New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Artist, secured his international personal best score and now sit atop the leaderboard following the CCI5*-L dressage competition at the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. The pair finished Dressage with a total score of 23.7 from the judging. Caroline Pamukcu of the USA and her 10-year-old gelding, HSH Blake are currently second with a score of 28.2 while Felix Vogg of Switzerland and Cartania follow close behind in third place on 28.3.
Spencer, now based in the U.S., has steadily built Artist into a high-level partner. The pair helped New Zealand secure a team bronze at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships. They’ve completed multiple CCI5*L events, including a strong showing at Kentucky this season and a top finish at Maryland in 2023. Monica acquired Artist as a former racehorse when he was four, and together they have proved not only a competitive dressage combination but also a resilient cross-country and show jumping duo.
“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.”
Spencer became emotional when speaking of the bond with her horse, Artist, whom she has been with for 10 years.
“I’ve had him since he was four…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. “We come to these big events and I’m just thankful to be here. He just tries so hard.”
This competition also resulted in Pamukcu and HSH Blake’s best-ever CCI5*L score and the first time she has gotten below a score below 30.0.
“This is our first time at the CCI5*L 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.”
Sophia Hill and Humble Glory look forward to cross country day
Australian combination Sophia Hill and Humble Glory didn’t have their best day in the dressage arena on Friday, with the medium walk and some of the canter work bringing their score down alongside an unfortunate error of course. A score of 46.2 saw them finish the day in 20th position, but with cross country to come on Saturday they are still within touch of the top end of the leaderboard.
Speaking to Equestrian Life prior to event, Sophia explained that cross country is where ‘Hughie’ really shines – and Maryland’s course will likely suit the Aussie Thoroughbred.
“I felt like the hilly cross-country track will suit Hughie. The cross country was very influential on the finishing results last year, and that is the kind of event I target on Hughie, seeing as the cross country is where he really shines,” said Sophia.
Since landing in the US, Sophia and Hughie have been based with the CCI5*L leader, Monica Spencer, whose property is also in Maryland and not far from the event.
“We are so grateful for Monica’s support as it made the whole trip seem a lot less intimidating, having somewhere to stay, and someone who knows how to navigate eventing in the US!” said Sophia.
Sophia and Hughie will be the 12th combination on course at 2.45pm local time, 5.45am Sunday AEDT.
Isabelle Bosley and Conner lead CCI3*L
Following the conclusion of Friday’s CCI3*L dressage in the Main Arena, Maryland native Isabelle Bosley (USA) took the lead with a score of 24.8 aboard Conner, an eight-year-old gelding owned by Werner Behrens and Karen Martin.
“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 [Friday].”
Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Rockett 19 are close behind in second with a 25.5, while Olivia Dutton (USA) and Jewelent, who delivered Thursday’s top performance, sit third on a 28.1. Tommy Greengard (USA) and Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad hold fourth with a 28.2, followed by Mia Farley (USA) and Pinacolada in fifth with a 28.8. Laine Ashker (USA) and her nine-year-old mare Lovedance round out the top six on a score of 30.0.
Australian Ryan Wood holds 31st (35.4) and 44th (39.4) with Fernhill Domino and Clooney R respectively.
As the event enters day three, all eyes turn to the highly anticipated cross-country course, designed by new course designer, Pierre Le Goupil, where riders will face a true test of skill and precision over its demanding obstacles.
View full results from Maryland 5 Star here.
All the action is being streamed live on ClipMyHorse.TV.
Source: Maryland 5 Star press release, edited by Equestrian Life
