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23 combinations are listed on the CCI5* entries for the 2024 MARS Maryland at Fair Hill, taking place from 17th – 20th October with two past winners, Tim Price and Boyd Martin plus three-time placegetter Oliver Townend once again battling it out for 5* honours at the US event.
One of two CCI5* competitions held in the USA and seven in the world, Maryland has once again attracted an international contingent, including five British entries, two New Zealanders, one Australian, three from Canada and two UK-based US riders heading to their home country for a crack at the top level.
Former winner in Antipodean entries
Tim Price, winner at Maryland in 2022 on board Coup De Coeur Dudevin, returns this year with his 2021 Pau 5* winner Falco, who was meant to start here in 2023 but was withdrawn. Falco has made a full recovery from the operation for a non-malignant tumour, finishing in sixth place at Paris 2024, and now heads across the pond for his first US-based CCI5*.
Tim is joined by US-based rider Joe Meyer riding Harbin in flying the flag for New Zealand while Australia has just one entry in another US-based combination – Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach, who completed their first 5* together at Kentucky earlier this year.
Five British combinations
Oliver Townend is a familiar face at Maryland, having competed here every year since the event started in 2021, going home with podium places each time - second with Cooley Master Class in 2021 followed by third placings with As Is (2022) and Cooley Rosalent (2023). This time he comes with his most experienced horse, the triple 5* winner Ballaghmor Class who missed out on selection for Paris 2024 but may very well end the season with a bang.
Bubby Upton and Cola III, who took 10th place at Badminton 5* earlier in the year, will be having their first start at Maryland while David Doel is making the trip with Galileo Nieuwmoed, second placegetter at Burghley 5* last year.
Harry Meade won’t be quite as busy as he was at this year’s Burghley, where he successfully completed with three horses, but he does have two rides here on the experienced 5* campaigner Away Cruising and the 10-year-old Et Hop Du Matz, who will be making his 5* debut.
US and Canadian Entries
Boyd Martin will be ‘doing a Harry Meade’ at Maryland, riding three horses in On Cue – the Maryland winner in 2021- Tsetserleg TSF and Commando 3, a first-timer at this level.
Another US 5* winning-combination, Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, winners at Kentucky in 2023, will be contesting what may be Mai Baum’s last event while a new rising star for the USA, Cosby Green and Highly Suspicious, who have been based in the UK with Tim and Jonelle Price, return home for the 14-year-old gelding’s first 5* after Cosby had her first 5* start on Copper Beach at Burghley.
There are two more UK-based US combinations making the trip with Tiana Coudray riding Cancaras Girl and Grace Taylor on board Gamechanger while Jennie Brannigan (USA), Bruce Davidson (USA) and Jessica Phoenix (CAN) each bring forward thoroughbreds in their rides on Twilightslastgleam, Sorocaima and the rather adorable Wabbit.
