Boyd Martin leads in MARS Maryland 5 Star debut in 5* Dressage competition
Four time U.S. Olympic veteran, Boyd Martin and Luke 140 took an early lead following the first day of dressage competition in the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. The pair produced a polished test to earn a score of 31.0, putting them at the top of the leaderboard at the close of day one. Caroline Pamukcu and She’s the One are close behind with a 31.4, while Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle hold third on 32.8.
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.”
Pamukcu, Martin’s 2024 Paris Olympics teammate rode her 10 year-old mare to its best CCI5* dressage test ever.
“I am really proud of her,” said Pamukcu. “She’s 10 this year but she has quite a bit of experience and I am really thankful for the Federation to keep putting energy and time into her, and giving me an opportunity, so that she is getting quite used to this type of atmosphere.”
“I’m super happy with his work,” said Brannigan of her 15 year-old gelding. “He got a little tense at the end and then did a little change at that half pass, a couple things I could have cleaned up. I hope his score stays competitive, but I was just so pleased with him. I think that’s the best 5 star test he’s done.”
Australian, Sophia Hill is first on for day two of the 5* Dressage with her thoroughbred Humble Glory (Hughie). The pair are proudly representing Australia in this world class competition, following a successful trot up where the pair were named best dressed. Sophia and Hughie will start at 2:05pm local time Friday 17, October, which is 5:05am Saturday morning AEST for eager Aussies.
The CCI3*L division also kicked off on Thursday, 17 October in the main arena, with Olivia Dutton currently leading the field after producing a score of 28.1 aboard the Irish Sport Horse, Jewelent, a 13-year-old gelding owned by J.W. Rosbotham and Jewelent Group.
Tommy Greengard and Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad currently sit in second place with a 28.2, while Laine Ashker and Lovedance follow on 30.0. The second day of dressage for the CCI3-L* division continues tomorrow, with the first combinations scheduled to ride down the centerline at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Fresh off her first international victory at last weekend’s Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials, where she topped the leaderboard aboard Sea of Clouds with a score of 57.1, Dutton carried that winning energy into Fair Hill.
“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.”
Australian rider, Ryan Wood performed on the first of his two rides in the class, Clooney R, for a score of 39.4 placing him in 24th. He will be riding Fernhill Domino at 12:04pm local time, 3:04am AEST.
Heading into day two of the event and the second portion of Dressage for 3* and 5*, Friday’s five to follow based on their 6RA (Six Run Average – the average of the horse’s last 6 international dressage tests), according to Equiratings are New Zealand combination, Monica Spencer on Artist with a 6RA of 28.8, Feliz Vogg on Cartania with a 6RA of 30.8, Mia Farley on Phelps with a 6RA of 32.0, Boyd Martin (USA) on Commando 3 with a 6RA of 27.3, and Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake with a 6RA of 29.5.
All the action is being streamed live on ClipMyHorse.TV.
Source: Marlyand press release, edited by Equestrian Life
