FAIR HILL, Md.--Monica Spencer of New Zealand on Artist ,had their international personal best score and now leads following the CCI5*-L Dressage competition at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill.
Spenser finished Dressage with a total score of 23.7 to lead with Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake second on a score of 28.2, Felix Vogg of New Zealand on Cartania follows close behind in third on 28.3 and Boyd Martin on Luke 140 is fourth.
Spencer, now based in the U.S., has steadily built Artist into a high-level partner.
She helped New Zealand win a team bronze at the 2022 World Eventing Championships and has completed many 5* events, including a strong showing at Kentucky this year and a top finish at Maryland in 2023.
“We really enjoyed ourselves out there and he was offering me plenty of energy, but I managed to keep a lid on it and he showed himself off well, so I was really pleased,” said Spencer. “He’s a good boy."
“I’ve had him since he was 4, so we’ve been together a little while, and he’s just been a great horse for me, he has taken me all over the world,” said Spencer of the former racehorse. “We come to these big events and I’m just thankful to be here. He just tries so hard.”
Pamukcu on HSH Blake had their best ever 5-star score and the first time she has gotten below a score below 30.0.
“This is our first time at the 5 Star level, and I am just over the moon with how he performed,” said Pamukcu. “He felt like he really enjoyed himself. When I came into the arena, it’s like he kicked into another gear and just felt happy which made me happy.”
Four time U.S. Olympic veteran, Boyd Martin on Luke 140 led following the first day of dressage competition and is now fourth on 31.0
Martin won the inaugural Maryland 5 Star in 2021 and is among the favorites in this year’s 5th annual event.
“I was pretty happy with Luke,” said Martin. “He is a very talented horse and he’s got an amazing ability. The biggest challenge I’ve got is to keep him settled under a lot of atmosphere, and he went around and did a very nice test today. I was pleased.”
In the CCI3* following dressage, Maryland native Isabelle Bosley leads with a score of 24.8 aboard Conner, an 8-year-old gelding.
“I was thrilled with him,” said Bosley. “I’ve had this horse for a couple years now and he’s always been a bit of a hothead, but he really stayed with me and I felt like I could kind of push a little bit more with all of the marks. He’s the best he has felt in the ring. He has leveled up for me and I am just so proud of how much he has matured over the years. He came out and did everything right today.”
Alyssa Phillips on Rockett 19 is close behind in second with a 25.5, while Olivia Dutton on Jewelent, who had Thursday’s top performance, is third on a 28.1.
Tommy Greengard on Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad is fourth with a 28.2,
Dutton is fresh off her first international victory at last weekend’s Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials, where she won on Sea of Clouds with a score of 57.1.
“It was great to have a good weekend last week and it is nice to have that extra confidence boost coming into this week,” said Dutton. “I am on a new horse and we are still getting to know each other so I am just going to ride the best that I can.”
On Saturday, riders will compete over the cross-country course designed by new course designer, Pierre Le Goupil,.
The event is being streamed globally via ClipMyHorse.TV and regionally via Maryland Public Television.
Earlier in the day, the CCI3-L* division began with dressage competition in the Main Arena, and Olivia Dutton on Jewelent leads on a score of 28.1.
Tommy Greengard on Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad is second with a 28.2, and Laine Ashker on Lovedance iis third on 30.0.
