
The B element of the Brown Advisory Canoe and Cascade.
The 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star is not like any other year. This year we are saying goodbye to course designer Ian Stark as he retires from designing and turns his attention to coaching. I may not ride his courses, but I will miss seeing his bright smile and listening to his jokes as he gives the media the rundown on his latest course.
For his last CCI5* design, Ian has stuck mostly to his design of previous years, but with subtle and nuanced changes that will make a big difference to the pairs on course. Some feathers have been particularly ruffled by the second water. The fence is not only a picture frame-style keyhole, but also features water raining down from the top of the frame into the water below. Despite the controversy (what’s a 5* without a little added spice?), the riders all agree on one thing: Ian is a talented course designer and his tracks will be missed by everyone.
So, let’s get to it.
📣 Who said our title quote?
💪 Who’s worried about fitness?
🗻 Who’s surprised by the terrain?
Tamie Smith – 25.3 – 1st
“That’s a bit bittersweet too. I’ve known Ian since he had a dark, full head of hair. So, it’s a little bit sad. Selfishly, I’m thinking that maybe he’ll have more time for coaching, because he’s brilliant at that, and a great mentor. But what better place to have your last cross country than here in America, Maryland’s 5* So I think a lot of us are sad, and actually happy for him as well.”
Oliver Townend – 26.5 – 2nd
“Looking at the course, I don’t think we’ll be worrying about the dressage by the end of tomorrow. It’s a couple of degrees more difficult every time I’ve come here. The time was incredibly gettable the first two years, and year three and four– that definitely ain’t gonna happen. It’s big. TV isn’t going to do it justice, because you just cannot get over to people how many big jumps after big jumps, after big jumps with such accuracy as well. One trip, one slip, and you’re over. You need a lot of luck at 5*, but you need a willing partner. It’s going to be a proper, proper 5* competition.”
Bubby Upton – 26.7 – 3rd
“Ian’s definitely going out with a bang. It’s a really tough track. There’s four or five really, really difficult questions, he’s [Ian Stark] such a clever course builder. Oh my god, we’re going to miss him so much in this sport! Because basically when you commit to the straight route, you’re in and there’s no way of getting out, so there’s no room for error. Fingers crossed, I’ll have my A game on because like I said, it’s just my job to do Cola justice because I know that he’ll fight for me right to the end.”
Tim Price – 27.4 – 4th
“I have the utmost faith in Falco. He’s surprisingly good at galloping for a long time for a horse that’s only 28% blood and it’s there to be done, the job’s to be done. There’s some things that neither of us have seen before but I think we’re at the stage in our partnership to throw ourselves through.”
[Here we asked him about fence 10.]
“The water– yeah, I think it’s cute. I think Ian knows what he’s doing. We always put our faith in these world class designers that know how horses see things first and then try to make things a little bit scary for the rider. I think hopefully that’s what he’s done there [with the water]. It’ll just be a shame if even one horse had a stop at it. It’s not like we can practice that at home. So I’ve got my utmost faith in Ian, but yeah I think it’s a little bit gimmicky.”
Cosby Green – 28 – 6th
“It’s nice to be sitting on a good jumping horse out there. I think there’s a lot of scope questions and the terrain is quite hillier than I remember. Now that I’ve seen some more tracks, it is quite impressive– the terrain. Thankfully, he’s fit and ready to go and I can have trust in his scope and his fitness. The last water – the Crab – you gallop up to the top of the hill and then that’s a major scope and athleticism question, and I’m actually quite excited to do that with him.”
Lindsay Traisnel – 30.7 – 8th
“It’s not quite as scary as I thought! I just need to make sure I got all my lines right. If I just ride [Bacyrouge] right, he’ll do it.”
Harry Meade – 31.2 – 9th
“There’s lots to jump. I think the time will be tight. There’s obviously quite a few places where it’s very technical and slow.”
“It’s a proper course. I’m a big fan of Ian Stark’s courses. I’ve known him all my life, and I think we sort of have a shared philosophy on what eventing, what cross country, should be, and I slightly follow him around. I certainly follow him around Britain and Europe, and have gone as far as following him around the globe.”
“It’s a lovely flowing course. I think he’s been a little bit clever in places where the stringing of the course and some of the turns to get to the fences will waste a lot of time, and it really brings your average speed down. I like the course each year I come here. I missed last year, and the people who didn’t come the first two years, said ‘Oh it was beefed up so much!’ and I got here, and actually, it’s not that different. Obviously, there’s a few new questions, like the Sunken Road, which is a tough question, but I think it’s more a sort of mega speed bump to try and bring the speed down.”
“But you’ve got to have a horse that is brave, straight, keen, enjoys their job and is able to settle into a rhythm and gallop. So it’s one I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into and certainly, this is what makes me do the sport. It’s what makes me want to just keep going.”
Tiana Coudray – 31.9 – 10th
“I haven’t fully made my decisions on it yet. Overall, I’m pretty happy with it. There’s a lot of terrain, especially towards the end; that’s no surprise to anybody. There’s plenty to do out there. There’s some big jumps, there’s some big hills, but it’s a beautiful course. It’s beautifully laid out, and I think it’s there to be had. So hopefully we’re up to the task.”
Buck Davidson – 34 – 13th
“The ground is stiff enough. I think the course is mainly the same as last year. Ian Stark has maybe just softened that top water a little bit. It’s just going to slow people down a little more. Hopefully they can punch the ground and water the heck out of it. It’s nobody’s fault there’s not been any rain, but for sure, the ground is firm, and there’s a lot of jumps on downhills with drops and stuff, so I’d like to see it a little bit softer, I think they’re working on it.”
Grace Taylor – 34.1 – 14th
“It’s tough, but I think a lot of Ian as a course designer and I’m looking forward to trying to get it done.”
Colleen Loach – 34.1 – 14th
“The course looks great, really good. A lot to do, but there’s breaks here and there, too. So that’s kind of nice, but if Goldie is his usual self, he should storm around there. I’m not sure what the point is of the water feature [at fence 10], to be honest, for the horses. I think when the horses are going and they hear the water splashing, I’m not sure how much of a difference it will make, but I just don’t see the point.”
David Doel – 34.5 – 16th
“There’s real terrain out there. There’s some really big fences, some really decent combinations. It’s definitely not going to be a dressage competition this weekend.”
Ema Klugman – 35.6 – 18th
“The course is definitely beefy. In a weird way, it feels familiar, because a lot of it is similar to last year. The track is exactly the same and several of the jumps are kind of the same. I mean, not identical, but similar. So I’m definitely going to be reviewing the videos from last year tonight and seeing how people did it, and also where mistakes were made, and how those happen. But, I’m really excited to tackle it with Bronte. She’s a super honest, very brave, very scopey horse. This will be the biggest fitness test she’s ever done, so we have her really fit, and hopefully she gets a good night’s sleep. I don’t think I will, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Emily Hamel – 36.2 – 19th
“I’ve only walked it once. Everything looks pretty good. I need a little bit of a better plan in a couple of places, like the coffin, because he gave us a lot of options. It’s like, ‘How brave are you going to be?’ That’ll be interesting to see if people choose to go left or right. Then the crab water is always entertaining and there’s always a lot to do.”
Lillian Heard Wood – 38.6 – 20th
“It’s very similar to last year, which I did with this horse. So I know where I nearly had some trouble last year, so I’m going to be paying attention there. There are a few new things that I’ve got to wrap my head around. But, it’s a beautiful track, and they’re doing everything I can, and I’m excited about it.”
Jessie Phoenix – 39.3 – 21st
“Ian Stark has nailed it. It’s a beautiful 5* track. It’s big. It asks every single question. It’s really thoughtfully done, so if there’s any issues out there, you can still come home. I think he’s just a designer for the centuries. What he has given this sport is truly remarkable, and I think it’s such an honor to be able to go around his last course.”
Joe Meyer – 43.7 – 23rd
“It’s pretty big and tough. There’s a couple of combinations that I’m still sort of umming and ahhing about distance-wise and things. It’ll just depend a little bit how he jumps into them and stuff. I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do, but it’s all got to be done well. The hills will be a test as well, because this will be the hilliest course I’ve ridden. It’s quite a bit more than Kentucky; there’s plenty to do.”
MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [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.