United States Eventing Association

Crackerjack (2003 - 2017)

Crackerjack, a 15.3 hand Irish Sport Horse gelding by Aberjack out of Satan’s Slave was bred by Lucy Boynton Lie for her son Colin Davidson to ride. Davidson started “Crackers” at the Beginner Novice level in 2008 and campaigned him through the Preliminary level. In December of 2010, Davidson passed away in a car accident at the age of 29.

Boynton Lie then sent Crackerjack to Boyd Martin to be sold, but the pair formed a bond and Martin kept the ride and competed Crackerjack in Davidson’s memory. Martin rode Crackerjack for the last six years and together the pair competed all over the world. In 66 competitions together the pair only had two cross-country blips.

They contested six four-star competitions – finishing seventh at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event this spring and 10th at Luhmuhlen in Germany last summer. In 2012 they won the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh and the CIC2* at Richland Park. They had multiple top finishes at the three-star level including second place at the 2016 Plantation Field CIC3* and seventh at the 2015 Fair Hill International CCI3*.

On October 28, Crackerjack and Martin were competing at the Pau CCI4* in France when Crackerjack sustained multiple fractures in his pastern bone near the end of the cross-country course. Martin and Boynton Lie made the decision to humanely euthanize Crackerjack based on the advice of the veterinarians.

“Crackerjack had a wonderful cross-country round. I felt like it was one of our best ever trips together: we were jumping clear and took all the direct routes, and coming into the final stretch in the arena, he had plenty left in the tank. He felt fresh and his ears were pricked and I was thrilled with the way he was going,” said Martin following the event. “Just as we went into the arena he took a horrible step, almost on false ground. I heard a crack and instantly knew something was wrong. I pulled up and leapt off within a couple of strides. I knew Crackers was in bad shape.”

“What a ride it’s been. Crackers has taken me all over the world and given Lucy some wonderful memories. I can’t tell everyone how sorry I am,” concluded Martin.