Vogg Makes History for Switzerland with MARS Maryland 5 Star Win
Elkton, Md.—Oct. 19—Felix Vogg was the second to last rider to trot into the main arena at the MARS Maryland 5 Star on Sunday afternoon, and the pressure was on. He needed a double-clear round to at least secure his place as reserve champion, but there was the added pressure of knowing that if he could pull off a clear round, the potential for him to move up to top of the podium was there.
His partner, the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare Cartania (Cartani 4 x Schatzi), whom Vogg co-owns with Phoenix Eventing S.A.R.L., has not always been an easy ride for Vogg to bring along.
“When I got her, I didn’t know that she was so strong and temperamental,” he reflected. “But, on the cross-country, there is nothing that she cannot jump.”
And her FEI record reflects that, with the pair only having one 20 on cross-country at the start of their partnership in 2018. Their show jumping record, however, has been a bit hit or miss at the five-star level, but he’s been getting help from German trainer Marcus Döring.
“There was some pressure, but I know she can do it, and it was a bit out of my hands,” he said of their performance today. “Monica [Spencer] was quite in the lead, but yeah, [Cartania] tried so hard. And that’s how it is always like in life— if you need a woman, a strong woman, she's there.”
When overnight leader Spencer and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Artist (Guillotine x Maxamore) had two down in the last phase, Vogg knew his hard work had finally paid off as he earned the second five-star victory of his career and Cartania’s first FEI win. This win was one for the history books, marking Vogg as the only Swiss rider in history to win at the five-star level twice.
“It’s unreal,” he said. “There are two pretty good riders next to me on good horses. It’s just unbelievable—the horse was unbelievable.”
Vogg wouldn’t have been able to have attended Maryland had it not been for grant funding provided by the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation which aids international eventers with funds to help them with their travels to compete at the event.
“So many people say, ‘Oh, come over, come over,’ but costs are quite high, and to be honest, without that grant, I wouldn't be here. So I'm really thankful for that.”
Despite having the two down in the final phase, Spencer and “Max’s” impressive lead that they set for themselves in the first phase gave them enough cushion to snag the second spot on the podium at the end of the day.
“Max has had a big year,” shared Spencer. “He was eighth at Kentucky, and then he went to Aachen [Germany], and he was sixth there. Then he's come here and to get on to the podium, I’m just thrilled with him. He’s going to have a nice, big holiday.”
They finished on a score of 31.7, a personal best for the pair at the five-star level. Spencer came into the weekend with the hopes of having a podium finish, and she and her big-hearted partner were able to make that happen, despite the two rails down today.
“To be second at a five-star is the stuff dreams are made of,” she said. “So I'm keeping it real. I'm just happy to be here, and I'm happy to have had the lead I had to allow me to still be in this position I'm in.”
The double-clears were few and far between and definitely influential when they happened. Boyd Martin and Commando 3 delivered one of the four double-clear rounds today across Michel Vaillancourt’s show jumping round which moved them up from fifth to third.
“It's been a wonderful year for us and the horses. A huge congratulations to Felix and to Monica. Felix lived with us in America for about a year, and my wife is secretly in love with him,” he teased. “Obviously me and Monica are great mates; she's my next door neighbor. I’d love to win, but it's not so bad being third to these two champion riders. They're both fantastic people, a great horseman and horsewoman. I just feel honored to be here with them.”
He has been thrilled with the performance of the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding “Connor,” (Connor 48 x R-Adelgunde) this year.
“He's just been a champion this year. He's finished second at Kentucky and now third at Maryland, so he's had a wonderful year, and I think the best is still to come. And next year I'd like to hopefully try and win one of these things."
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