United States Eventing Association

Commando 3 Carries Martin to Another Stable View CCI4*-S Win

Aiken, S.C.—April 5—Boyd Martin came into cross-country today in the CCI4*-S at Stable View in an enviable position, holding the top three places, and he put in three strong performances with his Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event-bound horses, finishing on top with Commando 3 (38.0), in second with Fedarman B (38.8), and in fourth with Luke 140 (40.4). Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy kept Martin from sweeping the entire podium, finishing third (39.3).

Commando 3, Yankee Creek Ranch LLC’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Connor 48 x R-Adulgunde), won the dressage yesterday and dropped a pole in show jumping, but made up for it today over Helen West’s cross-country course, adding 8 time penalties to take the win for the second year in a row. None of the 24 pairs to start made the optimum time of 6 minutes 24 seconds.

“He was sensational on the flat. He put in a great test,” said Martin of “Connor.” “He's a horse that's got incredible extravagance, and he’s performing well. He's just starting to get really seasoned at this level, so we're very pleased with his dressage test. He had one pole down, but his round was good. Even though we had four penalties, I was very pleased with how he jumped a tough, technical track. Overall, he jumped in great shape and showed great technique.”

As the last to go today on Connor, Martin had the advantage of having run the course twice. He said he’s been a bit cautious with his top horses this year after having an orthopedic surgery to repair some wear and tear this winter.

“I've been taking it easy, focusing on keeping them healthy and confident in their preparation,” he said. “Today, though, I felt like it was time to open them up a bit. I needed a good fitness run, and the crew here at Stable View did a sensational job on the footing. It was the perfect moment to push them without taking any ridiculous risks.”

Martin fell from Connor last year in the gelding’s first five-star at Maryland, so he’s hoping for a better run in a few weeks’ time in Kentucky.

“This cross-country course was great preparation for him,” he said. “It had everything—good coffins, three water jumps, corners, and narrows—and he gave me a really positive, brave feeling the whole way around. We still have three weeks of training ahead, with a couple more gallops, but I'm confident in his shape. He’s looking great.”

Martin’s overnight leader, Luke 140, a 14-year-old Holsteiner (Landos x Omega VI), owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, added 11.2 time penalties.

“He’s a rocketship, and I love him,” he said. “He’s a maniac—he’s got this amazing blend of careful and brave. I’ve been a bit cautious with him because he’s wild! It’s tough to contain him at times, but I think we’re in good shape with him.”

Martin had a bit of a sticky moment at the coffin combination with Fedarman, B, the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B), but they recovered and ended their day with 8 time penalties.

“He’s in great shape,” said Martin. “This is his first time going to Kentucky—he’s been to the Olympic Games, but he’s never really competed here in America. He’s almost a little too brave sometimes on cross-country, but the five-star events suit him. We’ll try to get him settled in, but it’s important not to ride him too fast in a five-star because it’s a long, demanding course.”

Wolfert joked that she nearly turned around on her way from her homebase in Kansas with SSH Playboy in tow. Tornadoes and hail slowed her a down a bit, even when she delayed her trip to try to miss the weather on Wednesday, but she arrived safe and sound and finished the weekend well with Team Pivot’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Cit Cat x Stomeyford Black Pearl).

The pair was the quickest across the country, adding just 1.2 time penalties as they look towards their five-star debut, either at Kentucky or at Luhmühlen (Germany) in June should they be chosen for the U.S. Equestrian Federation European Development Tour. They were also recently awarded the 2025 Amanda Pirie Warrington grant from the USET Foundation.

“I wasn't trying to be the fastest one, but I was trying to be fast,” said Wolfert. “I'm trying prep for my first five-star, and I wanted to kind of take things out of stride to see where his fitness level was, and to try to ride a little tighter lines to fences and stuff, and he was such a champ. I'm so excited how he felt today. He was incredible.”

Wolfert spent a month in Ocala, Florida, in February, but mostly bases in Bucyrus, Kansas, a fact that she admits is tough with long drives, but is worth it for her students and supporters. She takes pride in helping keep eventing alive in the Midwest.

“It’s so hard to event in the Midwest,” she said. “So, when I can compete with them [other upper-level riders based in the East], and prevent Boyd from having a podium sweep, it feels pretty good! I can't see myself as an underdog anymore, which is kind of cool. Like, I am a really good rider, and I’m just getting so much confidence for myself.”

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