Oliver Townend of Great Britain emerged victorious at the MARS Maryland 5 Star event, riding Ballaghmor Class to a mistake-free show jumping round and securing a final score of 31.3 penalties. This marks Townend’s ninth five-star win, placing him among the best in the sport’s history. Three-time Olympic veteran Tim Price of New Zealand finished second, while David Doel of Great Britain and Buck Davidson of the USA claimed third and fourth place, respectively.
In the CCI3*-L competition, Sharon White of the U.S. Team, who won silver at the 2023 Pan American Games, clinched the top spot with her mare, Jaguars Duende. Sara Schulman and Will Coleman followed closely behind in second and third place. Among the Canadian participants, Mégane Sauve was the only one to complete the competition with Nuance, finishing in 21st place out of 54 starters.
Course designer Ian Stark announced his retirement from course design after this event, which featured a challenging course with a low completion rate and a tough cross-country phase. Riders faced a demanding test of skill and endurance, with only 15% successfully finishing within the optimum time and 53% achieving a faultless round. The event was made possible by sponsors MARS Equestrian™ and Brown Advisory, and received praise from participants, officials, and fans for its exceptional organization.
The MARS Maryland 5 Star event showcased top-level competition and demonstrated the dedication and talent of riders from around the world. Townend’s victory and White’s triumph highlight the excellence and sportsmanship inherent in the equestrian community.
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Photo credit horsesport.com
