, scored at 31 penalties with a horse who was on his toes. Boyd did a good job to stay on when the Holsteiner spooked in a big way as he left the arena.
On the much discussed topic of cross-country, “The jumping efforts are massive,” observed Canada’s Jessica Phoenix, who retired on course last year with Wabbit, but is back to try again.
“The technical questions are some of the most technical questions I’ve ever seen. All of it, start to finish, you have to be really on your game and those horses have to know really where they’re going and be willing to fight for it.”
She added, “On the plus side, the way they’ve done the roping this year and changed a little bit of the flow of the course will help the horses settle in their rhythm earlier,
What’s in her favor is that Wabbit is a thoroughbred, a rare breed in eventing these days, but when it comes to fitness and endurance, they excel. Wabbit has some ground to make up, standing eighth on 40.2 penalties with 11 more horses to compete in dressage on Friday.
Will Faudree, an American who is ninth on Mama’s Magic Way (43.5 penalties), has entered 24 or 25 5-stars in his career, so he’s seen legions of their cross-country courses. Of this one, he assessed, “It’s a plenty big enough track. It’s going to be a big job to do on Saturday.”
Although British riders have been a fixture at the event since its inception, with last year’s winner, Oliver Townend, and Harry Meade having been among the regulars from abroad, there’s only one Brit on the roster this time.
That’s Alexander Bragg, third at Badminton last year with Quindiva, the world’s highest-rated eventing mare and a stunning creature, who is coming back after having two embryo transplants.
Alexander Bragg and Quindiva.
Quindiva was standing seventh with 39.2 penalties, after getting “quite lit-up going down the chute,” her rider said, citing “extra atmosphere and the wind” making everything “very, very scary. Today, she didn’t let me get the best out of her.”
But he’s looking forward to cross-country, because “Maryland is renowned for that sort of gallopy cross-country feel, and that’s what the mare is good at.”
He’s hoping to jump up the leaderboard with his Oldenburg beauty after cross-country.
“The harder the course is and the higher they build the show jumping, the better for me. So this is why we’re at Maryland,” explained Alexander, who is making his competitive debut in the U.S. this weekend.
But I wondered, why aren’t there other Brits at Maryland? In the spring, Harry and Tom McEwen were at Kentucky, which drew 33 starters on cross-country. Bigger numbers of entries at Maryland are harder to get.
Alexander explained, “Financially, it’s a tough draw to come here. It costs a lot of money to fly and there isn’t really funding for that in the U.K. to bring horses across the water.
“I think that’s probably one of the big deciding factor. Obviously, a lot of horses get taken out in the championships and at Burghley horse trials, and Maryland is after that. The cost makes that a big decision to come.”
Boyd’s 2024 Paris Olympics teammate, Caroline Pamukcu, is poised in second place on She’s the One.
The calendar was particularly crowded this summer and fall, with the European championships, the new US Open of eventing last week and the Pau 5-star in France next week.
Click here for 5-star results. Click this link for 3-star results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 15, 2025
U.S.-based Irish Olympic show jumper Darragh Kenny is provisionally suspended in an anti-doping case relating to his prescribed treatment for a medical condition. The suspension is related to testing at last summer’s European Show Jumping Championships.
The FEI has indicated the substance involved is classified under class S6, which are stimulants, on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, according to a statement issued by Horse Sport Ireland.
“Substances in this category may be found in certain prescribed medications used in the treatment of medical conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], anaphylaxis and cold and flu symptoms.”
Darragh rode Eddy Blue on the Irish team that finished fourth at the Europeans, where the rider was seventh individually.
In a statement offered through Horse Sport Ireland, Darragh said, “After the European Championships earlier this year, I was notified by the FEI of a positive result for a medication prohibited under anti-doping regulations,
“The medication in question is part of a prescribed treatment I have been taking under medical supervision for ADHD. As a result, the FEI has imposed a provisional suspension while the matter is being reviewed. I am cooperating fully with the FEI and the International Testing Agency (ITA) to clarify the circumstances surrounding this case.”
Darragh added he “never intended to gain any competitive advantage. My sole aim was to responsibly address a medical condition under professional guidance.
“I am deeply grateful to my national federation, my sponsors, owners, clients and the broader equestrian community for their support throughout this process.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 9, 2025
What do you think about giving horses “agency,” or choice and control in their lives?
Growing interest in the topic has prompted Cornell University’s Equine Seminar Series to present “Equine Welfare and Agency: Why Choice Matters” from 6-7 p.m. Oct.. 21 on Zoom. There is no charge for the seminar, which is open to the public.
The discussion will involve common challenges, as well as opportunities, to increase agency for horses through management, training, and everyday interactions.
Speaking will be Dr. Lindsay Goodale is a senior lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in equine biology and management, domestic mammalian behavior and animal welfare. Lindsay also serves as the equine extension specialist for New York State and has developed a Horse Farm Improvement Program for equine operations.
She attended veterinary school at Cornell and graduated in 2012, returning to work at Cornell in her current role in 2017. She is pursuing board certification through the American College of Animal Welfare.
This seminar is part of the Cornell Equine Seminar Series. Please register in advance at this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 12, 2025
Riders with a Florida connection dominated the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Sunday, with the top three from a field of 157 linked to the Sunshine State.
Olivia Sweetnam, the Wellington, Fla.-based daughter of Irish team stalwart Shane Sweetnam and his wife, trainer Ali Sweetnam, took the title. She is coached by Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farm in Wellington. They also trained runner-up Parker Peacock, who was on Montverdi. Third-place Lily Epstein of Coral Gables, Fla., is coached by Ken and Emily as well, and Ali Sweetnam. She rode Charlie Brown, the best horse a week ago at the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East.
It took more than 10 hours to sort out the placings. A group of 25 riders, who included Olivia’s brother, Collin, were tested over a new course after the original group had finished performing in front of judges Ralph Caristo and Michael Tokaruk at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
The top four also included Emi Richard, who rides with New York trainer Andre Dignelli. The finalists were asked to handle yet another test, involving two counter-canters, a trot fence and a hand gallop.
Olivia was aboard Efendi, the horse Brian Moggre rode to the Medal win in 2018.
“For the first round, I just wanted a smooth, consistent round. I didn’t want many changes in pace,” said Olivia, who was quick to credit her horse.
“All three rounds actually were very suited to my horse, so I’m very thankful for that. Efendi is the best, and I knew that he was beyond capable of this. He’s done it before with different riders, so he’s really the talent in the pair.”
Of the 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Ashland Farms, Sweetnam continued, “I’ve been riding Efendi for I’d say almost two years…This is my second finals season on him, my second year at Medal Finals. He means so much to me. I’m so thankful to be able to ride him.
“This is my fourth time doing Medal Finals, I believe, and I’ve been lucky enough to have a really good go all three times,” continued Olivia, who finished fourth in 2023 and fifth in 2024.
“This is my third year in a row testing, and I’ve tragically messed up the test both other times. So I’m really happy to be able to pull it off today. I’ve been wanting to win this final for a really long time.”
Olivia’s family wrote on their Sweet Oak facebook page what the victory meant to them:
“There are not enough words to describe how special today has been for the Sweetnam Family. Years of dedication, the highs and lows, the endless hours of training—all for a dream. A dream of one day seeing your name alongside so many who have gone on to become the world’s best.
“You dream, you hope, you work relentlessly. You make mistakes, but you learn from every one. You cry, you doubt, and you wonder if you can keep going. And then one day, the dream becomes reality. The doubts fade, and every ounce of effort feels worthwhile.
“Today was that day for Olivia. We are beyond proud of you, Liv. May this be just the beginning of many more dreams fulfilled. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Ashland Farm and Sweet Oak Farm for being there every step of the way and for helping make this moment truly unforgettable.”
Medal winner Olivia Sweetnam. (Pennsylvania National Horse Show Photo)
In other action at the show, Clara Propp won the Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championship on Mistral van de Vogelzang Saturday night. Second went to Avery Griffin and Oh My Star Van Strytem. JJ Torano and Lyon 50 took home the bronze.
“My horse is absolutely incredible,” Clara said about her 13-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding, owned by Aquitaine Equine.
“I’m really happy that it all came together tonight. I feel like I’ve been working on my partnership with him for almost a year now, and tonight really solidified that. Coming into tonight, I was going in fifth, so I knew I kind of didn’t really have anything to lose. I just wanted to put down a solid, clear round and hope for the best.”
JJ was presented with the William C. Steinkraus Style of Riding Award Perpetual Trophy, donated by Karen Healey. The award recognizes the junior jumper rider who is deemed by the judges to best exemplify the American style of equitation and the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 12, 2025
From dressage through cross-country and nearly around the entire show jumping course, Will Coleman was the leader in the inaugural $200,000 U.S. Open with his trusty Off the Record.
Then the only American combination to have won eventing at Aachen toppled a rail in the B element of the triple combination that was the next-to-last obstacle on the route designed by Chris Barnard at Virginia’s Morven Park International Equestrian Center. That left the title for the first running of the event to Boyd Martin with Miks Master C, by a mere 0.4 penalties.
Boyd Martin and Miks Master C. (Photo by Devyn Trethewey/U.S. Equestrian)
Boyd, who was the leader in the series of qualifiers that led up to this weekend’s final, was fault-free over the colored poles on the Swedish warmblood, after having moved up from third to second following cross-country, where his original two flag penalties were deleted by the ground jury.
Ocala Horse Property’s Miks Master C formerly was ridden by Liz Halliday, whose mounts went to other professionals after she suffered a traumatic brain injury in a cross-country fall last year. Prior to the prize-giving, Boyd said, “I’d like to give a big shout-out to Liz, who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you’re watching, Liz. This is for you.”
Boyd mentioned, “I’d like to thank the owners of Miks Master C; they’ve experienced the highs and lows of the sport.” The horse was one of the alternates for the 2024 Olympic team, bu was injured and did not compete in the Games. So it was a big morale boost that the winner was recognized with the MARS American-Bred Talent Trophy as the top U.S.-bred horse.
As I pointed out in my Friday posting on this website, there is an abundance of events this autumn. Or maybe an over-abundance? The U.S. Open of Eventing Final ran the week before the Maryland 5-star and two weeks before the Pau, France, 5-star. Next month, there’s the 4-Star Long at TerraNova near Sarasota, Fla.
But understandably, since he collected the majority of the U.S. Open’s prize money, Boyd is a big fan of the U..S. Open’s creation.
“It made no sense for me or this country to send all of our horses over to Europe to compete at 4-Star Long when we’ve got the greatest 4-Star Long in the world, ” he explained, citing great conditions at Morven Park as well as “unbelievable” prize money and a very, very competitive field” and a challenging course. He maintained the event “has taken our sport to a whole new level,” noting “This is a wonderful time to be a professional event rider in the United States of America.”
Will Coleman and Off the Record at the fence where a downed rail dropped them to second place.
U.S. Open winner Boyd Martin, right, and runner-up Will Coleman,, left.
There were only two people on the podium at the event, because Will finished not just in second place, but also third with his up-and-coming mare, Very Dignified, owned by the Very Dignified Group.
Miks Master C and the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record were the only horses in the 20s in terms of penalties at the end of the event (28.7 and 29.1 respectively) but Very Dignified finished on 35.4 penalties and Boyd was right behind in fourth on Shanroe Cooley (35.9), another former Liz Halliday mount.
Boyd noted that getting a new horse, “like the two I’m riding and Will’s second horse, you’re basically relying a lot on its past training with its last rider.
“It’s easier in a way,” he continued, “because you don’t have baggage about the horse and you just get on with it. You don’t have a preconception of its flaws, weaknesses or bad habits. You try and simplify it as much as you can and ride it in probably a different system or a different style. Sometimes they really come around and jell, and sometimes it’s an absolute disaster.
“Lucky for me, the horses from Liz (a group that also includes Cooley Nutcracker)…I’ve sort of clicked with them. They’re still not quite my horses. There are some slight differences in our training or our system or our way of riding, but they’re all champions.”
Referring to Will’s mishap at the triple, Boyd said of his victory, “”It’s a bit of an awkward way to win,” expressing sympathy for the runner-up and his “legend horse.”
Will responded in his usual gracious manner: “Boyd is an incredibly worthy and deserving winner. Boyd absolutely won the weekend.”
Click here for full results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 11, 2025
Will Coleman made Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course look easy (even though it wasn’t) as the rider and his veteran, Off the Record, were able to hold their lead from dressage during the debut of the U.S. Open of Eventing Final.
Timmy, as the horse is known, simply sailed around the 4-Star Long route at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Virginia Saturday adding nothing to his 25.1 penalty score from Friday as he finished a comfortable six seconds within the optimum time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds. Will had two fences in hand going into Sunday’s show jumping, with Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo moving up from eighth after dressage to second on a score of 33.5, which included two time penalties aboard Kitsch Couture HBK.
Lucienne Bellissimo and Kitsch Couture HBK. (U.S. Eventing Photo)
But then the ground jury reversed two flag penalties on Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday’s former ride, Miks Master C, putting them second on 28.7 penalties and moving Lucienne down to third. Boyd was also in the top 10 with his other mount, Shanroe Cooley, eighth on 35.9 with 6.8 time penalties. This horse also previously was competed by Liz, who is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury she suffered in a fall last year.
Will believes it’s Timmy’s first time at Morven, so the rider admitted he was “sort of shooting from the hip” in his approach to the challenge of the day.
Will Coleman and Off the Record in front of the Morven Park Mansion. (Photo Devyn Trethewey for U.S. Equestrian)
“I don’t really think I got it right,” he mused.
“I got down here a little too early. He left the start box, he was just a freight train for the first three or four minutes. He’s such a good boy. It doesn’t really matter, it seems, how good our approach is, he just finds a way through the flags. He’s an amazing horse, he knows his job and sometimes I really, truly feel like I’m just a passenger.”
Will also moved up to sixth from seventeenth after dressage with the promising mare Very Dignified, who had no time penalties in her score of 35.4.
“I’m thrilled for Dora and her supporters. It’s been sort of a slow process with her to this point. I always targeted this as our step up. She’s not the kind of horse you pull the trigger on every weekend, but I decided we would do it today. She was amazing. I’d never really opened her up before She really goes, but she’s another one that just seems to fight for it. She’ll get better, she needs to get a little more rideable, but she’s a lovely mare.”
Aside from the leader, the only other rider who finished within the time was Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Double Sixteen, who rose to fifth from seventeenth and is on 25.2 penalties. So it’s a very tight race at the top.
Phillip Dutton, who had a fall earlier in the day with Possante, bounced back during the afternoon on Denim to stand fourth, just 0.4 penalties back of Lucienne. Sharon White, second after dressage with Claus 63, had a refusal at the second part of the Park Question obstacle to drop to eleventh on 49.6 penalties.
Phillip Dutton and Denim. (U.S. Eventing Photo)
Click here for cross-country results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 8, 2025
There are doomsayers in the horse world who believe the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be the last to offer equestrian sports.
But I always have disagreed. The 2032 Games are in Australia, which has won many Olympic medals in eventing, so I believe horse sports will continue to be part of the Games four years after LA. (I’m less optimistic about 2036).
To bolster my viewpoint, the Brisbane Olympic Games Organizing committee visited Toowoomba this month after it was named a potential host for the equestrian events. Officials praised its facilities and potential, while Toowoomba organizers hope their site will be selected, although there won’t be a decision until 2026. Approval must come not only from the organizing committee, but also the International Olympic Committee and the FEI.
The Toowoomba Showgrounds, about 130 kilometers from Brisbane, were chosen as the proposed venue at the beginning of 2025. According to Inside the Games, Mayor Geoff McDonald proposed building a passenger rail link between Toowoomba and Brisbane as a legacy of the Games. That could strengthen the city’s case and increase its chances of being confirmed as an Olympic venue. The International Olympic Committee loves legacy projects. The rail line would facilitate travel for athletes and delegations and become a valuable and potentially profitable infrastructure after the Games.
Leading the visit was Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris, who expressed optimism about final approval.
“I see no barriers to making this a reality,” Liveris commented.
Australian Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Game Tim Mander also was confident Toowoomba would be approved.
“The showgrounds were built for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s the perfect location, and we know they’ll be here,” he said.
Although the Toowoomba Showgrounds have not hosted international events, they have held major state-level competitions, such as the Equestrian Queensland Interschool State Championships in 2024. More than 250 riders and 330 horses took part in disciplines including dressage, showjumping, showing and eventing.
This year, Toowoomba hosted the State Jumping, Equitation and Showjumping Championships, organized by the West Toowoomba Pony Club. In 2017, the venue hosted the Australian Interschool Championships, a national school-level competition.
