‘Scotty’s Farewell’, the final fence on course designer extraordinaire Ian Stark’s final course. Photo via CrossCountryApp.
Though the field for this year’s edition of Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill may be but little, it is fierce. We truly are in for an exciting time out on Ian Stark’s final cross country offering. There’s 5* winners, waterfalls to be jumped through (really), and big hitters galore. Here’s some of the horses and riders we’ve got to look forward to as we take to the track for cross country day:
The leaders going into today prompted a standing ovation from the dressage crowd when they delivered the goods and then some. Doing it for the US, Tamie Smith and Mai Baum head this mighty field going into the cross country phase and Tamie’ll be putting it all out there for a result befitting of her Kentucky 2023 winner as he takes to the 5* stage for the final time.
Another big hitter for the home crowd comes in the form of two rides for Boyd Martin. He’ll get a feel for the course with 5* debutant Commando 3, who secured 7th place after the dressage, before coming back for another spin with his old pal Tsetserleg TSF, who produced a lovely test to start today in 5th place.
Keep an eye out for exciting young US talent Cosby Green who led the competition after the first day of dressage with 5* first-timer Highly Suspicious. They’re a little under three points behind the lead in 6th as we head into cross country.
There’s no denying that a very strong British contingent has descended on Maryland. Over from the UK, Kentucky 2024 champ Oliver Townend brings forward his 5* superstar Ballaghmor Class. With two Burghley titles and the Kentucky crown on his card, Oliver will be looking to add yet another excellent result to this gelding’s truly impressive record and he’s started off in fine style, just 1.2 points behind the leader – equivalent to three seconds of cross country time – and in second spot as things stand.
Another Brit taking on Maryland, Bubby Upton bounced back with a bang when she took the overnight lead at Badminton this spring heading into the cross country with Cola. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be but Bubby was delighted with her smart gelding nonetheless and will no doubt be hunting out the big result she believes he deserves this time around. She’s not done her chances any harm thus far and currently sits in 3rd, just 0.2 points – not even a second – behind Oliver.
British-based Kiwi eventer Tim Price is also in the mix in 4th place with previous 5* winner and individual 6th place finisher at the Paris Olympics Falco.
Oh, I could continue on all the way through the field, because they are all surely in it to win it, but the start box beckons and so I’ll direct you to EN’s fabulous form guide for the low down on every single competitor we’ll see today.
I’ll be bringing you live updates of all the cross country action right here and if you want to watch along too, ClipMyHorseTV is the place to be (subscription required) or click here to find out how to watch the regional broadcast.
Before we get down to business, here’s where to catch-up with all that went down in the dressage – [Day 1] [Day 2] – and a reminder of the leaderboard as things stand:
1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Tamie Smith and Mai Baum lead the charge on a score of 25.3.
2️⃣ 🇬🇧 Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class had to settle for second with a score of 26.5.
3️⃣ 🇬🇧 Bubby Upton and Cola round out the top three on a score of 26.7.
You’ll find the full scoreboard right here.
While you’re eagerly awaiting the first countdown of the day, feast your eyes on all of EN’s Maryland content and mosey on along to our IG account for even more @goeventing.
❗Pop Quiz ❗ What’s the first rule of live updates? Refresh, refresh, refresh if you want to keep up with live updates.
The live blog will begin proper at 1:40pm ET when Britain’s Harry Meade and Away Cruising will get the 5* cross country underway.
If you’re reading this after the event, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️.
Let’s go eventing!
MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]
Our coverage of the MARS Maryland 5 Star is brought to you by our incredible supporters, Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional products to keep your horse feeling their best at all times. They’ll even get on the phone with you to help you formulate a solid supplementation plan for your horse’s individual needs! We’d really appreciate your support of KPP, as they’re champions for our sport and beyond and are wonderful people to boot. Check them out here.
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3:50pm
Boy oh boy! So that was, um, challenging. Lots of problems out on course and a real shake up of the leaderboard.
Here’s a quick look at the top three after today’s cross country action:
1️⃣ 🇬🇧 Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class
2️⃣ 🇬🇧 David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed
3️⃣ 🇳🇿 Tim Price and Falco
Click here for the full scoreboard.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow… all eight (!) cross country finishers will show jump for the Maryland 5 Star 2024 crown.
Watch the finale from 2pm EST / 8pm CEST on ClipMyHorseTV (subscription required) or click here to find out how to watch the regional broadcast and keep eyes on EN for our classic round-up report.
If you need more, like, right now, click here for all of EN’s Maryland coverage.
Just one more 5* cross country day to look forward to before we hunker down to watch replays all winter and it’s happening next week. I’ll be back with a live blog from Pau, but for now, that’s all folks. Go eventing!
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3:39pm
🇨🇦 FINAL COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Coleen Loach and FE Golden Eye
Dressage Score: 34.1
Place: 14th
Coleen and FE Golden Eye have the course to themselves to close out the competition for today. They got off to a nice start and Coleen gives this gelding a great ride through the double of rails at 6AB along that tricky line. Unfortunately things don’t work out so well for them at the sunken road in 7ABCD. They jump in well but then he scoots out of the side of the skinny rails at the D element. We have seen this horse have a 20 in that way before. Oh goodness, he jumps right up and down over the canoe at 9A into the second water, but then he’s brave through the keyhole with the waterfall at the B element. Oh, there’s more problems at the coffin question at 12ABCD. He has a quiet jump in and a green jump over the ditch. He kind of comes to a halt at the log at the top of the hill at the C element. Colleen comes back round through and continues on. This horse is actually jumping great and this will be a good education for him.
OK, they’re at fence 17. They take the long route and they’re clear!
Someone in the crowd yells, “Keep going Coleen!”.
They arrive at the MARS Sustainability Bay and the bounce is just a step too far for this horse right now. That’s elimination for them and a walk home.
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3:32pm
🇬🇧 PENULTIMATE COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz
Dressage Score: 33.6
Place: 12th
Harry and this 5* debutant get off to a great start. The horse backs off the water a little at 9A which actually helps Harry to pick up a great stride to the waterfall at B. They jump into the coffin question at 12ABCD really nicely but then the horse looks a little green as he makes his way through and it all comes to a head at the D element. Harry’s popped out of the side door. Oh dear, not the trip to the States Harry would have wanted at all.
Unfortunately we pick up Jessie and Wabbit having troubles. There’s a broken frangible device at the rails going into the coffin question at 12A and things go awry for them. Jessie puts her hand up before the log at the C element.
Tim crosses the line with 7.2 time penalties. Although he looked quick, Falco’s enthusiastic jump will have cost them some seconds. He goes into third behind Oliver Townend and David Doel.
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3:27pm
🇨🇦 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit
Dressage Score: 41.4
Place: 21st
We don’t get to see Jessie and Wabbit at the start of their round but they’re clear through fence 10.
Tim and Falco clear fence 17 – the most influential fences on the course. No question at all about that for them. He goes long through fence 18. They’re flying along towards MARS Sustainability Bay at 20 and 21. They’re clever through there, very good footwork from this keen and enthusiastic horse. So positive and a real partnership on show. Falco’s full of running and charging for home. Will he go into the lead?
Jennie and Twilightslastgleam cross the finish line just 7 seconds over with just that question mark over the flag at 17.
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3:22pm
🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tim Price and Falco
Dressage Score: 27.4
Place: 4th
Woah, Tim sets out quick. He’s got a shot at going into the lead. He’s smooth as silk through the combination at 5 in the main arena. Oh my! Falco is athletic through the sunken road at 7ABCD. He absolutely gives it everything he’s got through there, almost doing a handstand in the bounce on the way out. How did Tim stay in the plate? Awesome from the pair of them. This horse is jumping for joy.
We rejoin Jennie at the Sawmill Slices fence at 17 and she clearly takes the flag. There’s a definite question mark for them there. They continue on though and we see them making a great job of the rollercoaster combination at 25ABCD.
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3:16pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam
Dressage Score: 34.5
Place: 16th
Jennie sure looks like she’s set out to make the time as she heads out of the startbox. Jennie gives this gelding a beautiful ride through the main arena, so smooth and fast, very impressive.
We pick up Ema and Bronte Beach heading towards fence 17. She’s over clear. And 18. Also clear. Go Ema! She’ll be glad to get those Sawmill Slices fences behind her. This lovely mare is really jumping well and Ema’s giving her a very sympathetic ride. Ohhh! Ema’s trying for the save of the day, but, oh no, she can’t manage it. She’s popped right out of the saddle over the angled brush at 21C, she tries to aim for 22, which is on a related distance, but no one could have pulled themselves up from there. What a shame for Ema after such a great start. All looks to be fine though and Bronte Beach gallops on down the track.
News in, Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg have withdrawn following Boyd’s tumble earlier with Commando 3.
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3:12pm
🇦🇺 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach Z
Dressage Score: 35.6
Place: 18th
Just five more combinations to start now.
We don’t see the start of their round but they’re clear through to fence 9 and we pick them up at the second water at 9AB. They look good through there.
We join Joe at the influential fence 17 and it’s a drive by for them and they pick up 20 penalties. He goes around for the long route and jumps through really nicely. Unfortunately we see them retire at MARS Sustainability Bay, fence 20AB.
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3:04pm
🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Joe Meyer and Harbin
Dressage Score: 43.7
Place: 22nd
Oh this horse is so fun to watch, so quick and snappy. He’s really loving his job as he sets off for his spin. He clears fences 1 to 8 although we sadly don’t get to see him as the focus is on the, now, leaders, Oliver and Ballagmor Class.
Meanwhile, Ballaghmor Class has got his head very much in the game. He’s phenomenal through the coffin question at 12ABCD and fly on up the hill. The influential fence 17 next for them. Hold your breath. Oliver makes it happen over there and then decides to go long at 18. Smart decision and safely through. Oh my! We get an overhead view of the Foxcatcher Flyer at 24 – it’s enormous and Ballaghmor Class shows every inch of his class and scope over there. Superb. They navigate the rollercoaster combination at 25ABCD and they’re heading for home. They’re not going to make the time but they won’t be too far off. They clear the scotty dog at the final fence and come through the finish flags 12 seconds over the time. They’re in the lead but don’t have a fence in hand tomorrow over the current second place combination, David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed.
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2:59pm
🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class
Dressage Score: 26.5
Place: 2nd
Joining the overnight leaders on course, Oliver and ‘Thomas’ are currently sitting in second and looking for yet another top placing at the level. They squeak through the combination in the main arena, adding strides all the way but making it happen. They are superb through the sunken road at 7ABCD. Oliver’s got his game face on.
Tamie’s lost a pedal as we see her over fence 14 but she picks it back up as she heads on up the hill. She gives him a little nudge as she turns towards fence 17 but no, Mai Baum’s not locked on, he’s not going and Tamie edges past it and puts up her hand. That’s really sad to see, but Tamie was clearly listening to her horse and he owes her, and the sport, absolutely nothing. What a star he is and will always be so, no matter what happened here.
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2:55pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tamie Smith and Mai Baum
Dressage Score: 25.3
Place: 1st
And here are our dressage leaders, on course for their last hurrah. Go Lexus, do your thang! They have a classic start to their round, bold and beautiful, and full of enthusiasm for the job. They get a superb shot over the A element of fence 5 in the main arena and Tamie aims slightly to the outside to make sure she’s on the turning line. They make absolutely nothing of the fences in there and then make the really tricky turn between the timber rails at 6AB look so smooth. The sunken road at 7 is basically a schooling exercise for them and Mai Baum gives us a masterclass through the second water at 9AB – he didn’t even notice the waterfall. What a start for this pair.
Bubby Upton has crossed the finish line carrying just the 11 penalties for the broken frangible device. Bubby looks delighted with her horse.
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2:50pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl
Dressage Score: 31.9
Place: 10th
We see Tiana and Cancaras Girl make nothing of the Locust Log Pond at 3AB before things really don’t go to plan in the main arena. Cancaras Girl runs out at the A element of the combination at 5 and then stops at the C element. Tiana puts her hand up and calls it a day.
we rejoin Bubby and Cola. They break the frangible device on the rails at 12A going into the coffin complex. That’s so disappointing for them. They continue on but things go slightly awry at 13B and they pick up a flag question there. They circle before fence 14 which is related by separately numbered but Bubby’s still riding with everything she’s got.
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2:45pm
🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Bubby Upton and Cola
Dressage Score: 26.7
Place: 3rd
This pair were sitting in third after the dressage and Bubby will be gunning for a fast clear to stay there, or perhaps sneak up the leaderboard. There’s everything to play for!
Bubby sure means business as she sets off out of the start box. Will she deliver our first, for sure without flag penalties, clear round? They make nothing of the first combination at 3AB and Bubby gives Cola a pat as he gallops on up the hill towards the main arena. They make the turn real smoothly into the A element and picks up the three strides to B. She has to really hold Cola back for the four to the final element which just shows the scope of this horse as it’s actually quite long in there. She’s riding beautifully and really encouraging her horse with lots of pats at the early part of the course. They make the sunken road at 7 look like a schooling exercise. They’re very impressive so far and Cola is ears pricked and hunting out those flags.
News on flag questions: David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed have had their penalties taken away, so it’s a clear – well – inside the time for them.
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2:37pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Boyd Martin and Commando 3
Dressage Score: 28.3
Place: 7th
Boyd took a tumble in the 3* earlier but was cleared by the doctor to ride in the 5*. He gets off to a nice start but then there’s a small mistake at the log into the water at 3A and they take a tumble. Commando’s straight up on his feet and galloping off and Boyd gets up quickly too. He walks off course and is helped to get his air vest off. They were held for quite a while at the start, and it was a first 5* for this horse, but really, it was just a tiny error and they’ll be back out for another go on another day.
We’ll have a little wait for the next to go.
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2:30pm
We’re back underway with a runout for Lindsay and Bacyrouge at fence 17 – such an influential fence on this course. We still have no clears so far – there’s a couple of question marks over flags, which may change that, but so far, so eventful at Maryland 5*.
Linday continues on, looking for an educational run now after that 20, and come down the hill to the ditch and arrowhead at 24 and oh, the horse just doesn’t lock on at all. He wiggles coming down the slope and goes out to the right. Lindsay puts her hand up.
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2:24pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Allie Knowles and Morswood
Dressage Score: 32.4
Place: 11th
Oh dear, it’s early troubles for Allie and ‘Ginge’ at fence 5 in the main arena. Allie decides to put her hand up. That’s a surprise and a shame.
Lindsay’s being held on course with Bacyrouge at fence 16. Grace Taylor had a rider fall at the Foxcatcher Flyer, fence 24 (which we didn’t see on screen), and there’s a stop on course while the fence is repaired. The fence in the main arena is also being attended to.
So there’ll be a short break while we wait for things to get back underway.
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2:19pm
🇨🇦 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge
Dressage Score: 30.7
Place: 8th
We see her make a great job of the sunken road at 7ABCD and then gallop on along her way. They continue on clear through fence 15.
The Sawmill Slices angled brush at 17 continues to be a tricky fence to get through the flags at. Grace and Game Changer have a question mark there and go through the long route at 18 – it’s a related fence but separately numbered. They continue on but then are eliminated at fence 24, the ditch and arrowhead Foxcatcher Flyer.
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2:13pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Grace Taylor and Game Changer
Dressage Score: 34.1
Place: 14th
Game Changer looks very game at the start of the course, jumping right out of Grace’s hand in the main arena. Wow, he’s keen.
Buck has a moment at the corner at 14 and there’s a question mark over whether he was quite inside the flags. Sorocaima is looking very, very strong. There’s another wiggle at the Sawmill Slices at 17, again because Sorocaima is so keen. It’s heart in mouth stuff as he comes to MARS Sustainability Bay at 20 and 21 as the horse seems to be quite tricky to steer right now, but they make their way through there brilliantly. Things don’t get any easier for them though as the martingale has snapped and is flapping between Sorocaima’s legs. Ooo, it’s hairy at the rollercoaster fence at 25ABCD. This has not been an easy ride for Buck, but Sorocaima sure does look like he’s having a great time.
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2:07pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Buck Davidson and Sorocaima
Dressage Score: 34
Place: 13th
We’re still looking for our first clear round. Who will do it?
Buck and Sorocaima really take on the big brushes in the main arena at 5, the horse is really brave there and looks very keen to get on with the job.
We rejoin David Doel at a hairy moment when Galileo seems to run out of his shoulder at the Sawmill Slices at 18A, but David’s got his leg clamped on and they squirrel through the flags, just about, maybe… There’s a question mark on the live scores for them there. They continue on and boy, are they quick. David ducks through the keyholes at the penultimate fence and then they fly to the finish. They cross the flags 24 seconds inside the time! I told you this pair were speedy! But there are flag question marks for 17 and 18A. I’ll update you on that as soon as I have the information.
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2:02pm
🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed
Dressage Score: 34.5
Place: 16th
This horse is super quick and really shows that at the beginning of the course. We see them make nothing of the water at 9AB, through the waterfall and on with his round.
Oh dear, Cosby and Highly Suspicious have had a problem at the coffin question at 12. They pick up two refusals at the C element, the big log on the hill. It’s a first 5* for this horse though and they’ll be picking up lots of valuable experience. They come back round and clear it. But the problems continue at fence 17 and their competition ends early with elimination after incurring another refusal there.
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1:54pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Cosby Green and Highly Suspicious
Dressage Score: 28
Place: 6th
Cosby and Highly Suspicious get off to a fine start and look total class at the start of their round. They fly through the combination at fence 5ABC in the main arena and gallop out onto course. The horse puts in a clever trot step into the sunken road at 7ABCD and they pick their way through there very neatly.
Meanwhile, Emily and Barry are clear through MARS Sustainability Bay at 21 and 22 but oh no! It’s a late 20 for them as Barry drives by the D element at 25 – he was just running on down the hill. Such a shame for them.
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1:49pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Emily Hamel and Corvett
Dressage Score: 36.2
Place: 19th
We get to see ‘Barry’ soar over the first fence – Corvett Airlines is in the house – before we rejoing Lillian and Barnaby. Wow! Barnaby shows none of his 18 years as he absolutely flies the big brush corner at 14. Go Barnaby! They make the gallop uphill and Barnaby makes nothing of the galloping fences as he heads toward the Sawmill Slices at 17 and 18AB. They take the flag at 17 and then, ooo, there’s a real squiggle from Barnaby over 18A and the flag goes there too. There’s question marks for both of those on the live scoring. They continue on through MARS Sustainability Bay at 20AB and 21ABC and Barnaby really does look fabulous through there – full of running and loving his job.
We haven’t seen Corvett but I can tell you that he’s clear through fence 11.
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1:46pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby
Dressage Score: 38.6
Place: 20th
We don’t see much of Barnaby at the start of his round unfortunately, but he’s clear through the sunken road at 7ABCD.
We see Harry make the coffin question at 12ABCD look like a schooling exercise and then gallop on heading uphill towards the palisade at 15. They’re having a great spin. Away Cruising has a look out the right hand door at the Sawmill Slices at 17 and 18AB – they jump across the water there, rather than into it. Harry comes to the MARS Sustainability Bay at 20AB and Harry obviously feels something amiss. He quickly pulls up and gets off. We’ll update you with any details we get later but Away Cruising was walking alongside Harry.
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1:40pm
🇬🇧 FIRST HORSE OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade and Away Cruising
Dressage Score: 31.2
Place: 9th
We’re up and running at Maryland 5 Star and what a beautiful day it is.
One of the riders who’s made the trip from the UK, this experienced combination won’t be daunted by taking on the trailblazer role today. They fly out of the start and Away Cruising looks very keen at the start of the course. He sees a stride a mile away at the second fence and really get us off to an exciting start. They make nothing of the first combination out on course at fence 3, also the first water, splashing through there and galloping on. They head up the hill and into the main arena for the triple combination. They hit the stride between the first two elements perfectly and then Away Cruising streeeeetches over the wide brush at C. They’re looking very impressive thus far. Harry sets up for the tricky line through the timber rails at 6AB and they squeeze their way through. They get a perfect shot through the sunken road at 7ABCD. They’re making this course look easy, but don’t be fooled, it sure isn’t. Away Cruising jumps for joy over the open oxer over a ditch at 8 and then we get the first look at the waterfall jump at 9AB. No worries for this seasoned pair, although to be fair, Away Cruising will be used to jumping in the rain coming from the UK. A superb start to the competition so far!
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MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]
Our coverage of the MARS Maryland 5 Star is brought to you by our incredible supporters, Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional products to keep your horse feeling their best at all times. They’ll even get on the phone with you to help you formulate a solid supplementation plan for your horse’s individual needs! We’d really appreciate your support of KPP, as they’re champions for our sport and beyond and are wonderful people to boot. Check them out here.
