Thoroughbred Heart on Display at MARS Maryland 5 Star as Artist and Spencer Hold the Lead
Elkton, Md.—Oct. 18— When overnight leader in the MARS Maryland 5 Star Monica Spencer (NZL) left the start box today to head out onto Pierre Le Goupil’s cross-country course, she had one thought on her mind.
“My priority was to keep that rail in hand,” she said with a laugh. And that she did as she and her Thoroughbred gelding Artist delivered the first of just four double-clear rounds to stay on their dressage score of 23.7 ahead of Felix Vogg (SUI) and Cartania, who also jumped double-clear to move into second on 28.3.
“I came to this event hoping to get on the podium after swinging and missing for many top 10s,” she continued. “He's been a very consistent boy for me, and I came here wanting a podium, and I'm gonna keep it real and just hope that we can do our best job tomorrow.”
Spencer noted she knew she might need that rail in hand as historically Artist has a rail or two down in the show jumping phase at the five-star level. But with him being bred to race, he had no qualms with putting the pedal to the metal today.
“He was definitely ready to run, and I certainly let him do that on those lovely gallop strips. The ground was perfect— we flew around. He was a machine. I'm very happy,” Spencer said about her 14-year-old partner (Guillotine x Maxamore).
While the pair made it look fairly effortless, Spencer said it was a true test at the five-star level.
“I think it was tough out there, and you really had to fight for it the whole way,” she shared. “You had to be ready to act on your feet and have a brave and generous horse. It was as hard as we thought it would be, but we did it.”
“Max,” as Artist is known around the barn, was one of three Thoroughbreds to absolutely dominate on cross-country today. Mia Farley and David O’Connor’s 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Phelps (Tiznow x Boom Town Gal) moved up from ninth to third, while Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Bernardini x Sharpen) moved from 20th to seventh with a double-clear. Both Spencer and Farley were very complimentary of their Thoroughbred partners today.
“We love our Thoroughbreds,” said Spencer. “Mia and I were saying that Max and Phelps are doing it for all those average brown Thoroughbreds out there. It’s nice that they can find a second career.”
“How can we not love Thoroughbreds at a five-star?” continued Farley. “I don't have much experience at five-star, but they keep answering. At every five-star, there's always at least one that just goes for it and gets everything done. They're gritty and fun to watch.”
Farley and Phelps conquered their first five-star here at Maryland in 2023 where they were the only pair that made the time on cross-country, a feat that is becoming a regular occurrence for the duo now. She was beyond proud of her partner following his performance today and is looking forward to tomorrow, no matter the outcome.
“Show jumping is not our strong suit, but we have Phelps for cross-country, and he gives me a great experience on Saturdays, and then I will do my best on Sunday for him, and he will do his best for me,” she said.
Moving into second place from third overnight was Swiss rider Felix Vogg and the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare Cartania (Cartani 4 x Schatzi), whom Vogg co-owns with Phoenix Eventing S.A.R.L. They sit on a score of 28.3, which gives Spencer and Artist one rail in hand going into the last day of competition.
“I’m really happy—I know she's capable of doing it. That's her best phase. There's nothing too big for her. It's really about me to get the perfect spot to jump the fence,” said Vogg. “What makes me more proud of her, I think, is there are three horses, all Thoroughbreds, inside the time, and she's Holsteiner and gets the time.”
His partnership with Cartania began in 2018 when she was sold for being a bit too strong across the country.
“It was a job to figure that out,” he said. “She’s not mare-ish, but dominant. She still needs you to be positive to her and nice to her and look after her and take care of her like a champion. Otherwise, she’s really good out there and getting better, I think.”
Five horse and rider pairs retired on course: Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit (CAN), Allison Springer and Vandyke, Alexander Bragg and Quindiva (GBR), Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic, and Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman.
Brooke Burchianti was eliminated after Cooley Space Gray had a refusal at 7b followed by two refusals at fence 17.
Three riders parted ways with their horses, but all parties walked away unharmed. Boyd Martin came off one of his two mounts, Luke 140, at the C element of Pierre’s Puzzle at 16 but came back to successfully complete the track with his second entry, Commando 3. Will Faudree was unseated from Mama’s Magic Way at fence 26, the Big Elk Oxer, and Caroline Pamukcu and She’s The One ran into trouble at the Quarry View Building Group Fox Catcher Flyer at 25, but Pamukcu successfully completed the course with her two other entries HSH Blake and HSH Tolan King.
A total of 13 will move forward tomorrow for the final horse inspection and show jumping, barring any overnight withdrawals.
The final horse inspection will take place at 9:00 a.m. EST on Sunday morning starting with the CCI3*-L field and the five-star contestants presenting immediately after. Show jumping for the five-star begins at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Helpful Links
Can't watch the livestream? Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!
Related Articles
Conner Answers All the Questions for Bosley at CCI3*-L at MARS Maryland 5 Star
While cross-country in the CCI3*-L at the MARS Maryland 5 Star definitely put horse and riders to the test, the top three after dressage answered the call, putting in double-clear rounds to hold onto their placings going into the final phase and leaving their dressage scores unmarred.
The Maryland 5 Star Daily: Cross-Country
Get your hiking shoes on, because it's cross-country day, and Pierre Le Goupil's inaugural five-star track at the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory is beyond exciting. With new jumps and a new take on the terrain, Le Goupil has set up tests unlike ones seen by Maryland...
All Eyes On Artist: Spencer and Her Thoroughbred Shine At MARS Maryland 5 Star
There’s a whole new crew leading the five-star at the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory at the conclusion of the second day of dressage, and New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and her Thoroughbred gelding Artist are leading the field with a five-point lead on a score of 23.7...
