World #1 Returning to Maryland 5 Star

We just keep getting more and more excited for the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Presented by Brown Advisory, as we now see an exciting addition to the 5* entry list in World #1 Oliver Townend with his mount As Is.

As Is is a relatively new mount for Townend, with the partnership starting their FEI career earlier this year with an 8th place finish in the CCI 3*S at Floors Castle. Townend and As Is have competed in four FEI events together, finishing in the top 10 at each. However, this will be As Is’ 5* debut.

Finishing in second place at the 2021 Maryland 5*, Townend is looking forward to being back: “I’m excited to be returning to the U.S. for the Mars Maryland 5 Star,” Townend said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the event last year and maybe I can move up a notch this time!

We also see the addition of French Olympian Astier Nicolas with Babylon de Gamma, a partnership coming off of a CCI 4*S win at Blair Castle in August.

Astier Nicolas & Babylon de Gamma, CCI4*S
Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials
August 2022
© Copyright Hannah Cole for Eventing Times. All rights reserved.

With the addition of Townend and Nicolas, there are now 26 entries in the 5*L, 79 entries in the 3*L, 41 in the 4 year old YEH, and 62 in the 5 year old YEH for this year’s competition.