Overnight leaders Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent come into the final phase in pole position. Photo by Sally Spickard.
And so we find ourselves on the final day of competition at Maryland 5 Star, on the edge of our seats as we wait to find out who will be crowned this year’s champion.
And what a competition it’s been thus far!
We saw 26 competitors start the competition, a seemingly small field perhaps, but with 26 5* wins between them, it sure was mighty.
The dressage saw the Brits rise to the top and it was a British 1, 2, 3 after the first phase.
World No. 1 Oliver Townend and the youngest horse in the field Cooley Rosalent placed themselves in pole position on a score of 23.1, Piggy March and 5* debutant Brookfield Cavalier Cruise sat in second on 24.2, and William Fox-Pitt was third with Grafennacht on 26.1.
The international flavor didn’t end there, with New Zealand’s Monica Spencer sitting in fourth with Artist on 28.4.
Best of the Americans was Boyd Martin with Contessa, who put down a PB and found themselves headed out onto cross country in fifth place.
Catch up on all that went down in the sandpit with our round-up reports – Day One / Day Two.
And then came the excitement of the cross country.
Oliver managed to hang onto his lead, but Piggy slipped down to fifth after a lovely clear round but some time penalties. That left the door open for William to take second place overnight. Time penalties saw Monica drop down into ninth and Boyd’s competition ended early after a tumble at the third fence.
Mia Farley and Phelps had the fastest round of the day – the only clear inside the the time – on their debut at the level, ending up best of the Americans in third place. Ireland’s Austin O’Connor was also on the rise with Colorado Blue, after trailblazing their way to a fast – albeit not quite inside the time – clear, and put themselves into fourth place.
Read our full round-up of all the cross country action here.
There was a change at the top of the leaderboard this morning when Piggy March withdrew Brookfield Cavalier Cruise at the Second Horse Inspection. Find out what happened here.
Fourteen horses and riders will be coming forward for the show jumping this afternoon. Here’s a look at the leaderboard as we move into the final phase:
There’s less than a fence between the top three, and it goes without saying that faults today will make all the difference to the leaderboard, as will clear rounds. It’s all to play for at Maryland 5 Star!
The riders will come forward in reverse order, with Bobby Meyerhoff and Lumumba kicking things off at 2:37pm ET / 7:37pm BST.
If you’re reading this later, the round-up of Bobby and Lumumba’s test will be at the bottom of this post, so if you’re of the variety that likes to keep things in order, scroll down ⬇️ and read up ⬆️ – if you’re happy to go backwards through the drawn order, then have at it from the top.
If you’re live with us, don’t forget to refresh this post periodically.
We’ve got loads of great IG content happening courtesy of our team on the ground @goeventing, and if you want to follow along with the form, you’ll find EN’s 5* Form Guide here. There’s SO MUCH Maryland content just waiting for you to dive into – have at it here.
Who will take the Maryland 5 Star crown? It all comes down to this!
MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries, Schedule & Times] [Live Scores] [Live Stream (North America)] [Live Stream (Outside North America)] [Tickets] [5* Form Guide] [Digital Program] [EN’s Coverage]
EN’s coverage of MARS Maryland 5 Star is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products.
3:57pm
So that’s it! Maryland 5 Star is over. What a ride it’s been!
A quick look at the placings:
1st Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue.
2nd Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht.
3rd Britain’s Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent.
4th Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M for the USA, the best of the Americans.
5th Mia Farley and Phelps, also for the USA, who complete their first 5* in 5th place.
We’ve seen some super sport over the last few days and I feel so privileged to have been able to watch such talent truly shine. Eventing really is The. Best. Sport.
But we’re not finished with you just yet. We’ll have a full round-up coming at you shortly, so stay tuned for that.
Thanks for joining us for this awesome event ENers, y’all rock!
That’s it for live updates – until next week, when we move on to the second of our related-distance 5*s. Keep it locked onto EN and go eventing!
MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries, Schedule & Times] [Live Scores] [Live Stream (North America)] [Live Stream (Outside North America)] [Tickets] [5* Form Guide] [Digital Program] [EN’s Coverage]
EN’s coverage of MARS Maryland 5 Star is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products.
3:55pm
Austin tells Frankie, “People like me are not supposed to win five-stars”. But he has won one, and won it in fine, fine style. Austin modestly credits his horse for everything – Salty, you are a star!
3:54pm
Spencer’s crying in the commentary box, Austin’s crying as he’s congratulated, Team EN are for sure crying too. What a result for Austin! It’s 58 years since an Irish rider won a 5*. What an achievement. So well deserved for both horse and rider.
3:52pm
IRELAND’S AUSTIN O’CONNOR WINS MARYLAND WITH COLORADO BLUE!!!
3:46pm
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS! Will Oliver take the title? Hold your breath, we’re about to see!
World No. 1 Oliver Townend has made his way over from Great Britain with Cooley Rosalent for the mare’s second 5* start.
They kicked their competition off in style with a dressage score of 23.1 which put them into the lead going into the cross country. They added 6 time faults yesterday in a round that showed just how much potential and talent this mare truly has. They come forward – currently still in the lead – on a score of 29.1.
According to form, it’ll be one or none for Cooley Rosalent. Will they hang on and take the win? I almost can’t watch! But I will! Here goes…
Oliver’s clear over the first three, then rubs an element of the double, it stays in the cups though. They continue on clear. But then the last part of the treble goes. He can’t afford another one. But the planks go. That’s it. Two is too many to hold his place. Cooley Rosalent clears the rest and they’re inside the time, but what a shame for this lovely mare. Her day will come though, for sure. They’ll finish 3rd.
Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent finish their Maryland with a total score of 37.1.
3:43pm
The penultimate round of Maryland 5 Star!
British eventing legend William Fox-Pitt comes to Maryland with the Grafenstolz mare Grafennacht.
They kicked off their competition with a dressage score of 26.1 which put them in 3rd place going into the cross country. They added 5.2 time penalties yesterday after a classy clear, and come forward into the final phase on a total score of 31.3 in 2nd place.
This phase is known to be Lillie’s achilles heel, with twelve faults on the final day at Badminton in the spring dropping them down the order. They were jumping on grass that day though. They jumped clear last time out, and there’s no better rider in the saddle than William. Will they keep hold of their second place? Hang onto your hats!
William doesn’t have a pole in hand stay ahead of Austin, who’s currently sitting in 3rd. They’re clear the first and second, and now the third. He gives the first part of the double a little tap but it stays up. Lillie gives more space to the next couple of fences and tries so hard over the first Liverpool. Oh no, the first part of the treble at 9 goes. The planks stay up, the second Liverpool is no problem. He rubs the second last but it stays up. It’s clear over the last and inside the time. Just the one but it’s one too many to stay ahead of Austin. He’s now 3rd, with Austin in 2nd.
William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht finish their Maryland with a total score of 35.3.
3:40pm
Three to go!
Mia Farley and Phelps are making their 5* debut here at Maryland. And what a debut it is!
They scored 32.9 in the dressage, then showed everyone how it’s done on the cross country, delivering the fastest round of the day – the only combination INSIDE THE TIME. There were tears, and celebrations, but now it’s back down to business. They come forward with nothing added to their dressage score – 32.9 in 3rd place, and best of the Americans.
They’ve had at least three poles in their last three international competitions, but they can keep it to one and have gone clear too. Hold your breath…
Things are getting exciting now! Mia’s top three, will she stay there? They’re clear over the first three, but then the first part of the double goes. Mia’s riding brilliantly, and they continue on clear over the next couple. They’re a little close to fence 8 and it comes down, but clear through the treble. There’s no more trouble for them though and they finish up with just the two down, and inside the time. That’s a great showing for them. A first 5* completion and they’ll finish no worse than 5th. GREAT JOB Mia!
Mia Farley and Phelps complete their first 5* on 40.9.
3:37pm
Ireland’s Austin O’Connor has made the trip to Maryland with Colorado Blue for the gelding’s fifth 5* start.
‘Salty’ scored 33.7 on Thursday, and a super trailblazing round saw them add just 1.2 time penalties yesterday. They come into today’s final phase in 4th place on a score of 34.9.
They had two poles at Badminton in the spring on their way to a third place finish, but they can go clear on their day. It was muddy at Badminton, it’s definitely not at Maryland. Will today be their day?
Salty touches the second but it’s nothing to worry about. A little rub at fence 3, and again at the double, but Salty starts to pick his feet up and FLIES the first Liverpool. The crowd are loving this! The treble stays up, he rubs the planks but they stay. Austin’s riding his luck but it’s coming up good for him. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME! Austin’s delighted, so is Salty, the crowd is going wild! They’ll be no worse than 4th.
Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue finish their Maryland with a total score of 34.9.
3:34pm
And we’re down to the top 5!
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M are here for their second 5* trip together.
They scored 32.4 in the dressage, with 7.2 time penalties added on the cross country. That means they come forward in 5th place on a total score of 39.6.
They were clear in their last international run, but lowered one pole in the 4*-S at Kentucky in the spring and one in their run before that. There are lots of clears on their record though and it would be great to see ‘Chito’ leave the poles up today.
Chito is beautifully turned out today, wow he looks impressive as he enters the ring! They clear the first and second easily, a very nice start. They’re clear through the double at 4 with so much air over those poles. The first Liverpool is no problem and they stand well off 8 but clear it. They’re clear over the treble, and rub the next but it stays up. They’re tight on the clock, but it’s a CLEAR ROUND! 0.4 time for them, but a superb round. They’re in the lead for now and will finish no worse than 5th.
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M finish on 40.
3:31pm
New Zealand’s Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier come to Maryland for their third time at the top level, after finishing fifth on the mare’s 5* debut at Pau last season.
They posted 29 in the first phase, and added 12.8 time on the cross country after a great round for this lovely mare. They come forward on a total score of 41.8 in 6th place.
‘Cav’ has more clear rounds than poles down on her record, and kept the poles in the cups last time out on her way to winning at Ballindenisk in Ireland. Will it be another clear for her today?
They clear the first and second, and then manage the related line to fence 3. They clear the double and are very careful over the upright at 5. Cav is jumping beautifully. She continues on her careful way, and are clear with three left to jump. Clear over the second last. And clear over the last! CLEAR ROUND! Just a smidge over the time, 0.8 faults. They stay ahead though and will finish no worse than 6th.
Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier finish up with a three-phase score of 42.6.
3:28pm
Getting us back underway are New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist, who made the trip to the Northern Hemisphere a few weeks ago in preparation for their second 5* start. They’re on track for their first top-level completion here this weekend after a great showing in the first two phases.
They scored 28.4 on the first day of competition, which left them in fourth place, but 15.2 time penalties on yesterday’s cross country dropped them down into 7th, on a total score of 43.6.
Artist jumped clear on US soil in his last international competition, but lowered three poles at Pratoni. Before that he’d had a run of three clear rounds. What will he do today?
Monica’s smiling as she enters the ring, and so she should be after such a fantastic showing so far. They clear the first and second, the third and then the double – a tricky line but she made it look easy. They’re clear over the triple bar towards the big screen – still clear. So far so good. There’s a rub at the first part of the treble. Oh no, they have the planks down at 10. And 12 goes as well. Two down for them, but they’re inside the time, and hold their place on the leaderboard.
Monica Spencer and Artist complete their first 5* on a final score of 51.6.
2:58pm
We’re heading into a break now.
As things stand, Doug Payne is the clubhouse leader with Quantum Leap on 53.5.
Buck Davidson and Sorocaima drop a place and are now in second on 61.
And Lillian Heard Wood sits in third with LCC Barnaby on 64.8.
The top 7 will go after the break. We’ll be back in 30 minutes – at 3:28pm ET / 8:28pm BST.
Don’t miss it!
2:55pm
Last up before the break, we have the son of legendary US eventer Bruce Davidson – Buck Davidson is here at Maryland with Kentucky-bred Thoroughbred Sorocaima.
They got their competition underway with a score of 34.2 in the dressage. They added 13.6 time on the cross country yesterday and now come forward on a total of 47.8 in 8th place.
You have to go back to the beginning of the 2022 season to find a clear round on Sorocaima’s record. He had three poles down in his last international competition, but he kept it to just the one at Kentucky in the spring. How will he do at Maryland?
Sorocaima starts off really well, clearing the first three no problem at all. He’s through the double at 4 and continues on clear. This is going very well so far. Oh dear, 8 goes and then the last part of the treble. 11’s down as well. But they’re clear over the last two. 12 jumping penalties for them and 1.2 time.
Buck Davidson and Sorocaima end up with an overall score of 61.
2:52pm
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap are on their sixth 5* start together at Maryland this week.
They got their competition underway with a score of 35.9 in the dressage, adding 13.6 time on the cross country yesterday. They now come forward on a total of 49.5 in 9th place.
Quantum lowered two poles last time out, but before that he’d had a run of four clear rounds. Will he be back on clear form today?
Quantum’s clear over the first three and then clears the double at 4. He rattles 5 a little behind but it stays up and they carry on clear. Ah, the first part of the treble goes, kind of unlucky as he’s jumping brilliantly. There are no more problems for them though, and they finish up with just the one pole, well inside the time.
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap end up with an overall score of 53.5.
2:49pm
Lillian Heard Wood brings seasoned 5* campaigner seventeen-year-old LCC Barnaby for his third go at Maryland.
Barnaby put down a 36.4 between the white boards on Friday, and jumped clear across they country yesterday, adding 24.4 time penalties. That means they come into today’s show jumping on a score of 60.8 in 10th place.
Barnaby jumped clear last time out, but lowered two poles in his run before that. He kept it to one at Badminton in the spring. What will it be today?
So far so good for Barnaby, he’s clear through the initial part of his round. Barnaby’s jumping really well and showing off all of his 5* experience. They’re clear through the treble. He’s pushed his luck a little, and it runs out when he has the second Liverpool down. But he’s clear over the rest, and inside the time. There’s a big cheer for this amazing 5* campaigner. One fence down for them.
Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby end on a final score of 64.8.
2:46pm
Cornelia Fletcher brings Daytona Beach 8 to Maryland after successful 5* trips on both sides of the Pond.
They got their competition underway with a score of 48.5 in the dressage with Daytona clearly ready to run cross country. Activating a frangible device cost them 11 penalties out on course yesterday and they also had 18.8 time penalties. They come forward today on a two-phase score of 78.3, just outside the top-10 in 11th place.
This mare is a jumping machine with more clears on her record than penalties. Will she continue her clear round form today?
Cornelia takes a big breath as she canters up to the start. They’re clear over the first three but then have the second part of the double at 4. They put it behind them though and are clear over the first Liverpool. The first part of the treble goes but they’re clear through the other two elements. They finish up the rest of the course clear, and are inside the time. 8 jumping to add.
Cornelia Fletcher and Daytona Beach 8 finish up with a three-phase score of 86.3.
2:43pm
Andrew McConnon and YEH graduate Ferrie’s Cello have made their 5* debut here at Maryland.
They got their first 5* underway with a score of 33.4 in the dressage, then activated a frangible device out on the cross country which cost them 11 penalties. They had 34.8 time penalties too and come forward today on a two-phase score of 79.2.
They had 8 penalties in this phase last time out, and rolled one pole in each of their two international runs before that. But they can go clear on their day. Will today be one of those days?
He’s clear over the first three fences but takes the second part of the double at 4B. They continue on clear but then have the first part of the treble, and the last. The second Liverpool goes as well, but they’re clear over the final fence. Four down and 0.8 time. But a 5* completion for them.
Andrew McConnon and Ferrie’s Cello complete their first 5* on a final score of 96.
2:40pm
Emily Hamel brings seasoned 5* campaigner – and high jump specialist – Corvett forward for the gelding’s sixth time at the top level.
After scoring 39 on the first day of competition, they had an unlucky 20 out on course yesterday which cost them some time too – 24.8 penalties to be exact. That brings them into today’s show jumping on a total score of 83.8.
They’re on a run of three clear rounds in international competition this season – will they make it four today?
They clear over the first couple with miles of room to spare. The crowd are loving Corvett’s iconic jumping style. Wow! He’s flying! He manages the tricky triple, still clear. He’s clear down the last line. And over the last! CLEAR ROUND! Just outside the time for 0.4, but an amazing round.
Emily Hamel and Corvett end their competition on a score of 84.2.
2:27pm
Bobby Meyerhoff pilots his 17 hand mare Lumumba for her first 5*.
They posted 39.5 in the first phase, and added 47.6 time faults with their steady clear out on the cross country yesterday. Bobby was clearly having a ball though, high-fiving the crowd as he galloped past 🖐️ They come forward today on a total score of 87.1.
They’ve had 12 in this phase in their last three international runs. What will it be today?
The first fence goes for Bobby, and then the second – not the start he’d have hoped for. The fourth goes also. They manage the difficult line between the triple bar and the first Liverpool. The first and last parts of the treble go. The penultimate goes also. That’s six down for 24 and two time penalties. But it’s a 5* completion for them.
Bobby Meyerhoff and Lumumba finish on 133.1.
