MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill (16-20 October) has begun in the US, with Australian Ema Klugman lining up Bronte Beach for the mare’s second CCI5*L.
A 12-year-old Zangersheide mare by Verdi TN and out of a Chopin mare, Bronte Beach is owned by the Bronte Beach Syndicate and is the second horse Ema has produced through to five-star level.
Previously Ema competed at the level several times with her special partner Bendigo – a Thoroughbred x Saddlebred who retired from elite level competition a few years back. The gelding sadly passed away in January this year due to complications following colic surgery.
Passed the trot up
Bronte Beach passed the trot up on Wednesday, with Ema and the mare scheduled to complete the dressage phase in the second half of the draw on Friday at 2.45pm local time (Saturday 5.45am AEDT). View the draw here.
Cosby Green leads the CCI5*L following day one of the dressage
First-time Maryland 5 Star competitor, Cosby Green (USA) and Highly Suspicious took a commanding lead following the first day of dressage competition in the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. The pair produced a lovely test to earn a 28.0 from the judging panel, putting them strongly in front of the field at the end of the day. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 are in contention with a 28.5, good for second, with Lindsay Traisnel (CAN) and Bacyrouge in third on 30.7.
Making her Maryland 5* debut, Cosby Green matched her personal best in the international arena during the first phase of competition. Her horse, Highly Suspicious, also achieved a career-best international score, marking a standout performance for the pair.
“Overall, I thought it was some of his best work in the ring so far,” said Cosby Green (USA) CCI5*L. “It’s hard not to be frustrated with the walk and we know that’s his weakness, but he went in there and I just thought he did a great demonstration of all the work we have been putting in and that doesn’t always happen in such a big atmosphere, so I really am thrilled with him.”
You can view the full results from day one here.
Heading into day two of the event and the second half of the dressage draw, Friday’s five to follow according to Equiratings are Bubby Upton (GBR) on Cola. Cola’s best five-star test was a 27.3 at Badminton 2024.Tamie Smith (USA) on Mai Baum, who at 18 years old is competing in his last five-star event. In 2023, this pair ended the USA’s 15-year wait for a Kentucky five-star win. Oliver Townend (GBR) atop Ballaghmor Class, as Ballaghmor had his best run of 20.8 at Badminton in 2018 and has been other-worldly, completing all 11 of his five-star competitions, winning three and placing top five in all but one. Tim Price (NZL) on Falco, whose best five-star test was a 22.1 at Pau in 2021, which Falco won, and finally Maryland 5 Star 2021 winner, Boyd Martin (USA) on Tsetserleg TSF, who had his best five-star test of 25.4 at Kentucky in 2021.
Source: Event media release
