by Katherine O. Rizzo (first published in the December 2024 Equiery)
This year’s MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill was certainly one for the record books, with eight out of 23 entries completing the CCI5-L division October 16-20. The cross-country phase, designed by now-retired international course designer Ian Stark (GBR) as his last official international cross-country course, turned out to be the deciding factor in the final standings of the division.
Seven riders retired on course with six eliminated while on course and two withdrawing before starting cross-country. Many have speculated that the drought here in Maryland combined with the challenging terrain of Fair Hill and unusually hot weather for October took a toll on some horses, causing them to tire more easily than normal. “People are still trying to figure out what type of horse you need for Maryland [5 Star],” said international five-star event rider and judge Valerie Pride. “Maryland [5 Star] is still a new five-star and there is a saying that there are different ‘horses for courses’ and that may have played into the results this year.” Pride, who is based out of Harwood, was on hand all week as one of the CCI5-L Ground Jury members and has firsthand knowledge of Stark’s courses at Fair Hill, having ridden in the inaugural Maryland 5 Star aboard Favian. The pair finished 23rd out of 46 competitors that year. “At this level, it is rare to have a bunch of people coming in [off cross-country] with no jump faults and being fast enough,” Pride explained. “But a five star is a five star and this year’s course was proper for the level.”
Pride agreed that the drought and unusually warm temperatures played a factor in many riders’ decisions about if they should run cross-country or not, or if they should retire on course. “If someone had a problem early on, they retired to save their horses for another day and they did the right thing,” she said. Pride added that the organizers and ground crew were “amazing and worked so hard to get as much water as possible on that course.”
Oliver Townend of Great Britain rode the very experienced five-star horse Ballaghmore Class to a 26.5% in dressage to sit in second place heading into the cross-country phase. The pair were out on course towards the end of the division and showed the world their experience by jumping clean with just a few time faults. They moved into first place after Tamra Smith retired Mai Baum, also very experienced at this level, near the end of the course.
David Doel (GBR) jumped clean and inside the time on cross-country with Galileo Nieuwoed to move into second place, while Tim Price (NZL) jumped clean with a few time faults aboard Falco to sit in third.
On the final day of competition, eight horses were presented to the Ground Jury at the final horse inspection with all eight continuing to show jumping. Pride stated that all eight horses were, “really fit and looked really good at the jog.” In show jumping, Price jumped clean to move into second place after Doel dropped a rail. Townend kept all the poles in the cups to become the fourth winner of the Maryland 5 Star CCI5*-L. He had finished in the top three at all the previous Maryland 5 Star events.
This Maryland 5 Star held special significance for Pride who was officiating in her first five-star. “I am so proud to be part of this event and I’m super thankful that all the stars aligned for this to be my first five star as a judge,” she said, adding, “Maryland is my home and it was so special for me.”
Former Marylander and Seneca Valley Pony Club graduate Lillian Heard Wood (pictured), now based in Pennsylvania, finished eighth this year. She has competed in and completed every Maryland 5 Star to date with longtime partner LCC Barnaby. They previously finished 10th in 2023, 11th in 2022 and 18th in 2021. The eighth place finish was also their top five-star finish. “I feel so lucky having grown up in Maryland and have personally benefited from such a great horse industry in the state,” Wood said. “So, to have now an event at the highest level of the sport here in Maryland is really special. The event was already fabulous from the start but it keeps getting better and better each year.”
This year’s event marked the 15th five-star Wood has competed with Barnaby over his 12 years competing in the sport. “I think he is the most incredible horse, even though he has tried to kill me a few times,” she said with a laugh. Wood purchased Barnaby as a five-year-old show jumper when she was living in Ireland. She produced him herself moving him up the levels and competing all over the world. “If there was a six-star [event], he would do a six-star and there are very few horses in the history of the sport that you can say that of,” Wood said.
The pair were in 20th place after dressage at the Maryland 5 Star and then jumped clean on cross-country with just a penalty for knocking a flag and some time faults. “I have a horse that is not great in dressage so a tough cross-country course suits us well,” Wood said jokingly. Wood went on to explain that Barnaby is a “cross-country machine” but is a “little bit wild” at times. “But that is what I love about him and what makes him such a great event horse,” she said. He’s also a clever show jumper and finished the event clean and over the time but just by one second.
“This is a tough sport and at this level, you will always see people dropping out on cross-country,” Wood added and pointed out that the event had a smaller than normal number of entries to start with. “But even with the small number of riders to finish, it was a good day in my opinion because people were not getting hurt out there. Horses were not getting hurt out there.”
Wood officially retired the now 18-year-old Barnaby after the five-star. “I pulled his shoes and everything,” she said adding, “he retired sound after so many five-stars and now is running around his pasture with my other retired five-star horse.” Wood admitted that retirement might not be exactly what Barnaby has in mind though and said she’s already given some pony rides on him to her nieces and nephews.
