United States Eventing Association

Kurt Martin Makes his Mark After Day One of Dressage at Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L

After Thursday morning’s USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship dressage phase at the Maryland 5 Star, Kurt Martin (USA) leads with D.A. Lifetime, a 9-year-old mare owned by Debbie Adams. The pair earned a score of 23.5 for their beautiful test in the Main Arena.

“Clarence was brilliant this morning,” Martin said. “We were a little bit unsure coming into this event because we’ve never competed here on this side. We didn’t know how the horses would act with a larger atmosphere, but she was brilliant at the start when we got here. She was no different when we went into the arena, which was also quite unique for her. She’s hot and usually a lot of horse, but today she was right underneath me the whole test. I couldn’t be happier.”

When asked about his first impression of the Maryland 5 Star, Martin said, “It looks like an unbelievable undertaking to put this event on. From the rings to the cross-country course, to the stands to shopping and everything else, I know a lot of people have put in a lot of time here. As a rider, I appreciate that. Fair Hill has always been beautiful and a great venue, and it’s been upgraded now.”

Sitting in second place for the CCI3*-L is Kate Brown (USA) and Carnaby, her 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding, with a score of 24.8. Caroline Martin (USA) and HSH Vamonos, her and Sherrie Martin’s 8-year-old Zangersheide gelding, are in third with a score of 25.5.

“Cabbie is usually quite obedient, and he felt quite responsive in the warm-up ring,” Brown said. “His eyes got a little bit big when I came up into the arena itself. He took a few peeks around throughout the test, but he kept responding to me and kept showing up to do what I was asking. I’m very pleased with him.

“Riding into the ring this morning was great,” Brown added. “We don’t get to practice with a large atmosphere very much, so it was a really, really big change. It looks awesome – the venue, the stands, the footing, all the decorations. There’s just a lot there, and it’s great.”

The entire CCI5* is available via livestream presented by MARS Equestrian. It can be accessed through USEF Network in North America and through Horse & Country outside North America. USEF Network is also providing exclusive coverage of the CCI3*. A link to the livestream is available on the event’s website via the USEF Network player. Additionally, press conferences are being livestreamed through the event’s Facebook page.

About the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill:One of only two 5 Star events in the United States, and just the seventh worldwide, the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill continues the storied legacy of Eventing at the new Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland, located in Cecil County. The prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of Eventing, best described as an equestrian triathlon. The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is produced by The Fair Hill Organizing Committee, an affiliate of the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, and in partnership with Fair Hill International. The Maryland Food Bank serves as an event beneficiary.