THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE ICONIC FAIR HILL SPECIAL EVENT ZONE IN CECIL COUNTY.

IT’S A BIG SPORTS DAY HERE ON MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

WE ARE BRINGING YOU THE FOURTH AND FINAL DAY OF THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL, PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

HELLO EVERYONE.

I'M NANCY YAMADA ON THE MPT SPORTS DESK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

IF YOU’RE ON THE GO TODAY, YOU CAN STILL CATCH ALL THE ACTION FROM FAIR HILL ON YOUR PHONE OR ANY MOBILE DEVICE.

JUST GO TO MPT.ORG/LIVESTREAM AND CLICK THE BUTTON.

OK, LET’S HEAD OUT TO FAIR HILL RIGHT NOW AND CHECK IN WEAPON AUSTIN O'CONNOR.

AUSTIN WAS THE 2023 WINNER OF THE MARYLAND 5 STAR.

BIG WIN FOR YOU, AUSTIN.

YOU WERE THE FIRST IRISH RIDER TO WIN THE 5 STAR IN CLOSE TO 60 YEARS.

TAKE US BACK TO THAT DAY.

HOW CHALLENGING WAS IT AND WHAT DO YOU RECALL ABOUT THE WIN?

THE.

>> THE WIN WAS A SURREAL MOMENT IN MY LIFE, TO BE HERE IN MARYLAND COMPETING AND TAKING PART IN THE 5 STAR WAS AN INCREDIBLE SITUATION.

AND TO GO ON AND WIN WAS SURREAL AND WITHOUT DOUBT, THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.

>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

I BELIEVE YOU WERE BEHIND AFTER THE FIRST COMPETITION.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH, SO I WOULD HAVE BEEN LYING ABOUT TENTH PLACE OFF DRESSAGE AND AFTER THE SPEED AND ENDURANCE ELEMENT CROSS-COUNTRY, I MOVED UP TO FOURTH AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN THE STADIUM BEHIND US AND THE THREE THAT CAME IN AFTER ME BECAUSE IT'S IN REVERSE ORDER OF MERIT, ALL HAD SOME FENCES DOWN SO I STARTED MIDDLE OF THE FIELD AND WORKED MY WAY UP TO WIN.

>> AMAZING.

OF THE THREE MAIN COMPETITIONS, WHAT IS THE HARDEST?

>> WE ARE ALL ADRENALINE JUNKIES IN THIS SPORT, SO THE CROSS-COUNTRY PHASE, FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, FROM THE PUBLIC'S POINT OF VIEW, IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND IT'S WHERE WE GET OUR RUSH AND IT'S WHERE PRIMARILY THE COMPETITION IS WON AND LOST-- WELL NOT WON AND LOST, BUT THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE IS CROSS COUNTRY DAY ON SATURDAY, ESPECIALLY HERE IN MARYLAND, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST CROSS COUNTRY COURSES IN THE WORLD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HEAR THE COURSE CHANGES EVERY YEAR.

TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

ARE THERE ANY SURPRISES?

>> NO, THEY HAVE A NEW COURSE DESIGNER THIS YEAR, PIERRE FROM FRANCE.

HE HAS TAKEN OVER FROM THE LEGENDARY IAN STARK WHO DID THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS.

HE HAS CERTAINLY KEPT THE STANDARD VERY HIGH.

BUT HE PUT HIS OWN FEEL TO IT.

SO IT WAS STILL A TOUGH CHALLENGE, BUT THERE WAS CHANGES AND HE PUT HIS OWN NEW MARK ON IT.

BUT KEPT THE SAME STANDARD.

>> WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE NOW BEFORE WE GO.

YOU WERE RIDING COLORADO BLUE WHEN YOU WON.

I HEAR YOU CALL HIM THE HORSE OF A LIFETIME.

WHY IS THAT?

>> WELL, HE HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW-- I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO WIN HERE.

I HAVE HAD FOUR PODIUM FINISHES AT THE THREE BIGGEST COMPETITIONS IN THE WORLD.

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF HORSES IN MY LIFE AND RIDDEN A LOT OF HORSES IN MY LIFE BUT THESE EXTRA SPESH HORSES THAT COME AND WIN IN PLACES HERE, THEY DON'T COME AROUND HERE VERY OFTEN.

HE IS NOT JUST A HORSE.

HE IS A GREAT FRIEND TO US AND I OWE HIM A LOT.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS KEY REALLY, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HORSE AND THE RIDER?

>> YEAH, ULTIMATELY IN THIS SPORT, IT'S ALL ABOUT PARTNERSHIP.

YOU'VE GOT TO TRUST THE HORSE.

THE HORSE HAS GOT TO TRUST YOU AND YOU'VE JUST GO GOT TO BE A TEAM.

>> AUSTIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US AND ENJOY THE LAST DAY OF COMPETITION.

>> WE CERTAINLY WILL.

THANK YOU.

>> IN A MOMENT, WE'LL TALK TO THE MARYLAND 5 STAR PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

BUT FIRST A PREVIEW OF THE CHARITY SHOW JUMPING EVENT AIMED AT RAISING FUNDS FOR RETIRED THOROUGHBREDS.

>> THEY HAVE SUCH A BIG HEART, THAT THEY WANT TO PLEASE AND THEY'RE VERY COMPETITIVE.

>> ANITA MOTION, THE FOUNDER OF THE REAL RIDER CUP SAID THE OFF TRACK THOROUGHBREDS AND THE CHARITY SHOW JUMPING EVENT ARE A SIGHT TO BEHOLD ALONG WITH THE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE HOPING TO BRING HOME THE WIN FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

>> WE HAVE HAD TEAMS OF JOCKEYS, TEAMS OF TRAINERS, WE'VE HAD TEAMS OF RACING BROADCAST PERSONALITIES, SO PEOPLE THAT ARE ON TV, PRESENTING THE RACES.

WE'VE HAD VETERINARIANS.

>> THEY SHARE A COMMON GOAL OF RAISING MONEY FOR THE AFTERCARE AND RETRAINING EFFORTS OF RETIRED HORSES, THE THREE NON-PROFIT BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE NEW VOCATIONS BEYOND THE WIRE AND THE RETIRED RACE HORSE PROJECT.

>> ALL OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE GOING TO BE UTILIZING THE FUNDS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

FOR US, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE DO AS AN ORGANIZATION IS AN EVENT CALLED THE THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER, WHICH IS A RETRAINING COMPETITION.

AND THAT'S KIND OF OUR FLAGSHIP THING.

>> PIERCING GREEN WITH THE RETIRED RACE HORSE PROJECT SAID THE THOROUGHBREDS ARE USUALLY READY TO RETIRE AFTER FIVE OR SIX YEARS OF AGE.

>> ALL OF THOSE HORSES HAVE SKILLS THAT TRANSLATE OVER TO OTHER THINGS AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROMOTE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS THEY'RE THROWN AWAY AND WASHED UP OR ANYTHING.

IT'S JUST THIS IS WHAT THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE THOROUGHBRED BREED LOOKS LIKE TO US.

SO WE ARE JUST REALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND THAT THERE IS DEMAND AND THAT THESE HORSES GET THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO GO FROM ONE PHASE OF THEIR CAREER TO THE NEXT.

>> MOST HORSES HAVE A VERY PRODUCTIVE SECOND CAREER IN THEM AND THEY DO LIVE UNTIL, SOME OF THEM UNTIL THEY'RE 30 YEARS PLUS.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF TIME LEFT AFTER THEIR RACING CAREER, WHICH NEEDS TO BE FILLED.

AND YOU KNOW, THEY CAN LIVE VERY PRODUCTIVE LIVES FOR A LONG TIME.

AND THEY, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE VERY SUITABLE FOR ANY DISCIPLINE.

>> AND THOUGH IT MAY BE A CHARITY EVENT, MOTION SAYS THE RIDERS TAKE THE COMPETITION SERIOUSLY.

>> OFTEN THE COMBINATION OF CONFIDENCE AND SKILL.

YOU HAVE TO GET AROUND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN AND AS CLEAN AS YOU CAN BECAUSE FOR EVERY RAIL THAT YOU HIT OR KNOCK DOWN, YOU ADD FOUR SECONDS TO YOUR TIME.

EVERY REFUSAL OR RUNOUT IS ANOTHER FOUR SECONDS.

>> A REAL SHOW THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BENEFIT THESE HORSES WELL AFTER THEIR DAYS COMPETING IN THE ARENA.

JOINING US NOW IS THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

JEFF NEWMAN.

THANKS FOR COMING IN.

TELL US HOW THEY VENT HAS GROWN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

YOU WERE THERE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

>> YEAH, SO FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION IS A GREAT PARTNER OF THE EVENT SINCE THE START.

SO OUR FIRST YEAR WAS 2021, COMING OFF THE PANDEMIC, AND EACH YEAR WE HAVE GROWN AND NOW WE ARE AT OVER 32,000 PEOPLE.

WE ARE BROADCAST LIVE STREAM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

REGIONALLY HERE WITH MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

IT'S JUST AN EVENT THAT'S REALLY LEAP FROGGED SIGNIFICANTLY IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> FOR SPECTATORS THIS IS REALLY SPECIAL BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF TWO 5 STAR EQUESTRIAN EVENTS IN THE U.S., RIGHT?

>> JUST THE 7th WORLDWIDE.

WE BECAME THE 7th BACK IN 2020 WHEN WE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST THIS 5 STAR.

5 STAR IS THE PINNACLE OF THE SPORT OF EVENTING, THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

BASICALLY THE GRAND SLAM OF THE SPORTS.

SO, YES, WE FEEL GREAT.

MARYLAND HAS SOMETHING REALLY UNIQUE AND SPECIAL HERE THAT THERE IS ONLY TWO IN THE THE U.S.

AND SEVEN IF THE WORLD.

>> NOW MARYLAND IS REALLY HAS BECOME THE HUB OF EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITY AND THIS COINCIDES WITH MARYLAND HORSE MONTH, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

WHY HAS MARYLAND BECOME SO BIG IN THE INDUSTRY?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, THERE ARE MORE HORSES PER SQUARE MILE IN MARYLAND THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

AND CECIL COUNTY ALSO HAS MORE HORSES PER SQUARE MILE THAN MOST COUNTIES.

SO IT'S A PERFECT LOCATION TO HOST THIS TYPE OF EVENT.

AND THE SPORT OF EVENTING, ACTUALLY MARYLAND HAS MORE EVENTING COMPETITIONS THAN ANY OTHER STATE AS WELL.

SO ADD ALL THOSE TOGETHER, AND IT'S THE PERFECT LOCATION.

>> NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COMPETITION.

THIS IS REALLY THE ULTIMATE TEST, NOT JUST FOR THE HORSES BUT THE RIDERS AS WELL.

>> YES.

SO THINK ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, LIKE IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THERE ARE OTHER LEVELS UNDERNEATH, 4 STAR 3 STAR 2 AND BEGINNER.

5 STAR IS THE TOP OF THE SPORT.

IT'S THE GRAND SLAM.

SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST, BOTH AS FROM THE HORSE SIDE AS WELL AS THE RIDER SIDE AND WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE IS THE TWO HAVE TO COMPETE TOGETHER EQUALLY AS ONE.

AND WHAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL IS MEN AND WOMEN COMPETE TOGETHER ON THE SAME STAGE TOGETHER, COMPETING FOR THE PRIZE.

SO IT REALLY IS A CHANCE-- THE SPORT CAME AROUND FROM REALLY TO GET HORSES AND RIDERS READY TO BATTLE.

IT WAS A CALVARY TEST SO IT STARTS WITH DRESSAGE WHICH REALLY TESTS YOU KNOW, THE TECHNIQUE OF THE HORSE AND RIDER.

AND THEN YESTERDAY WHEN WE HAD THE CROSS COUNTRY, THAT'S ABOUT THE ENDURANCE AND THE ABILITY TO GO THROUGH WATER AND TREES, ETC.

AND SHOW JUMPING CULMINATES TODAY WITH THE AGILITY.

SO ALL THREE OF THOSE COMBINED IS REALLY JUST AT THE TIMING THE HORSE AND THE RIDER THAT THEY CAN DO ALL OF THESE SKILLS TOGETHER AT ONCE, YOU KNOW, OVER THE COURSE OF THESE LAST THREE DAYS.

>> I HEARD YOU SAY THIS IS SIMILAR TO AN IRON MAN, ESSENTIALLY, RIGHT?

THEY HAVE TO BE GOOD AT ALL OF THESE EVENTS.

>> EXACTLY.

IT'S AN EQUESTRIAN TRIATHLON, LIKE IRON MAN COMPETITIONS, CERTAIN HORSES AND RIDERS MAY BE BETTER AT ONE PHASE THAN THE OTHER.

BUT HAVE YOU TO BE GOOD AT ALL THREE.

AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL.

SO LOWEST SCORE WINS, LIKE GOLF, THE LEAST PENALTY POINTS, THE LEAST PENALTY POINTS FROM NOT MAKING THE TIME, OBVIOUSLY IF HORSE AND RIDER, IF THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE A RIDER FELL OFF, YOU ARE OUT OF THE COMPETITION.

THAT'S WHAT CULMINATES TODAY.

IT REALLY IS EXCITING.

YOU GET THREE CHAPTERS BY SEE IS DRESSAGE, CROSS COUNTRY AND SHOW JUMPING.

SO IT'S WHAT MAKES IT SPORT COMPETITION VERSUS RACING.

>> TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS, THE RIDERS?

>> THEY COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

YEAH, WE'VE HAD RIDERS FROM SWITZERLAND, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, GREAT BRITAIN.

OBVIOUSLY TO COMPETE AGAINST THE U.S.

SO IT'S SORT OF LIKE A RED TIDIER CUP,-- RYDER CUP IF YOU WILL OF EQUESTRIAN SPORTS.

EVERY COUNTRY WANTS TO SHOWCASE THEY'RE THE PREEMINENT EQUESTRIAN SPORT COUNTRY, SO THEY COME FROM ALL OVER TO COMPETE AND IT'S EXCITING.

>> YOU SAID SOME OF THE HORSES COME FROM OVERSEAS AS WELL.

>> THEY DO.

THEY HITCH A RIDE ON COMMERCIAL AS WELL AS CARGO PLANES, DEPENDS ON THE TIME OF YEAR.

BUT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT PROCESS.

THEY COME BY PLANE AND THEN WE HAVE GROUND TRANSPORTATION THAT TAKES THEM FROM QUARANTINE AND THEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE SITE AND HOPEFULLY READY TO COMPETE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE TO BE THE IMPACT OF THE 5 STAR ON THIS STATE AND PARTICULARLY CECIL COUNTY?

SO LAST YEAR, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT WAS JUST OVER $19 MILLION.

SO BETWEEN ALL OF THE VISITORS, HEADS AND BEDS, AN EVENT YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO, SO ALL THE GAS AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH COMING TO AN OUTDORY VENT, BUT-- TO AN OUTDOOR EVENT.

CECIL COUNTY HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS AND PLACES THAT YOU CAN GO WHILE YOU ARE HERE SO OUR MOTTO IS COME FOR THE EVENT, STAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

AND WE WANT TO BE THE PLACE TO BE IN OCTOBER.

SO THERE IS A LOT TO DO HERE IN CECIL COUNTY.

BUT IT CREATES ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE STATE.

SO OBVIOUSLY HAVING MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION BROADCAST IT, LIVESTREAM IT, CERTAINLY GETS AWARENESS AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND ONCE THEY COME OUT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE HOOKED.

>> FOR THE SPECTATORS, THERE IS REALLY A LOT MORE TO DO AND SEE BEYOND THE COMPETITION, RIGHT?

>> SHORE SURE.

THROUGHOUT THE WEEK WE'VE HAD SPECIAL EVENTS.

WE HAVE A LOCAL FRESH FOOD FEST TODAY SHOWCASING LOCAL GROWERS.

WE HAVE KIDS CORNER, PONY RACING, WE HAVE OUR CORGI CUP TODAY WITH 125 CORGIS LINED UP.

SO THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

AND FAMILIES CAN COME OUT.

BEAUTIFUL FALL TIME OF YEAR IN CECIL COUNTY AND THEY CAN BRING THEIR DOG AND REALLY THE WHOLE FAMILY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT CORGI CUP.

I HAVE SEEN FOOTAGE OF IT AND IT IS HYSTERICAL.

I MEAN IT IS THE HIGHLIGHT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.

>> PEOPLE BUY TICKETS JUST TO SEE THE CORGIS.

IT REALLY IS SOMETHING AGAIN, WE WANT TO BRING AUDIENCES THAT ARE NOT JUST EQUESTRIAN FANS SO WE TRY TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AND WHO DOESN'T LIKE DOGS?

>> WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE?

IS THERE ANYTHING NEW YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THIS 5 STAR EVENT IN THE FUTURE?

>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO CREATE WHAT THIS MEANS TO MARYLAND.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE REALIZE THE PREAKNESS, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A PRIZE OF THE STATE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THE SAME WAY ABOUT THE MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL.

WE WANT TO BUILD AND CREATE THAT PRESTIGE AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO SEE SOMETHING GREAT FOR MARYLAND.

>> FOR THE SPECTATORS DO PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER?

>> YEAH, SO I MENTIONED IT BEFORE.

IT'S LIKE TENNIS AND GOLF, WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO SEE A GRAND SLAM.

A LOT OF THE EQUESTRIAN FANS AND EVENTING FANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL SAY I WANT TO CHECK THE BOX THAT I'VE BEEN TO ALL OF THEM.

SO IT BRINGS PEOPLE INTERNATIONALLY, NATIONALLY AND REGIONALLY.

AND, OF COURSE, HERE IN CECIL COUNTY.

SO THAT'S THE GOAL.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO MARYLAND, SPEND THEIR DOLLARS IN MARYLAND, CREATE THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME JUST HAVING A REAL FUN TIME IN CECIL COUNTY.

>> JEFF NEWMAN WITH THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR.

YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO LET'S BREAK IT DOWN.

5 STAR IS A FOUR-DAY EVENT THAT TESTS THE OVERALL ABILITY OF THE HORSE AND THE SKILL AND JUDGMENT OF THE RIDER.

THE FIRST PHASE IS DRESSAGE THAT TAKES PLACE OVER TWO DAYS AND SHOWS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HORSE AND RIDER WITH AN EMPHASIS ON OBEDIENCE AND HARMONY.

PHASE 2 TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY WITH CROSS COUNTRY.

AND NEARLY FOUR MILE TEST OF ENDURANCE WITH ABOUT 50 JUMPS.

TODAY IS THE FINAL PHASE, SHOW JUMPING WHERE PENALTIES ARE INCURRED FOR KNOCKING DOWN A JUMP, FAILING TO JUMP OR EXCEEDING THE TIME LIMIT.

THE HORSE AND RIDER WITH THE LEAST NUMBER OF COMBINED PENALTIES IS THE WINNER.

WHEN YOU ARE WATCHING THE MARYLAND 5 STAR COMPETITION, WILL YOU NOTICE THE RIDERS WEARING SPECIAL GEAR.

CHARLES ROBBIN'SON GOES SHOPPING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF GEAR THEY NEED TO COMPETE.

>> WE ARE SO LUCKY THE 5 STAR IS DOWN THE ROAD FROM US.

WE ARE A RETAILER OF ALL THE THINGS THAT 5 STAR RIDERS USE.

SO KNOWING THAT ONE OF THE SEVEN BIGGEST EVENTS IN THE WORLD IS IN OUR BACKYARD, IT WAS JUST A NO BRAINER.

>> IT HAS BEEN A WINDFALL FOR KIMBERLY CHICK AND HER HUSBAND WHO OWN FAIR HILL SADDLERY.

IN ADDITION TO HAVING A BRICK AND MORTAR STORE, THEY SET UP SHOP AT THE SITE OF THE MARYLAND 5 STAR.

>> THERE ARE TWO BIG DISCIPLINES.

YOU SEE THE ENGLISH SIDE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'LL SEE AT THE 5 STAR AND THEN THERE IS WESTERN RIDING, WHICH WHEN YOU THINK OF THE WILD WEST OR COWBOYS, THAT'S MORE THE STYLE THAT THEY RIDE IN.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY EQUIPMENT DIFFERENCES, APPAREL DIFFERENCES, SAFETY DIFFERENCES.

WE PRIMARILY FOCUS ON THE ENGLISH DISCIPLINE.

>> I WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW, I'M 6'3" TALL AND I ASKED THEM TO DRESS ME OR AT LEAST GET ME CLOSE ENOUGH TO SHOW YOU WHAT IT ALL LOOKS LIKE.

LET'S GO OVER HERE AND TAKE A LOOK.

>> OKAY.

>> SO, NOW I'M TRYING TO GET READY TO RIDE CROSS COUNTRY.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL EVERYBODY WHAT I HAVE ON.

>> GREAT, YOU HAVE TWO VERY IMPORTANT PIECES OF KIM.

YOU HAVE A HARD SHELL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR ALL RIDERS ON CROSS COUNTRY.

THIS PROTECTS YOUR BONES AND INTERNAL ORGANS IF YOU FALL OFF, GET STEPPED ON, ROLLED OVER ON.

SUPER GREAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

AND THEN ON TOP, WE'VE PUT AN AIR VEST WHICH IS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT.

SO JUST LIKE YOU HAVE AN AIR BAG IN YOUR CAR, THIS IS AN AIR BAG WHILE YOU RIDE HORSES.

SO IF YOU DEPART YOUR HORSE UNEXPECTANTLY, THIS WILL EXPLODE IN LESS THAN A SECOND AND YOU WILL HAVE A NICE AIR BAG TO LAND ON.

>> THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS.

BECAUSE THERE IS SOME OTHER GEAR YOU NEED TO WEAR.

>> WE NEED TALL BOOTS.

ALL RIDERS WEAR A NICE PAIR OF TALL BOOTS.

NEW FEATURE IS THEY ZIPPER UP THE BACK WHICH ESPECIALLY SURES A REALLY GREAT FIT.

>> AND WHEN YOU PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE.

>> WE HAVE THIS GREAT MANNEQUIN, A SHOW SHIRT, SHOW TIE, NICE TAILORED COAT AND YOUR PANTS AND BOOTS ON THE BOTTOM.

>> SO LET'S TRY ON THIS HAT.

>> OKAY.

>> SO WE ARE GOING TO PUT ON THE CHARLES OWEN HALO.

THIS IS A VERY POPULAR HELMET AMONGST THE RIDERS YOU WILL SEE AT THE 5 STAR.

THERE OR,-- THERE YOU ARE, SIR.

EXCELLENT.

>> TA-DAH.

>> WE SHIP NATIONWIDE.

ALASKA, PUERTO RICO, HAWAII.

WE OFFER SAFETY FITTING SERVICES WORLDWIDE.

I'VE DONE ZOOM FITTINGS IN JAPAN AND SOUTH AFRICA FOR PEOPLE WHO JUST NEED SUPPORT WITH THEIR SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

SO WE SCHEDULE A ZOOM, WE TALK AND HELP THEM FIND THE BEST ITEMS FOR THEIR NEEDS.

WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST HELMET RETAILERS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.

RIGHT HERE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WALL ARE HELMETS FROM CHARLES ZOHEN.

A LEADER OF SAFETY AND INNOVATION WITHIN THE SAFETY WORLD.

MOST OF THESE HELL-- MOST OF THESE HELMETS ARE HANDMADE IN THE U.K.

I'VE BEEN THERE AND WATCHED THE PROCESS.

IT'S IMPRESSIVE TO WATCH.

>> THE STORE HAS A PLETHORA OF MATERIALS FOR THE NOVICE AND EXPERIENCED RIDERS.

CHICK REMINDS ME STORES LIKE THIS ARE DWINDLING, YET SHE IS SURVIVING.

I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR THE MPT SPORTS DESK.

>> JOINING US NOW IS THE MARYLAND 5 STAR COMPETITION DIRECTOR JOANIE MORRIS.

WELCOME, JOANIE.

TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE COMPETITION AND HOW THE EVENTS DIFFER.

>> SURE.

THIS IS ONE OF SEVEN 5 STAR EVENTS IN THE WORLD.

AND THEY'RE VERY DIFFICULT TO QUALIFY FOR SO YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BEST OF THE BEST HERE.

THE THREE PHASES, SO IT'S A TRIATHLON.

THESE HORSES ARE THE ULTIMATE ATHLETES IN THE OPINION OF MANY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DO THREE VERY DIFFERENT PHASES AND THE CULMINATION OF THE PHASES ENDS UP BEING THEIR SCORE.

DRESSAGE IS THE FIRST PHASE GIVING THEM THEIR FIRST BASE PENALTY STORE.

THE HORSES AND RIDERS DO THE SAME MOVEMENTS.

LIKE IN FIGURE SKATING WHEN EVERYONE DOES THE SAME PATTERN.

NEXT DAY IS CROSS COUNTRY WHERE THERE IS AN OPTIMUM TIME.

IT'S NOT LIKE A RACE.

BASICALLY THERE IS THE COURSE IS MEASURED.

AND THERE IS A DESIGNATED SPEED AND THE HORSES THAT COMPLETE THE COURSE WITH NO PENALTIES ADD NO POINTS TO THE DRESSAGE TIME.

IT CULMINATES ON SUNDAY, THE MOST EXCITING DAY AS FAR AS THE WRAP-UP BECAUSE IT'S A SHOW JUMPING COURSE AND REQUIRES A HUGE AMOUNT OF DETAIL, ATTENTION AND IT'S TECHNICAL AND YOU WANT TO ADD NO PENALTIES TO THAT SCORE.

LOW SCORE WINS.

YOU ARE ASKING A HORSE TO BASICALLY FIGURE SKATE, RUN A MARATHON AND THEN COME BACK AND DO AN AGILITY COURSE.

>> AND I IMAGINE THAT THIS REALLY DOES REQUIRE SO MUCH OF THE HORSES AND THE RIDERS, GIVEN THAT IT'S BACK-TO-BACK.

IT'S NOT THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF DOWN TIME BETWEEN THESE EVENTS.

>> THEY DON'T.

LETTING THE HORSES REFT AND HAVE THAT-- REST AND HAVE THE DOWN TIME BETWEEN THE DAYS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BUT THESE HORSES ARE TAKEN CARE OF BETTER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.

THEY HAVE GROOMS THAT TRAVEL WITH THEM THAT MAKE SURE THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THEY WANT AND NEED.

THEY HAVE PHYSIOS THAT WORK ON THEM.

THEY ARE TREATED LIKE THE ELITE ATHLETES THEY ARE AND THE HORSES AND RIDERS HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE COMPETITIONS THAT LEAD UP TO THIS EVENT.

THEY COME UP WITH A SYSTEM THAT HELPS THEM HAVE THEIR BEST PERFORMANCE ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

>> HORSES IN GENERAL, DO THEY LIKE TO TRAIN, ARE THEY THE EASIEST TO TRAIN.

>> TO BE THE BEST OF EVENTING HORSES IN THE WORLD, THEY HAVE TO BE REALLY GOOD ATHLETES BUT IT'S NO GOOD IF THEY'RE A GOOD ATHLETE BUT NOT INTERESTED IN DOING WHAT YOU ARE WANT THEM TO DO.

SO THESE HORSES ARE HIGHLY TRAINABLE.

THE ONES THAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE, AND THEY LOVE THIS SPORT.

ITE TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET THE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TO COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THIS SPORT SO THESE HORSES ARE-- AND RIDERS ARE WORK TOGETHER DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

LIKE I SAID, THE GROOMS ARE WORKING WITH THEM DAY IN AND DAY OUTI TAKING CARE OF THEM, FIGURE OUT WHAT MAKES THEM TICK AND WHAT THEY NEED TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST.

THE HORSES ENJOY THE SPORT AND THEY JUST, YOU SEE THEM GETTING READY FOR CROSS COUNTRY AND THEY LIGHT UP AND THEY'RE REALLY EXCITED AND THEN THEY COME OUT HERE AND THEY'RE SUPER FOCUSED FOR THE SHOW JUMPING.

IT'S PRETTY COOL.

WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING SOME OF THESE HORSES FOR A LONG TIME.

SOME OF THEM COMPETED IN THE 3 STAR IN PREVIOUS YEARS OR COMING UP THROUGH THE YOUNG EVENT HORSE PROGRAM INTO THE 3 AND 5 STAR LEVEL.

YOU SEE THEM DEVELOP AND IT'S LIKE WATCHING KIDS GROW UP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE SEEING THEM ON THE WORLD STAGE AND WATCHING THEM EXCEL AND IT'S REALLY COOL.

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOW OLD ARE THESE HORSES WHEN THEY'RE MOST COMPETITIVE?

>> 12 WOULD BE THE SWEET SPOT BUT THAT WOULD BE THE AVERAGE AGE BUT THERE ARE 10 YEAR OLDS AND UP TO 17, 18-YEAR-OLD HORSES.

THERE IS SOME LONGEVITY IN THE HORSES DOING THIS WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO HOW WELL THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF AND HOW MUCH THEY ENJOY THE SPORT.

THE SURFACES THEY COMPETE ON LIKE HERE AT FAIR HILL, THIS TURF IS SECOND TO NONE.

YOU CAN SEE HOW GREEN IT IS.

YOU WALK ON IT AND IT'S LIKE A SPONGY CUSHION AND THE MAIN ARENA THEY SHOW JUMP AND DO THE DRESSAGE ON IS THE SAME.

IT'S A SCIENCE PROJECT TO GET THESE SURFACES ALL PREPARED AND WE HAVE A HUGE TEAM THAT WORKS ON THAT AND THAT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER ON THE HORSES TO RUN ON THESE GOOD SURFACES.

IN THE OLD DAYS HOWEVER THE GROUND WAS, THE GROUND WAS.

NOW WE ARE OUT HERE WATERING, AERATING AND MAKING IT PERFECT SO THE HORSES GET THE BEST FACILITIES TO PERFORM ON.

>> I IMAGINE THE WEATHER PLAYS A ROLE IN THE COMPETITION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LAST YEAR WE HAD A HORRIBLE DROUGHT, ALL SUMMER AND INTO THE EARLY FALL.

AND WE ACTUALLY PUT 300,000 GALLONS OF WATER ON THE SURFACES BETWEEN THE ARENA AND CROSS COUNTRY COURSE FOR THE HORSES TO COMPETE ON.

A HE CANNER CLEAN-- THIS WAS AN ADDED COMPONENT.

THIS YEAR THE WEATHER HAS BEEN KINDER TO US BUT NOT AS MUCH RAIN AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED SO AGAIN THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF PREPARATION AND WORK GOING INTO IT.

BUT THE COMPETITION HAPPENS RAIN OR SHINE, SO DEPENDING ON-- IT'S AN OUTDOOR SPORT AND WE HAVE DIE HARD FANS THAT COME OUT NO MATTER WHAT AND THE HORSES AND RIDERS RESPOND TO IT BUT CAN CERTAINLY CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE COMPETITION.

IF IT IS REALLY, REALLY WET AND THE GROUND IS MUDDY, THEN THE CROSS COUNTRY COURSE RUNS SLOWER AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE MORE TIME.

BUT THE TURF HERE IS SO GOOD THAT WE ARE REALLY FORTUNATE THAT IT SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO WITH STAND ANYTHING MOTHER NATURE THROWS AT US.

>> YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE HORSE AND THE RIDER THAT RELATIONSHIP.

HOW IMPORTANT IS CHEMISTRY WHEN IT COMES TO COMPETING?

>> IT'S SO CRITICAL.

THESE HORSES, THEY KNOW THEIR PEOPLE.

THEY KNOW THEIR JOB.

AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO PREPARE A HORSE TO GET TO THIS LEVEL.

THERE IS A QUALIFYING PROCESS HAVE YOU TO GO THROUGH.

SO NANCY, YOU COULDN'T JUST SAY I'M GOING TO TAKE UP EVENTING AND BUY A 5 STAR HORSE AND TAKE IT TO THE EVENT NEXT YEAR WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE OTHER LEVELS HAVE YOU TO BUILD UP TO TO GET TO THIS POINT, STARTING AT THE 1 AND 2 STAR LEVEL AND THEN 3 STAR LIKE WE HAVE HERE, 4 AND 5 STAR ARE THE ADVANCED, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE SPORT AND 5 STAR IS THE PINNACLE.

PRODUCING THESE HORSES TAKES SIX, SEVEN YEARS TO GET THEM TO THIS LEVEL.

SO YOU BUY A FOUR-YEAR-OLD HORSE, LIKE SOME OF THE ONES WE HAD AT THE YOUNG EVENT HORSE COMPETITION AND YOU THINK, OKAY, SO IN SIX YEARS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY WILL BE HERE AT THE 5 STAR BUT THAT IS PROBABLY ABOUT AS QUICKLY AS YOU COULD GET THEM HERE.

MAYBE FIVE YEARS BUT PROBABLY SIX YEARS.

SO, AND OF COURSE HORSES GET SOLD OR A HORSE MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ONE RIDER AND SOLD TO ANOTHER RIDER AND MIGHT REALLY OPERATE FOR THAT RIDER IN A WAY DIFFERENTLY THAN IT DID FOR ANOTHER RIDER.

THEY'RE INDIVIDUALS, RIGHT?

AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES AND IT'S JUST ABOUT FINDING THE RIGHT FIT AND THEN MANAGING THEM ACCORDINGLY AND GETTING THEM TO THESE MAJOR EVENTS.

IT'S A BIG DEAL TO GET THEM TO ONE OF THESE MAJOR EVENTS AND WE HAVE HORSES THAT YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT KEEP RETURNING TO THE LEVEL AND IT'S COOL TO SEE THEM ONCE THEY'RE THAT EXPERIENCED AND THEY REALLY ENJOY WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND ENJOY THE RELATIONSHIP THEY HAVE WITH THEIR RIDER.

>> IT'S SO INTERESTING TO ME THAT MEN AND WOMEN COMPETE IN THE SAME EVENTS.

YOU DON'T SEE THAT TOO OFTEN IN OTHER SPORTS.

>> NO, YOU DON'T.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER SPORTS LIKE SAILING IS THE SAME WAY AND CERTAIN SAILING SPORTS.

BUT IT'S REALLY UNIQUE BUT IT'S NOT A SPORT WHERE BEING STRONG IS THE ANSWER.

IT'S BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH TO IT AND SUCH A VARIETY OF SKILLS NEEDED TO DO IT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE OF ALL LIKE TALL PEOPLE, SMALL PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WOMEN, MEN.

EVERYONE CAN COMPETE EQUALLY.

WE'VE HAD OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS, FEMALE AND MALE OVER THE YEARS AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE THINKS ABOUT THAT GOING IN.

LIKE OH WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT RIDER IS MALE OR FEMALE THEREFORE THEY WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE.

IT'S REALLY WHO IS THE BEST ON THE DAY.

IT'S ALSO A SPORT WHERE, EXCUSE ME, PEOPLE COMPETE FROM ALL AGES.

WE HAVE PEOPLE VYING FOR THESE TOP SPOTS ON OUR TEAMS AND THEY'RE IN THEIR EARLY 60S.

IT'S NOT LIKE THERE ARE SOME SPORTS WHERE YOUNGER IS BETTER AND I THINK THIS IS A SPORT WHERE I MEAN, YES, OBVIOUSLY PHYSICALLY WHEN YOU ARE YOUNGER, YOU ARE A LITTLE MORE AGILE, DON'T HAVE AS MANY BUMPS AND BRUISES BUT EXPERIENCE PLAYS A HUGE PART IN THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO TWO COURSES ARE THE SAME, NO TWO HORSES ARE THE SAME.

THE MORE YOU DO IT, THE MORE EXPERIENCE YOU GET AND THE MORE READY YOU ARE FOR ANYTHING THAT IS THROWN AT YOU.

MEN AND WOMEN COMPETE EQUALLY AND CROSS GENERATIONAL AS WELL.

>> DOES THE COURSE CHANGE YEAR TO YEAR.

>> EVERY YEAR, YEAH SO THE BASIC TRACK THAT THE FOUR-MILE TRACK THAT THE HORSES RUN ON THAT IS PREPARED BY THE TEAM AND THE TURF, THAT STAYS PRETTY SIMILAR AND WE REUSE CERTAIN, YOU KNOW, WATER COMPLEXES AND OBSTACLES, BUT THEY ALL GET MOVED AROUND AND THE QUESTIONS ARE ALL DIFFERENT.

YOU COULD BRING A HORSE FIVE YEARS IN A ROW AND IT WOULD BE FIVE VERY DIFFERENT COURSES THEY WOULD JUMP.

THE DRESSAGE TEST IS DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR AN THE SHOW JUMPING TRACK IS BRAND NEW EVERY YEAR, TOO.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE-- PEOPLE DO LIKE TO GO TO ALL THE DIFFERENT EVENTS FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND THERE IS GO TO EUROPE AND COMPETE BUT COULD YOU COMPETE AT A 5 STAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE EVERY TIME.

>> WHO IS JUDGING THE COMPETITION?

>> THE JUDGES, WE HAVE A PANEL OF JUDGES THAT WE WORK WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.

SO THERE IS THREE JUDGES CALLED THE GROUND JURY AND A LOT OF TIMES HAVE COMPETED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, THEY'RE ALL VERY, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THE SPORT FROM ENGLAND AND THE U.S.

THIS YEAR SO WE VO A VARIETY THAT WAY.

A PRETTY INTERNATIONAL SPORT AND THEY JUDGE THE DRESSAGE AND OVERSEE THE BALANCE OF THE COMPETITION AS WELL.

CROSS COUNTRY IS NOT JUDGED AS FAR AS WHO LOOKS THE MOST STYLISH WHEN THEY DID IT.

IT'S ABOUT JUMPING CLEAR AND BEING SAFE AND NOT HAVING ANY PENALTIES ADDED BUT THEY OVERSEE THE ENTIRE COMPETITION.

>> HOW CLOSE CAN SPECTATORS GET TO THE COMPETITORS AND THE HORSES?

>> THEY CAN GET PRETTY CLOSE.

I MEAN THEY CAN STAND RIGHT ON THE ROPES OF THE GALLOPING LANES WHEN THEY'RE GOING AROUND THE CROSS COUNTRY AND SIT RIGHT UP ON THE RAIL FOR THE SHOW JUMPING BUT WE ALSO HAVE-- WE HAVE HEARD FEEDBACK OVER THE YEARS AT MAJOR EVENTS BUT THEY JUST WANT TO TOUCH A HORSE, INTERACT WITH A HORSE.

SO WE HAVE A HALL OF CHAMPIONS HERE, FORMER HORSES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE COMPETED AT THE 5 STAR IN THE PAST BUT WE HAVE HORSES THAT HAVE BEEN TO THE OLYMPICS, HORSES THAT HAVE WON MAJOR EVENTS AND THEY'RE DOWN IN THE INFIELD AND YOU CAN GO DOWN THERE, FEED THEM TREATS, INTERACT WITH THEM.

SOME OF THE RIDERS WILL BE DO UNTHERE SO YOU CAN TALK TO BOYD MARTIN OR PHILLIP DUTTON BECAUSE THEIR HORSES ARE DOWN THERE.

IT'S A PRETTY BIG DEAL AND THEIR ARE HORSES THAT ARE VERY FAMOUS IN THEIR UNIVERSE.

THEY'RE HOUSEHOLD NAMES IN THE EVENTING COMMUNITY.

>> JOANIE MORRIS, 5 STAR COMPETITION DIRECTOR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THE MPT SPORTS DESK.

FOR EVERYONE ON THE TEAM, I'M NANCY YAMADA.

DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

OUR COVERAGE OF THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR BEGINS RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE FINAL DAY OF COMPETITION HERE AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

IT ALL HAPPENED YESTERDAY OUT ON PIERRE Le GOUPIL'S COURSE BUT TODAY WE WILL FIND OUT WHO WILL BE NAMED THE 2025 MARYLAND 5 STAR CHAMPION.

FRANKIE, BIG DAY YESTERDAY, BIGGER DAY TODAY.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS MOVING INTO THE FINAL DAY OF COMPETITION?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, A REALLY BIG TRICKY TRACK THEY TACKLED OUT THERE YESTERDAY AND THESE HORSES LOOKED ON FORM.

THE GROUND WAS AMAZING AND WE SAW MIXED BAG OF TROUBLE ALL AROUND PIERRE'S TRACK AS YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FIND AT THE 5 STAR LEVEL.

BUT TODAY IS A NEW DAY AND IT'S THE DAY IN WHICH OUR CHAMPIONS ARE MADE AND CROWNED HERE IN THE BIG RING.

THERE IS A LOT OF RAILS THAT FELL EARLIER IN OUR 3 STAR DIVISION AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE SAME HERE WITH LEADERBOARD SHAKEUPS SOME HORSES WHO MAY NOT BE THE BEST JUMPERS IN THE FIELD AND NOT A TON OF BREATHING ROOM AT THE TOP SINEAD.

>> WE HAVE A GOOD VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS OF SPORT.

>> WELCOME BACK TO DAY 2 OF THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

HERE WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT COULD VERY QUICKLY CHALLENGE THAT LEADERBOARD, ONE OF THE FORECASTED TOP PLACING HORSES HERE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR MONICA SPENCER AND HER BEAUTIFUL THOROUGHBRED ARTIST, JUST 14 YEARS OLD BY GUILLOTINE OUT OF MAXAMORE.

>> VERY PLEASANT IN THE SHOULDERS.

NICE VERY.

SO THERE IS A NICE ENGAGEMENT HERE, HIND COMES NICELY FORWARD AND UNDER, ESPECIALLY FOR-- IS THIS A FULL THOROUGHBRED.

>> FULL THOROUGHBRED.

>> YEAH, VERY, VERY CLASSY HORSE.

>> MONICA SAW THIS HORSE AS A FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN A COMPETITION ACROSS THE FIELD AND SAID THAT HAS TO BE MINE AND HERE WE ARE.

>> I CAN SEE WHY.

ABSOLUTELY LOVELY BEND AROUND HER RIGHT LEG, STEADY, MAINTAINS THE UPHILL FEELING WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE HALF PASS BECAUSE IT IS A COLLECTIVE EXERCISE.

LOVELY SHOULDER IN, NICE THREE TRACKS.

FLUENTLY OVER INTO THE HALF PASS TO THE LEFT.

FLIESLY IN THE CENTER-- NICELY IN THE CENTER.

YEAH, ESPECIALLY FOR A THOROUGHBRED, GREAT EXPRESSION IN THAT EXTENSION WONDERFUL.

NICE HALT.

BEAUTIFUL.

TINY BIT OF A RESISTANCE IN THAT REIN BACK.

YOU CAN SEE THAT.

MANAGED IT VERY WELL.

>> MONICA BASED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

ONE OF THE KIWI RIDERS THAT DECIDED TO COME THIS SIDE, BUT... >> SEE HOW EVEN HERE FOR A THOROUGHBRED, ESPECIALLY IN THE WALK.

THAT'S WHEN THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO TENSE UP MORE, SHORTER STRIDES.

LOVELY STRIDE, SEEKING FOR THE BIT.

GREAT MARCH.

HOLDS THE RHYTHM THERE.

SEE HOW HE GOES INTO THE CANTER.

NICELY DONE VERY EXPRESSIVE.

BEAUTIFUL CANTER.

COVERS NICELY, GROUND DIDN'T SPEED UP, DIDN'T GET HURRIED.

BEAUTIFUL CHANGE, NICE AND CALM.

STAYED IN THE SAME RHYTHM.

THERE, LOST A TINY BIT OF THE BENT.

BUT NOW I'M BEING VERY CRITICAL.

LOVELY EXPRESSION, VERY BOLD, NICELY BOLD, GOOD GROUND COVER.

WELL HELD IN THE COUNTER CANTER BEAUTIFUL CHANGE.

WHAT AN EXPRESSIVE HORSE.

HE IS VERY LUCKY WITH THIS HORSE.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THAT A LITTLE BIT BETTER IN MY OPINION, SO HE IS NOT QUITE SEEKING FOR THE CONNECTION FORWARDS.

>> I THINK WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO SEEING OUR FIRST HORSE MAYBE CRACK THAT 30 BARRIER WITH TAYE SIT AGO TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD WITH 30.4.

>> NICE CHANGE AGAIN, VERY CLEAN TEST.

ARTIST HAS HAD 14 SUB 30S AND 4 AND 5 STAR.

>> AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSION THE HORSE HAS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TEST.

NICE TRANSITION TO THE TROT.

WELL DONE PERFECTLY STRAIGHT.

NICE THE CROWD GOES WILD HERE AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR.

PRETTY CONVINCING WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW LEADER.

TAYLA DIDN'T GET TO ENJOY THAT PODIUM SPOT FOR TOO LONG AS MONICA AND HER LONG TIME PARTNER ARTIST LAID DOWN THE GAUNTLET HERE AT THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR.

>> SUPER PLEASANT TEST TO WATCH.

>> I WOULD GO FOR A BIGGER ADJECTIVE THAN THAT.

PLEASANT.

>> WONDERFUL.

>> GETTING BETTER.

IT'S HARD TO GET THESE DRESSAGE GUYS EXCITED.

THE CROWD GIVING HER A WELL DESERVED CHEER.

AND IF YOU ARE LIKING WHAT YOU SEE HERE AND WANT TO LISTEN TO MORE, COME HERE, GET A RADIO, TAYLOR HARRIS INSURANCE RADIO, YOU CAN HAVE US IN YOUR EAR THE WHOLE WEEK SO YOU CAN HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON AND ALL TO SEE HERE AT THE ALL TECH ATWOOD ARENA.

>> AND THAT HORSE IS SO GAME AND TO PLAY IN THE RING WITH HER.

>> A NEW PERSONAL BEST FOR MONICA SPENCER... >> AND JUST REALLY, THE ENERGY, RIGHT READINESS AND TIMING.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> BEAUTIFUL CHANGES.

>> LOOK AT THE CLEAR THREE BEATS.

THE CHANGES ARE WONDERFUL.

LOOK HOW EFFORTLESS THAT IS.

AND ESPECIALLY AS WE SAID, THESE HORSES ARE SO FIT AND THEY'RE TENSE AND HOW HE CARRIED HIMSELF THROUGHOUT THAT WHOLE TEST, IT WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

>> AND SHE HOPS RIGHT OFF AS A SCORE COMES IN AND NEW LEADER 23.7.

SHE DID NOT JUST TIP PAST THAT BARRIER.

SHE BLASTED THROUGH IT.

SHE PUTS A HEALTHY MARGIN FOR HERSELF UP AT THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD AND IT TRULY WAS IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN.

>> WELL DESERVED.

>> WE HAVE OUR FINAL STANDINGS HERE AT TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD, MONICA SPENCER AND ARTIST FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY CAROLINE PAMUKCU AND HSH BLAKE.

THIRD PLACE SWISS RIDER FELIX VOGG AND CARTANIA.

BOYD MARTIN CLOSELY BEHIND ON COMMANDO 3.

THEN A TIE WITH JONELLE PRICE AND ARDEN WILDASIN.

AND BOYD BOITD AND LUKE 140.

EIGHTH CAROLINE PAMUKCU AND SHE IS THE ONE, NINTH PLACE MIA FARLEY AND PHELPS.

CANDYMAN TWECHTH.

MARY BESS DAVIS IMPERIO MAGIC AND THREE ATOP OF TOP 20, CAROLINE PAMUKCU HSH TOLAN KING FOLLOWED BY SHANNON LILLEY, ALEXANDER BRAGG, JESSICA PHOENIX.

17th PLACE WILL FAUDREE, MAMA'S MAGIC WAY AND ROUNDING OUT THERE WE HAVE ARDEN WILDASIN SUNDAY TIMES, SOPHIA HILL AND HUMBLE GLORY.

IT WAS AN EXCITING DAY HERE AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL AT 22 COMBINATIONS TOOK ON PIERRE Le GOUPIL'S 5 STAR TRACK.

AND HERE WE HAVE IT IN FIRST PLACE HEADED OUT OF THE BOX.

MONICA SPENCER AND ARTIST.

THEY HAVE A 4.5 LEAD HEADING INTO THE CROSS COUNTRY AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FIRST PHASE MARGINS ACROSS 1125 STAR EVENTS SINCE 2008.

>> GOING BY THE FORM BOOK WITH THIS COMBINATION, WE SHOULD BE FOR A TREAT I HOPE.

>> FASCINATING WATCHING THE DRESSAGE YESTERDAY, AUSTIN BECAUSE HE LOOKS SO MUCH EVEN STRONGER THAN HE HAS IN TIMES PAST.

HE IS 14 YEARS OLD.

HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL MOVIE, DRESSAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A NICE PHASE FOR HIM BUT HE LOOKED LIKE HE HAD ANOTHER LEVEL OF FITNESS AND STRENGTH TO HIM.

>> FIND THAT WITH EVENT HORSES THOUGH, THE MORE THEY GO ON, THE STRONGER, ESPECIALLY WHAT I CALL THE BLOOD HORSES.

AND IF YOU ARE LUCKY IN YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE GRADES, THEY KEEP MATURING AND GETTING STRONGER.

AND IT WAS STUNNING ON THE FLASH.

>> SHE WILL KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF JUMPS TO JUMP.

LOOK AT THAT SHOT.

TALK ABOUT A WING SPAN.

>> SHE WILL HAVE HER PLAN AND SHE WILL HAVE HAD FEEDBACK AND SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE IS INTENDING TO DO.

>> YOU KNOW, FOR THEIR LAST THREE 5 STARS, THEY HAVE ADDED .8 TIME PENALTIES, TWO SECONDS AT KENTUCKY, 8.4 TIME AT BURLEY AND 12.4 TIME AT KENTUCKY.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE TAYLA HAS FINISHED ADDING 13 SECONDS OF TIME BUT SHE HAS 60 JUMP PENALTIES ON THE BOARD THERE SO THAT WILL HAVE HER ON A 95.6 BUT DEFINITELY SOME OF THOSE PENALTIES UNDER INVESTIGATION SO WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS WE KNOW MORE AS WE HAVE MONICA.

FIRST BIG QUESTION.

>> PERFECT.

SHE IS DEFINITELY A LADY ON A MISSION.

>> TALKING ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE PUT OUT IN FRONT OF YOU, SHE KNOWS THAT THIS OF ANY HORSE IN THE FIELD IS CAPABLE OF JUMPING A CLEAR HERE AND FAST CLEAR.

THIS IS SUCH A GOOD PARTNERSHIP.

SHE HAS BROUGHT THE HORSE THROUGH THE GRADE SINCE HE WAS A FOUR-YEAR-OLD.

HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH HIM.

WE SEE HERE THAT MARY BESS HAS DECIDED TO CALL IT A DAY, UNFORTUNATELY WITH IMPERIO MAGIC.

HER HAND UP IN THE AIR.

WE SEE A 20 ON THE BOARD BUT WE WILL GET MORE TO IT WHEN WE SEE IT.

BOTH HORSE AND RIDER SAFE AND SOUND, SAVING IT FOR ANOTHER DAY.

>> GOOD STUFF.

A FEW OF THESE HORSES, JENNIE BRANNIGAN'S HORSE, ACTUALLY ALEXANDER BRAGG'S HORSE, WILL FAUDREE MADE SUCH EASY WORK OF THAT QUESTION.

IT WAS NEVER A QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> NEVER A QUESTION BUT I THINK, THE FOUR HORSES YOU HAVE MENTIONED YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE THEY'VE GOT PLENTY OF MILES ON THEIR CLOCK.

IT'S NOT THEIR FIRST RODEO AS YOU SAID EARLIER.

AND THAT IS A BIG HELP.

AND THERE YOU JUST SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CONFIDENCE AND THE JUMPING COMPARED TO OUR PREVIOUS TWO HORSES.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT HE DOES EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

SHE LOOKS BEHIND.

SHE MUST HAVE HEARD HIM RATTLE THAT A LITTLE BIT BUT IT ALL LOOKS SAFE AND GOOD.

AND HERE WE HAVE BROOKE BURCHIANTI STARTING SLIGHTLY OUT OF ORDER.

SHE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE WITH A FALL IN THE WARMUP BUT SHE TAKES OFF ON HER SECOND 5 STAR HERE WITH COOLEY SPACE GREY.

>> FLYING PAST THE 3 STAR BOX THAT GOT JUMPED EARLIER.

BEAUTIFUL SHOT HERE.

YOU CAN SEE THE CROWDS WATCHING A BEAUTIFUL DAY OF SPORT.

PIERRE'S PUZZLE AS MONICA HEADS DOWN JUST TWO OR THREE OF THESE COMBINATIONS IS MAKING YOU RIDE REACTIVELY.

>> AND SHE KNOWS SHE HAS A LITTLE BIT OF TIME THERE SO SHE REALLY SETS UP, MAKES SURE SHE GETS THOSE EFFORTS DONE AND IT'S INTERESTING WATCHING THOSE HORSES THERE BECAUSE PIERRE ON SAID, I SPOKE TO HIM ON WEDNESDAY ABOUT THE TRACK AND HE SAID THAT BRUSH IS REALLY SOFT.

THE HORSES WILL JUST PUSH THROUGH IT AND YOU SEE THAT LITTLE HESITATION WHILE THE HORSES ARE READING IT AND THEY DO WRAP RIGHT AROUND IT.

>> INTERESTINGLY, MONICA IS ABOUT FIVE SECONDS UP IN THE CLOCK NOW SO SHE IS RIGHT THERE.

>> MAYBE I'LL TAKE IT BACK AND PUT MY TWO CLEARS BACK ON THE TABLE.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A FAST HORSE, TOO, AUSTIN.

AS YOU KNOW WITH YOUR HORSE, IT'S HARD TO RIDE A FAST HORSE SLOW.

>> YEAH, IT IS.

AND IT'S JUST NATURALLY MAKES THE JOB THAT MUCH EASIER.

HE HAS COME UP THIS LONG HILL HERE AND HE IS JUST IN A CABTER.

-- HE IS JUST IN A CANTER.

A GOOD FEELING.

I'VE WATCHED MONICA FOR A FEW YEARS NOW AND SHE MUST WORK VERY HARD AT THE GAME BECAUSE SHE HAS MATURED AS A RIDER AND DEVELOPED AND THIS IS THE RESULT.

>> YOU KNOW, SHE IS REALLY-- SHE IS THE COOLEST GIRL AND SHE HAS MADE FAST FRIENDS HERE BASED WITH SEVERAL OF THE TOP RIDERS.

ONE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, TO RIDE WITH THE BEST AND THAT'S WHAT SHE HAS DONE AND SHE IS TURNING INTO ONE OF THE BEST.

YOU CAN SEE THE WATER BEFORE HER, BEING REALLY CAREFUL MAKING SURE THE BOUNCES ARE ON PINS AND HERE SHE SETS UP.

SETS UP FOR THE BIG DROP.

>> THAT WAS ALWAYS A BIT OF A DANGER, THREE STRIKES, FOUR STRIKES, SHE GOT THERE IN THREE AND A HALF.

THAT HAPPENS.

SHE GOT AWAY WITH IT.

>> AND THERE IS THAT NEXT GEAR.

>> THAT'S SOME FEELING, ISN'T IT?

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS JUST TWO MINUTES LEFT AND A FEW JUMPING EFFORTS BETWEEN YOU AND BEING ON THE TOP OF THE PODIUM AT THE END OF CROSS COUNTRY DAY HERE.

SHE IS TURNING ON TO THE LINE HERE, WHICH CAUSED CAROLINE SOME GRIEF.

ONE LAST BIG COMBINATION.

YOU SAW WILL FAUDREE UNFORTUNATELY HAVE A FALL HERE EARLIER.

SAW ALEXANDER BRAGG UNFORTUNATELY COME TO THE END OF HIS DAY HERE.

WILL SHE GO STRAIGHT?

[ CHEERING ] I THINK WE MIGHT BE SEEING ANOTHER CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME, AUSTIN AND DESERVEDLY SO BY THE LOOKS OF IT.

>> SHE IS FLYING HOME.

THREE MORE EFFORTS LEFT TO JUMP.

LOOKS LIKE HE COULD GO AGAIN.

>> STILL HAS TO JUMP THE LAST ONES, STILL GOT TO BE JUMPED >> DECIDE HERE WHICH TABLE YOU ARE GOING TO JUMP AND THEN THIS SMALL PINNED NARROW EASY WORK.

SHE IS GOING TO BE WELL WITHIN THE TIME.

>> WELL WITHIN.

>> GREAT STUFF.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT A TRUE 5 STAR HORSE HERE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS LEVEL IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

EXCITEMENT, RELIEF?

WHAT IS THE FEELING.

>> JUST AN UNBELIEVABLE BUZZ, ISN'T IT?

AND IT'S, OF COURSE IT'S RELIEF.

THE PRESSURE AT THIS LEVEL IS HUGE BUT IT'S JUST JUST THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD.

>> A BEAUTIFUL DAY OF SPORT THERE.

OFF AFTER THE CROSS COUNTRY.

MONICA SPENCER SITS ATOP THE LEADERBOARD FOLLOWED BY SWISS RIDER FELIX VOGG AND USA MIA FARLEY, USA JENNIE BRANNIGAN AND BOYD MARTIN.

SOPHIA HILL ROUNDING OUT THE TOP SIX ON A 46.2, 7th PLACE NEW ZEALAND TAYLA MASON, CAROLINE PAMUKCU AGAIN IN EIGHTH.

ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 10 JONELLE PRICE CHILLI'S MIDNIGHT STAR.

>> I THINK I'M IN SHOCK RIGHT NOW AND NEED A SECOND TO BREATHE.

PHILLIP AND PETER SAID IT WOULD RIDE LIKE, AND IT'S PRETTY RARE WHEN THAT'S HAPPENS SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

>> HE WAS SO GOOD OUT THERE.

HE TRIED HIS ALSO GUTS OUT THERE FOR ME.

GALLOPED AROUND.

GOSH HE WAS FAST.

ATE UP THOSE HILLS NO WORRIES AND TRIED THROUGH ALL THE COMBINATIONS.

VERY HAPPY.

>> SHE IS TOUGH.

SHE IS REAL TOUGH.

I MEAN IT WAS TOUGH.

ALL THE RIDERS FOR THE FIRST TIME WERE THINKING, OH YEAH THIS IS A BIG COURSE.

CAME HERE FOR A BIG COURSE AND DEFINITELY GOT IT.

>> I LED HIM AROUND AT GALLOPS THIS TIME AND HE JUST RAN AND I WAS ABLE TO GO SLOW ALL THE WAY HOME.

SO I JUST THINK THIS HORSE HAS MORE SPEED THAN I'VE EVER USED.

>> I KNEW IT WOULD BE A TALL ORDER.

IT WAS A BIG STEP UP.

BUT YOU KNOW, THE COMPETITOR IN ME IS DISAPPOINTED TO HAVE HAD TO STOP AT THE TOP WATER AND SLIGHTLY KICKING MYSELF BECAUSE I WAS THINKING SHOULD I OR SHOULDN'T I. BUT YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I WANTED TO SAY COMPETITIVE AND SHE WAS DOING WELL ON THE CLOCK UP TO THAT POINT.

>> THERE IS NO BETTER HORSE FOR ME TO GO OUT AND DO IT.

I NEVER HAVE A WORRY ABOUT HER.

SHE CANNOT DO ANYTHING.

YOU CAN MAKE IT HARDER AND SHE WOULD DO IT.

BUT I WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT HOW I CAN HANDLE IT.

>> I THINK PHELPS IN PARTICULAR, THE TERRAIN REALLY SUITS HIM.

I KNOW A LOT OF HORSES CAN'T KEEP PULLING UP THE HILL BUT HE GETS TO THE BOTTOM AND HE IS LOCKED IN AND KEEPS GOING UP.

>> I MEAN IT WAS A VERY, VERY CHALLENGING TRACK.

REALLY, THE 5 STAR LEVEL IS MEANT TO BE THE HARDEST LEVEL IN THE SPORT AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THIS COURSE IS ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT ONES GOING AROUND, REALLY, REALLY PLEASED WITH MY HORSE.

HE DUG DEEP AND JUMPED A GOOD ROUND.

>> WELL, THAT WAS YESTERDAY, BUT WHEN WE COME BACK, WE WILL SEE WHO WILL BE CROWNED AT THE 2025 CHAMPION AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

SCWOO MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY... WELCOME BACK TO THE FINAL DAY HERE AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

I'M SINEAD JOINED HERE BY LEGEND IAN STARK.

WHAT A DAY IT WAS YESTERDAY WHERE IT REALLY TESTED THE PEDIGREE AND THE PREPARATION FOR THE HORSES OUT THERE ON PIERRE Le GOUPIL'S TRACK.

IAN, YOU WERE OUT THERE WATCHING THESE HORSES YESTERDAY.

WHAT DID THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY FINISHED AND HOW ARE THEY GOING TO COME IN TODAY?

>> I THINK THEY LOOKED REALLY GOOD WHEN THEY FINISHED ACTUALLY.

I THINK PROBABLY THE BEST I'VE SEEN HERE AT MARYLAND AT THE 5 STAR.

I THINK THE RIDERS KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH TRACK.

A LOT OF HILLS, A LOT OF TERRAIN BUT THEY WERE GALLOPING AT THE END, MARKET OF THEM WERE GALLOPING AT THE END.

THE ODD ONE OR TWO THAT WERE GETTING FATIGUED BUT IN GENERAL THEY PULLED UP WELL.

I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD COME OUT-- THEY LOOKED GOOD AT THE JOG THIS MORNING AND I HOPE THEY COME OUT FRESH.

THERE IS A BIT OF WIND GETTING UP AND THE HORSES WILL LIKE THE TEMPERATURE.

IT'S NOT TOO HOT SO IT SHOULD PERK THEM UP A LITTLE BIT.

IT MIGHT MAKE IT MORE SPOOK AGREE WE'LL THROW DOWN TO THE THIRD MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, FRANKIE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

THE SCENE IS SET AND YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY FEEL THE BUZZ AS WE GET READY TO FIGURE OUT WHO YOU ARE 2025 CHAMPION IS GOING TO BE HERE IN THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR.

I'M DOWN HERE BY THE FINAL YARM UP WITH AND PEOPLE WILL HAVE A VERY CRAFTED PLAN GOING INTO THIS YARMUP YOU CAN SEE EIGHTS A VERIY WINDY DAY OUT HERE AND A LOT OF EXCITEMENT BUT THE HORSES WENT A LONG WAY YESTERDAY.

SO THEIR PLAN WILL BE DIFFERENT IN THIS FINAL WARMUP AS IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST, A FEW JUMP LITTLE EFFORTS AND EVERYBODY WILL KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO GET THE JOB DONE AND THEN IT'S ALL DOWN TO BUSINESS IN THEMAN RING.

BACK TO YOU GUYS TO GET US UNDER WAY.

>> WELL, IT IS A BREEZY 73° OUT HERE, A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR HORSE SPORT.

AS YOU SEE ALL THE FLAGS BLOWING IN THE WIND HERE.

WE HAVE SEVEN DIFFERENT NATIONS REPRESENTED HERE IN CECIL COUNTY.

AT THE 5 STAR, THE CRUDS ARE FILLED, REALLY THE PLACE TO BE, IAN.

>> IT CERTAINLY IS AND THE SUN IS COMING OUT AGAIN.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

THE WIND MAY DISTRACT ONE OR TWO OF THE HORSES IN THE SHOW JUMPING BECAUSE A BIT OF TENTS ARE FLAPPING AND BANNERS FLAPPING AND YOU KNOW, THE HORSES CAN EASILY BE DISTRACTED BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF DISTRACTIONS IN THERE WITH LOTS OF SPECTATORS SURROUNDING THE ENTIRE ARENA.

WE SAW ONE OR TWO OF THE YOUNGER HORSES IN THE 3 STAR THAT WERE SPOOKED WHEN THEY CAME IN BUT IT'S GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR THEM.

THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD BE, THE ATMOSPHERE, GETTING USED TO THE ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR AND IT PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE HORSES AND THE RIDERS SO IT'S THE ONES WITH THE COOLEST NERVES THAT COME OUT TOP AT THE END OF THE DAY.

SO I THINK WE'VE GOT A VERY EXCITING HOUR AND A BIT AHEAD OF US WITH SOME EXCITING JUMPING.

>> WELL, THIS WILL BE THE ORDER OF GO.

WE HAVE USA CAROLINE PAMUKCU KICKING US OFF WITH ONE OF TWO RIDES FOLLOWED BY CANADA'S LINDSAY TRAISNEL, SHANNON LILLEY, AND DOWN THE ORDER, JONELLE PRICE FOLLOWED BY USA ARDEN WILDASIN, ROUNDING OUT THE TOP SIX, NEW ZEALAND'S TAYLA MASON AND CENTENNIAL.

AND WE WILL HAVE AUSTRALIA'S, LONG TRIP FOR HER, SO FAR SOPHIA HILL FOLLOWED BY HSH BLAKE AND BOYD MARTIN NINTH AND AT TENTH THE PERSON IN THE ARENA JENNIE BRANNIGAN'S FE LIFESTYLE AND THERE WE HAVE 13 RIDERS TO ENTER TODAY.

WILL IT BE MONICA SPENCER WHO IS CROWNED THE MARYLAND 5 STAR COMASM CRONE?

HERE WE HERE WE HAVE A LOOK AT OWL OF OUR CHALETS.

82 SECONDS WILL BE THE TIME ALLOWED ON THIS PERFECT COURSE.

CHATTING WITH MI SHELL AND HE SAID IT IS A PERFECT COURSE.

EIGHT OF THE EFFORTS ARE VERTICALS, FOUR OF THE EIGHT ARE OFF THE LEFT LEAD, FOUR ARE OFF IT RIGHT LEAD, FOUR OF THE VERTICALS OFF THE LEFT AND FOUR OFF THE RIGHT.

TRULY PERFECT COURSE THAT MICHEL VAILLANCOURT HAS PREPARED AS WE KICK THINGS OFF WITH USA CAROLINE PAMUKCU ON HSH TOLAN KING.

THE CROWD GIVING HER A WARM WELCOME AS WE ARE KICKING THINGS OFF.

THE FIFTH RUNNING OF MARYLAND 5 STAR.

>> I THINK YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT IS THE PERFECT TRACK.

IT LOOKS GREAT.

IT'S BIG.

THEY'RE ALL VERY SQUARE.

A LOT TO DO OUT THERE BUT IT'S VERY FAIR AND THE DISTANCES AND RELATION IN STRIDING AND EQUALLY COMING OFF BOTH REINS, WE ARE TESTING THE HORSE'S ABILITY AND SUP SUPPLENESS AFTER THE TOUGHER DAY YESTERDAY ON THE CROSS COUNTRY COURSE.

>> CAROLINE IS JUMPING SLIGHTLY OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE SHE HAS TWO HORSES IN THE CLASS, HSH TOLAN KING SITTING IN 11TH PLACE.

>> CAROLINE HAD A VERY BUSY DAY YESTERDAY WITH THREE HORSES RUNNING THE 5 STAR.

FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, RIDERS WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO RIDE TWO BUT IT'S ONLY IN RECENT YEARS THAT THEY'VE ACCEPTED THREE FOR REACH RIDER IF THEY HAVE THE HORSES IN-- IT'S KEEN THERE COMING DOWN TOWARDS US AND COMMENTATING BOX.

>> AND THIS IS VERY SHORT FIVE STRIDES DOWN AND AGAIN THAT COMES DOWN, HSH TOLAN KING BEING A LITTLE ARGUMENTIVE.

AT 10 YEARS OLD, THIS WAS A BIG OUTING FOR HIM.

>> I WAS JUST THINKING THAT EXACT THING; THAT HE IS NOT THAT EXPERIENCED.

I THINK HE THIS IS HIS FIRST 5 STAR AND HE PERFORMED REALLY WELL YESTERDAY.

CAROLINE WAS VERY GUTSY AND WENT ALL THE STRAIGHT ROUTES AFTER THAT AND THE HORSE ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS AND INTERESTINGLY TO ME, HE IS BEGINNING TO RELAX MORE AS THE RIDE IS GOING TOWN.

>> SHE COMES DOWN TO THE FINAL QUESTION.

TIME WILL BE GOOD.

SHE IS RIGHT UNDER THE TIME.

AND SHE WILL ADD EIGHT PENALTIES TO HER SCORE AND THERE SHE WILL FINISH HER 5 STAR WITH A NEWLY MINTED 5 STAR HORSE AND HSH TOLAN KING.

SEE HAS TO BE HAPPY WITH THAT.

HE IS ELATED.

A LITTLE ARGUMENTIVE AND TIGHT IN THE REIN.

>> I THINK LIKE YOU SAID, A BIG DAY FOR HER YESTERDAY WITH THREE FIRST TIME 5 STAR HORSES SO I THINK A LOT TO LIKE ABOUT THIS WEEKEND AS WE SEE THIS REALLY BEAUTIFUL HORSE AND THE TIME THAT THEY NEEDED AND DESERVED AND SHE GAVE THEM REALLY GOOD RIDES.

>> WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO HEAD DOWN TO FRANKIE WHO IS WITH JEFF NEWMAN.

>> WELL, JEFF, WHAT AN EVENT YOU GUYS PRODUCED.

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.

BEEN GETTING BIGGER AND BETTER EVERY SINGLE YEAR SOMEHOW AND TELL BUS THIS EVENT.

>> I MEAN IT'S OUR FIFTH YEAR.

IT NEEDS TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER, RIGHT?

WE ARE ECSTATIC.

THE WEATHER HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.

THE ATHLETES HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

WE HAVE A TON OF THINGS TO DO FOR EVERYONE.

>> A LOT WENT INTO THE PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR THIS EVENT BUT ALSO INTO BRINGING THIS EVENT TO MARYLAND.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL MARYLAND HAS MORE HORSES PER SQUARE MILE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

IT HAS MORE EVENTING COMPETITIONS THANFULLY OTHER STATE SO IT WAS A NATURAL TO TRY TO BRING IT HERE.

FAIR HILL IS BEAUTIFUL.

A GREAT HISTORY OF EVENTING WITH FAIR HILL INTERNATIONAL.

WE WERE ECSTATIC WHEN WE WON THE BID BUT IT MADE SENSE AND YOU CAN SEE THE CROWDS ARE REALLY SUPPORTING IT.

>> YOU GUYS HAVE ALSO PACKED A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO DO FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AND ENJOY, NOT JUST THE HORSE SPORTS OR SHOPPING, SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY TO TAKE HOME AND LOCAL FLAVOR AND FOOD.

TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> MOST EXCITING WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION IN OUR CORGI CUP.

THAT WAS EXCITING BUT WE HAVE A FOOD TEST TODAY WHERE WE SHOWCASE LOCAL PRODUCE.

WE WANT THE EVENT TO BE A PLATFORM TO SHOWCASE WHAT MARYLAND HAS TO OFFER.

SO WE HAVE A LOCAL BEER WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL AS WELL.

WE HAVE 125 RETAIL SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES.

SO AGAIN, BRING THE FAMILY, THE DOG AND WE GOT SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT HERE.

THIS IS AN EVENT YOU HAVE TO HAVE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST FOR NEXT YEAR MUCH WE HOPE TO SEE YOU IN ELKTON MARYLAND.

BACK TO YOU SINEAD AND IAN.

>> WELL, THAT IS SO WONDERFUL.

AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

HERE, MARYLAND ONE OF SEVEN 5 STAR COMPETITIONS IN THE WORLD.

WE HAVE ONE IN FRANCE, ONE IN AUSTRALIA, ONE IN GERMANY, TWO IN GREAT BRITAIN AND NOW TWO IN NORTH AMERICA.

IT IS ALL TO PLAY FOR HERE AND WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO CROWNING OUR CHAMPION, THE FIFTH YEAR RUNNING HERE AT MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL.

WE GET A LOOK DOWN IN THE WARMUP COMPETITORS NEXT TO COME AS EVERYBODY GETS READY FOR THEIR RIDE, WE TAKE A LOOK OVER AT ONE OF THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS.

GREAT WOLF LODGE.

THERE IS FUN FOR EVERYONE AS YOU HOWL AS BOYD MARTIN IS HOWLING DOWN THE SLIDES THERE.

THERE ARE SLIDES, FOOD, BOWLING, THERE IS FUN.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE HERE OUT AT MARYLAND.

WE'VE GOT GOATS AND PONIES AND KIDS HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OUT HERE BEFORE, COME CHECK IT OUT, GET YOUR WOLF EARS ON AND GET HOWLING.

I DO NOT THINK THERE IS AN EMPTY SEAT HERE, IAN.

>> THE CROWDS ARE FANTASTIC.

THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT ALL WEEK.

YESTERDAY CROSS-COUNTRY, THEY WERE LINING AROUND THE COURSE.

IT WAS BRILLIANT TO SEE.

>> AND HERE NEXT INTO THE ARENA FOR CANADA, LINDSAY TRAISNEL ON BASEY BACYROUGE.

SHE HAD TROUBLE GETTING INTO THE BOX, BACYROUGE WAS SO EXCITED TO GET GOING.

STARTED OUT NOT IN AN IDEAL WAY BUT MADE IT AROUND HER FIRST 5 STAR.

SHE HAS REPRESENTED CANADA AT THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES.

WILL BE VERY MUCH LOOKING TOWARDS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NEXT YEAR AND COMING OFF TWO HOT WINS AT THE 4 STAR LEVEL.

DIFFICULT FOR HER REALLY WHEN YOU ARE SO LATE GETTING INTO THE START BOX.

YOU ARE WAY DOWN ON THE CLOCK BEFORE YOU EVEN GET TO THE FIRST FENCE.

I'VE SEEN IT IN THE PAST, RIDERS GET VERY OVER EXCITED AND THEY GO FAST AND KIND OF BLOW IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A MISTAKE.

BUT SHE DID A BRILLIANT JOB.

SHE KEPT COOL AND CALM AND KEPT POSITIVE AND THE HORSE WAS RESPONDING, SO IT WAS GREAT TO SEE.

SHE FINISHED A BRILLIANT RIDE.

>> THIS 14-YEAR-OLD OWNED BY PATRICIA PIERSON, ANOTHER ONE TO TAKE THAT FENCE.

A LITTLE AGAINST THE CONTACT.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WITH THE FINAL DAY OF THE THEE-DAY I VENT.

THE HORSE-- THREE-DAY EVENT.

IT'S LIKE DRIVING YOUR CAR WITH A FLAT TIRE.

THEY'RE NOT QUITE AS ELASTIC AND ADJUSTABLE AS THEY NORMALLY ARE.

AND IT'S VERY TEMPTING TO OVER RIDE FROM THE HANDS AND START, INSTEAD OF LOOKING AFTER THEM.

AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, THEY GOT HERE BECAUSE OF THEIR TALENT AND THEIR ABILITY.

AND WE BOUGHT TO ALLOW THEM TO BE SOFT AND GET ON WITH THEIR JOB.

OUR JOB, I ALWAYS THINK AS RIDERS, IS TO BE THE PERFECT PASSENGER AND LET THE HORSE GET ON WITH IT.

BUT THAT'S SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

I WASN'T VERY GOOD AT IT, TO BE HONEST.

>> WELL, HE IS WITH THAT EARLY RAIL, IS REALLY GETTING UP IN THE AIR GIST GETS AND IT JUST GETS BETTER.

THE HORSES AND RIDERS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE RELAXING BY THE TIME THEY GET HALFWAY AROUND.

>> SHE WILL BE THRILLED WITH THAT ROUND.

ONE RAIL TO ADD AND .4 OF A TIME COMPLETE.

FINISHING AT 82.4 AND A WONDERFUL 5 STAR COMPLETION.

WHAT DOES THAT FEEL LIKE TO ACTUALLY FINISH THAT 5 STAR?

>> I THINK IT'S THE ULTIMATE.

IT'S WHAT WE ARE ALL AIMING FOR AND WHAT WE GET INTO THIS SPORT FOR, TO RIDE AT THE TOP LEVEL, AT THE 5 STAR LEVEL AND JUST TO GET OUT THERE AND START IS QUITE A SPECIALTY, TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE IS INCREDIBLE.

AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE IN THAT POSITION THAT MONICA SPENCER IS IN NOW, IT'S THE POSITION WE ALL WANT TO BE IN AND ONCE YOU GET THERE, YOU FEEL QUITE SICK.

YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE THERE BUT IT'S WHAT YOU SPEND YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS TRAINING AND BUILDING UP FOR.

AND THEN YOU BEGIN TO WONDER, BUT IT'S THRILLING.

IT'S JUST THE PINNACLE OF THE SPORT AND WOW, DOES IT FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU ARE AT THIS LEVEL.

WE HAVE SUCH A KEEN AND EDUCATED CROWD OUT ON THE CROSS COUNTRY.

EVERYBODY WAS CLAPPING AND CHEERING BECAUSE THEY WERE SO INPRESSED AND IN AWE OF WHAT THESE MAGNIFICENT ANIMALS CAN DO AND TO COME BACK IN HERE ON SUCH A CAREFUL DAY AS WE HAVE OUR NEXT RIDER HEADING UP THAT LONELY CHUTE INTO THE ARENA.

REALLY SPECTACULAR DAY YESTERDAY.

THE HORSE JUST OVER JUMPING SO MUCH IN THE BEGINNING AND HIS WIND CAUGHT UP TO HIM A LITTLE BIT BUT THEN HE GOT A SECOND WIND BLAZING DOWN THE TRUCE AND FINISH-- TRACK AND HUGE DAY FOR HER AS WE WELCOME HER INTO THE FINAL DAY OF COMPETITION HERE AT THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR IS.

>> I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD COMMENT.

THIS HORSE JOHN GREEN ENTHUSIASTIC SORT OF SHE WENT THE LONG ROUTE AND GAVE THEM THE GOOD EXPERIENCE AND HE FINISHED LOOKING CONFIDENT AND LOOKING HAPPY AND YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CAN DO THAT AT A 5 STAR, YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A SERIOUS HORSE UNDERNEATH YOU AND LOOK AT HIM NOW.

THE HORSES HERE ARE MAGNIFICENT, GLEAMING AND AND YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT WOULD BE CROSS COUNTRY YESTERDAY ANOTHER YOUNG HORSE, 11 YEARS OLD SHANNON ORIGINALLY FROM OUT ON THE WEST COAST REPRESENTED THE U.S.

AT THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES AND HAD QUITE A BAD BACK INJURY AND THEY ACTUALLY TOLD HERSHEY WOULD NEVER RIDE AGAIN.

ENDED UP SELLING A BEAUTIFUL STRING OF HORSES AND NOW SHE IS BACK, BETTER THAN EVER WITH SOME WONDERFUL HORSES IN HER ARSENAL, WEARING HER LOVELY PINK COAT SHOWING SHE HAS REPRESENTED TEAM USA.

I DON'T WANT TO JINX IT.

INCREDIBLE LEAPS A LOT OF SCOPE.

A LOT GOING ON IN THE APPROACH BUT STILL JUMPING IT AND HIS EAR PERMANENTLY DOESN'T LOOK AS THOUGH HE HAS BEEN RUN ALONG GRUELING 5 STAR CROSS COUNTRY YESTERDAY WHICH IS A TRUE TESTAMENT TO THE FITNESS OF THE HORSES AND THE PREPARATION FROM THE RIDERS.

A VERY DIFFERENT LOOK THAN LINDSAY'S SELF RUN AS SHE COMES UP TO THE TRIPLE BAR, MICHEL VAILLANCOURT SAYING THIS IS A REAL RIDERS LINE, THEY HAVE TO GET THE PERFECT DISTANCE TO GIVE THE HORSE IS A CHANCE TO EXECUTE AND SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE MIGHT BE WORKING ON A CLEAR, IAN.

>> YEAH, AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING IN CASE I JINX HER.

BRILLIANT ROUND.

YOU CAN SEE-- >> OH NO!

THAT WAS YOU.

>> THAT WAS DEFINITELY YOU.

I'M GOING TO TELL HER ABOUT YOU.

>> WHAT A ROUND FOR HER.

SO DISAPPOINTING.

A BRILLIANT ROUND.

HER SECOND 5 STAR COMPLETION AND ONE BETTER THAN KENTUCKY.

SHE HAD TWO DOWN IN THIS PHASE AT KENTUCKY AND UNFORTUNATELY THE LAST RAIL HERE BECAUSE HE WAS SHOWING ALL HIS SCOPE, CLASS AND FITNESS.

>> YEAH, HE WAS.

I MEAN HE WAS VERY ENTHUSIASTIC.

HE REALLY WANTED TO GET ON WITH IT.

AND HE JUST COMES TO THAT LAST FENCE, JUMPS IT WELL, AND HE REALLY LOOKED AT THOUGH HE WAS GOING TO HAVE-- HE CERTAINLY HAS THE SCOPE.

LOOKED TO BE CLEAR AND HE JUST CAME DOWN A LITTLE BIT EARLY AND BAD LUCK BUT THEN HAVE YOU TO SAY, OVER THE LAST FENCE, DO WE RELAX AS RIDERS?

IT CAN SOMETIMES BE LAST FENCITIS HAVING A POLE DOWN BUT HAVING SAID THAT, WOW.

WHAT AN EXCITING HORSE IN THE FUTURE.

HE REALLY WAS SHOWING ALL HIS ABILITY THERE AND HE IS PROBABLY NEVER BEEN PUT THROUGH YESTERDAY AUTO EASE CROSS COUNTRY AT THAT SPEED AND DISTANCE BEFORE AND THE FACT THAT HE HAS COME OUT FEELING SO WELL NOW.

AND HE IS GOING TO HAVE GROWN UP A LOT FROM IT AND IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW THEY DEVELOP MORE STAMINA AND YET RELAX MORE AS THEY GET ON WITH IT.

>> AND HERE ARE PAST CHAMPIONS HERE AT THE 5 STAR.

BACK IN 2021 IT WAS USA BOYD MARTIN AND ON CUE.

THEN TIM PRICE.

2023 THAT FABULOUS FINISH PULLING ALL THE WAY UP FROM 12th PLACE AUSTIN O'CONNOR AND TIM PRICE'S NAME THERE AND HERE HIS WIFE, JONELLE PRICE SHE ENTERS THE RING ON CHILLI'S MIDNIGHT STAR.

THIS, ANOTHER 11-YEAR-OLD BY THE FAMOUS STALLION CHILI MORNING RIDDEN BY WILLIAM FOX PITT.

>> THE HORSE'S FIRST FRAR AND I THINK SWROAL JOEL WAS DISAPPOINTED SHE HAD THE 20 ON THE CROSS COUNTRY.

BUT SHE RODE SO WELL, SUCH AN EXPERIENCED RIDER BUT SHE RODE THIS YOUNG HORSE SO WELL AND GAVE HIM THE EASY OPTION AT PIERRE'S PUZZLE AND DIDN'T DO THE TOP OF THE MOUND.

AND HE JUST WAS A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED BY THE CRAB WATER TOWARD THE END OF THE COURSE.

BUT INGO, ANOTHER HORSE THAT'S VERY EXCITING FOR THE FUTURE.

JONELL SAID TO ME THE FIRST DAY SHE GOT HERE, SHE SAID MAYBE I SHOULD LET TIM RIDE THIS BUT THE OWNERS ARE ALLOWING HER TO CONTINUE AND I THINK WE ALL IN THE SPORT ARE WANTING HER TO CONTINUE RIDING AT THIS LEVEL AS WELL.

>> I THINK IT'S A BIG STRONG HORSE AND ALBEIT, YOU MEET JONELLE PRICE, SHE IS MIGHTY.

SHE IS STILL A LITTLE LADY BUT I THOUGHT SHE WAS, LIKE YOU SAID, PHENOMENAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, REALLY EDUCATING THIS HORSE AROUND HIS FIRST 5 STAR AND HE LOOKS FIT AND FINE TODAY.

>> THAT'S GOT AN INTERESTING COMMENT.

A LITTLE LADY.

I WOULDN'T TACKLE HALF OF YOU LADIES THAT RIDE 5 STAR ON A DARK EVENING.

I THINK YOU WOULD FRIGHTEN ME OFF.

SORRY.

I PROBABLY OFFENDED HALF OF THE COUNTRY NOW.

>> IT'S NOT HARD TO DO.

AND JONELLE MAKES HER WAY DOWN THAT TRIPLE AND TWO FENCES LEFT TO GO.

THE MARYLAND CROWDS ON THE EDGES OF THEIR SEATS.

A CLEAR ROUND POSSIBLE?

>> BEAUTIFULLY RIDDEN.

>> AND WELL WITHIN THE TIME.

SHE WILL ADD NOTHING TO HER SCORE.

WHAT A THRILLING DAY IT IS POSSIBLE THIS COURSE CAN BE JUMPED CLEAR AND THIS LADY JUST PROVED THAT FACT.

>> THAT WAS QUITE SPECIAL.

NO WONDER SHE'S SMILING.

SHE IS AN OUT AND OUT COMPETITOR.

SHE JUST GETS THE BEST OUT OF HER HORSES, THEY ALL GO BEAUTIFULLY FOR HER.

AND THAT LITTLE MISTAKE YESTERDAY, I DON'T THINK WE'LL SEE THAT AGAIN WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP.

>> AND HE LOOKS SO RIDEABLE AND GOOD IN THIS PHASE TODAY.

MAYBE HE JUST NEEDED THAT 5 STAR TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW?

>> I THINK HE HAS THREE OR FOUR 4 STARS.

HE IS NOT INEXPERIENCED BUT I THINK THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, THE STEP UP FOR HIM AND I THINK HE WILL LEARN A LOT FROM IT.

>> SO STILL EARLY BUT SHE IS A TOP 10 RIGHT NOW AS WE LOOK AT THE LEADERBOARD AS IT STANDS JONELLE PRICE ATOP FOLLOWED BY CAROLINE PAMUKCU AND SHE WILL BE GUARANTEED A TOP 10 AS USA'S ARDEN WILDASIN ENTERS THE RING AND THIS WAS SUCH A FUN ROUND TO WATCH YESTERDAY.

>> IT WAS BRILLIANT, YEAH HE REMINDS ME OF A BIG PONY AND GETS ON WITH THE JOB HE WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED BY THE PUZZLE FENCE.

BUT REALLY HE LOOKED MAGNIFICENT ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> AT JUST 18 YEARS YOUNG, THIS WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP.

>> THE FACT THAT THE HORSE IS STILL COMPETING AT 5 STAR LEVEL AT 18 JUST SHOWS THE LONGEVITY OF HORSES IN THIS SPORT.

SOMETIMES YOU GET A BIT OF STICK ABOUT ASKING TOO MUCH AND DOING TOO MUCH IN THE CROSS COUNTRY BUT LOOK AT HIM.

HE LOOKS LIKE A SIX-YEAR-OLD JUMPING AND HAVING FUN.

>> SECOND TIME WE HAVE SEEN THAT COME DOWN.

AND I THINK THE HORSES AREN'T QUITE SOFT ENOUGH AROUND THE TURN.

HE IS REALLY LOOKING CAREFUL OTHERWISE.

NICE SO TO SEE HER GIVE HIM A NICE PAT ON THE NECK SAYING YOU'RE OKAY.

A LITTLE BIT... THAT WAS UNLUCKY.

A LITTLE DIVE OVER THE VERTICAL AND THEN JUST DIDN'T QUITE MAKE THE SPREAD.

>> AND THIS IS A BIG ASK, THIS TRIPLE AT THE END OF THE COURSE HERE.

WE SAW THIS RIDE EARLIER IN THE 3 STAR THE OTHER DIRECTION VERY EARLY ON IN THE TRACK AND NOW REALLY TESTING THE HORSES' ENDURANCE.

>> YEAH, IT IS, BUT SO FAR IT'S RIDDEN QUITE BEAUTIFULLY THAT LINE.

AS YOU'VE TURNED FROM THE CORNER, IT LOOKS PRETTY FORMIDABLE.

>> SO JUST TWO TO ADD AND GOOD ON THE CLOCK.

THE CROWDS GOING WILD.

SHE IS GOING TO BE SO EXCITED TO HAVE THIS 5 STAR DONE AND DUSTED WITH HER AMAZING PARTNER KNOWN AS MUMBLES IN THE BARN, ALL SMILES AS WE GET A LOOK AT THIS BIG BROOK LEDGE FREENESS.

>> JUST SPOOKED A LITTLE BIT.

THAT'S WHY.

>> WELL, WE ARE GOING TO HEAD DOWN TO FRANKIE WHO IS WITH JONELLE PRICE.

>> WELL, WE ASKED THE QUESTION CAN A DOUBLE CLEAN BE DONE AND YOU ANSWERED YES.

TELL BUS THAT ROUND IN THERE.

>> DELIGHTED.

I THOUGHT HE JUMPED A SUPER ROUND.

HE IS A GOOD JUMPER BUT HE IS AN EVENT HORSE, NOT A JUMPER JUMPER.

PLEASED HE CAME THROUGH THE RIGORS OF YESTERDAY.

I THINK HE WILL HAVE LEARNED A HUGE AM AND COME OUT AND FINISH THE WEEK LIKE THAT WAS FANTASTIC.

>> SPEAKING OF YESTERDAY, YOU HAVE PRODUCED SO MANY HORSES TO THIS LEVEL AND ADD YET ANOTHER ONE TO THE STRING.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A HORSE THAT GALLOPED AROUND THE TRACK LIKE YOU DID YESTERDAY AND COME IN HERE ON THE FINAL DAY AND KEEP THE RAILS IN THE CUPS.

>> IT'S NOT EASY BUT YOU KNOW, I DO BELIEVE THIS HORSE PERHAPS NEXT YEAR CAN REALLY DO SOMETHING IN ALL THREE PHASES AND THOSE HORSES ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

WE SAW SOMEE IF KNOP NATIONAL THOROUGHBREDS YESTERDAY THAT TORE THE COURSE TO PIECES.

BUT YOU KNOW, NOT SO EASY FOR THEM TODAY BUT HE IS A HORSE THAT I THINK CAN DO ALL THREE PHASES.

>> YOU HAVE QUITE THE STRING HEADED TO POST.

BEST OF LUCK, GREAT TO SEE YOU IN AMERICA HERE AND BOOK A PLANE TO COMPETE MORE OF YOUR 5 STAR CONTINGENT.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU THERE.

>> HUGE THANK YOU TO MARYLAND BECAUSE IF IT WASN'T FOR THE GRANTS MADE AVAILABLE, WE WOULDN'T BE OUT HERE.

DELIGHTED TO BE HERE AND JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR HAVING US.

>> BACK TO YOU GUYS.

>> IT IS SUCH A HUGE THANK YOU AGAIN WE LOVE TO SEE THEM MAKING THE TRIP OUT HERE AS INTO THE ARENA, TAYLA MASON AND CENTENNIAL.

ANOTHER NEW ZEALAND RIDER BASED IN THE U.K.

RIDES WITH JONELLE PRICE.

AND SHE HAD QUITE A BIT OF WORK YESTERDAY TO DO ON THE COURSE.

>> YEAH, SHE DID.

SHE ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, QUITE A GUTSY COMPETITOR AGAIN.

AND IF SHE IS TRAINING WITH THE PRICES, IT'S NOT SURPRISING.

SHE COULDN'T BE IN A BETTER YARD.

AND THIS HORSE LOOKS AS THOUGH HE IS REALLY TRYING IN HERE.

HE'S GOT A CONSCIENCE.

HE IS BEING CAREFUL.

THIS IS QUITE A TRICKY LINE, THIS TRIPLE BAR AND THEN SPOOKY VERTICAL.

VERY BIG WIDE.

YOU SURVIVE THAT AND COME AROUND TO THE COMBINATION, WHICH IS RIGHT BESIDE THE GROUND-- RIGHT BESIDE THE GRAND STAND.

A LITTLE BIT DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OR HIS RIGHT.

BUT AGAIN, STILL BEING CAREFUL REALLY TRIES.

HE'S NOT THE MOST CORRECT HORSE IN THE WORLD IN HIS JUMPING AND TECHNIQUE.

>> SHE IS LOOKING TO ADD NOTHING BUT TO HOLD ON TO HER PLACE, SHE ACTUALLY HAS SEVEN IN HAND AND DOESN'T USE ONE OF THEM.

>> HAPPY GIRL.

I THINK SHE IS STUNNED.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> BRILLIANT JOB.

WELL DONE.

WELL RIDDEN, TOO REALLY DID TRY THERE.

YOU KNOW, SHE WAS HELPING THE HORSE BUT SHE WASN'T INTERFERING AND LOOK AT THAT SMILE.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT I THINK THAT SMILE IS GOING TO TURN INTO SOME TEARS PRETTY QUICKLY.

SHE DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, REALLY MADE THAT HAPPEN.

SHE HAD TO ORGANIZE THAT.

IT'S A DIFFERENT FEEL TO COME INTO THE SHOW JUMPING AFTER RUNNING A 5 STAR THE DAY BEFORE.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO MANUFACTURE SOME OF THE WORK HERE.

THIS HORSE LOOKS LIKE A TRUE EVENTING HORSE AND SHE REALLY DID IT, CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT HERSELF.

>> I KNOW, IT'S JUST FANTASTIC.

AND STILL THIS ENORMOUS SMILE ON HER FACE IS GREAT TO SEE.

>> AND SHE LIKES TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THAT BECAUSE RIGHT THERE SHE IS IN THE TOP SPOT AT THIS 5 STAR AT MARYLAND FOLLOWED BY TRAINER JONELLE PRICE AND BIG PATS AS WE WELCOME OUR NEXT COMPETITOR INTO THE ARENA, SO FAR SO FAR, ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA ON HER THOROUGHBRED HUMBLE GLORY AS WE TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY, WAS THE DAY FOR THE THOROUGHBREDS AS WE LOOK AT WHERE IN THE WORLD THERE ARE 5 STARS AND THERE ARE TWO HERE IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE PINNACLE OF SPORT, A BIG DAY FOR SOPHIA.

SHE HAS COMPETED AT BURLEY, THEN WENT BACK TO AUSTRALIA AND THEN DECIDED TO MAKE HER WAY BACK HERE TO MARYLAND, HOPING FOR THE COURSE THAT WAS SET BEFORE HER YESTERDAY.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S AN INTERESTING ONE.

THERE IS NOT QUITE SUCH BIG ENTRIES AT THE 5 STARS THESE DAYS AS THERE USED TO BE.

BUT I THINK FOR ME, IT'S THE PINNACLING OF THE SPORT AND IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING AT AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE STRIVING TO GET TO THIS LEVEL.

BECAUSE THE THRILL AT THIS LEVEL IS INDESCRIBABLE.

SHE IS RIDING PRETTY FAST FORWARD CONSIDERING THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE BUT HE IS REALLY ANSWERING ALL THE QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN HE REALLY HAS JUMPED SPARE, HE WAS SO FAST YESTERDAY.

>> AND HE IS SO GOOD BEHIND, YOU KNOW, HE JUMPS AND YOU SEE HIM KICKING THE HIND LEGS AWAY, REALLY WANTING TO CLEAR THESE FENCES, WANTING TO GET ON WITH IT.

I'M SUCH A THOROUGHBRED MAN.

I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN ALL MY LIFE AND IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVE HAD, I THINK THREE THOROUGHBREDS IN THE TOP FEW PLACINGS WHICH IS JUST AMAZING.

BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS SAID THAT YEAH, THOROUGHBREDS ARE GREAT BUT THEY CAN'T DO DRESSAGE OR SHOW JUMP BUT YOU THINK HERE WE'VE GOT ONE THAT IS PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG.

LOOK AT THE SCOPE HE IS SHOWING DOWN THAT LINE.

>> I MEAN THE HORSE LOOKS LIKE HE COULD BE A STRAIGHT SHOW JUMPER.

OUR COURSE DESIGNER, MICHEL VAILLANCOURT WAS THE YOUNGEST IN THE SHOW JUMPING TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL AND WON A GOLD MEDAL IN SHOW JUMPING FOR CANADA ON A THOROUGHBRED.

ANOTHER CLEAR ROUND, EASILY INSIDE THE TIME SO FAR SO FAR AND HUMBLE GLORY MADE MADE THE TRIP WORTHWHILE ADDING NOTHING TO THEIR DRESSAGE SCORE OF 46.2.

AND JUST COMING INTO THE RING WHETHER IT WAS A 5 STAR EVENT OR NOT, JUST COMING INTO A RING LIKE THIS AND JUMPING A CLEAR ROUND IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT.

TO DO IT AFTER THE CROSS COUNTRY IS CITE EXCEPTIONAL AND WE'VE HAD THREE OF THEM SHOWING US IT CAN BE DONE.

>> WHAT AN ATHLETE.

I MEAN THAT'S ALL, WHEN YOU WATCH THIS HORSE JUMP, YOU THINK HE HAS JUST GOT WINGS.

EASILY CLEARS THAT MAX 130 BOXER.

>> A GREAT FEELING TO BE JUMPING THESE FENCES ON A HORSE THAT REALLY WANTS TO CLEAR THEM.

SOME OF THEM ARE A LITTLE BIT LAX ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE THREE-DAY EVENT AND DON'T MIND DOING AN ODD RUB.

THEY RUB THEM AND COME OUT OF THESE VERY SHALLOW CUPS BUT THAT HORSE WAS WELL ABOVE EVERYTHING.

>> WELL, WE ARE GOING TO GO TO A SHORT BREAK RIGHT HERE IS HOW WE SEE IT.

SO FAR SO FAR SOPHIA HILL SITS ON TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD BUT COME BACK AND SEE US SHORTLY AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

DLOAD MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR BROUGHT TO YOU BY LEMIEUX, TECHNICALLY ADVANCED GEAR FOR HORSE AND RIDER.

WELL, WELCOME BACK TO MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR, IT IS ALL HAPPENING BUT WE GO DOWN TO THE THIRD MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WHO HAS TAYLA FOR A LITTLE WORD.

>> I'M DOWN HERE WITH TAYLA AND EXCITED MOM AND RIGHTFULLY SO BECAUSE A TRIP WELL WORTH IT.

TALK ABOUT FIRST, YOU HAD TO RAISE MONEY TO GET HERE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE BEHIND THAT, SUPPORTING YOU.

>> YES, I AM JUST OVERWHELMED WITH ALL THE SUPPORT AND SO GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE.

IT REALLY TOOK A VILLAGE TO GET ME HERE AND SOME AMAZING PEOPLE THAT ARE SO GENEROUS AND I OWE IT TO THEM.

I HOPE I MADE THEM ALL PROUD TODAY, ME AND CHASE, YEAH.

>> WELL, IT'S QUITE AN EFFORT TO GET HERE BUT THEN TO GO AHEAD AND COMPETE AS YOU DID HERE, A HUGE SUCCESSFUL TRIP FOR YOU.

FIRST TIME COMING TO AMERICA JUST WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE HERE IN CECIL COUNTY?

>> IT HAS BEEN AMAZING: EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO WELCOMING AND HELPFUL AND I'VE LOVED IT.

I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK AGAIN IF I COULD MAKE IT WORK.

>> IF YOU ARE ON THE FENCE, TAYLA GIVES IT A RAVE REVIEW.

SAFE TO SAY THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> AND MOM FOR YOU TO SEE YOUR DAUGHTER SO SUCCESSFUL HERE AT THIS EVENT IN THIS 5 STAR LEVEL.

INCREDIBLE ATHLETES AND SUPPORTING HER.

>> I'M SO PROUD OF TAYLA AND CHASE.

HE WAS BORN IN MY FRONT PADDOCK OUT OF MY MARE AND IT HAS BEEN A JOURNEY.

HE HAS TAKEN US AROUND THE WORLD AS WELL AND I'M SO EXCITED AND PLEASED THAT WE'VE GOT HIS FULL BROTHER AT HOME.

>> WELL, A FAMILY AFFAIR DOWN HERE.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

>> FRANKIE, ALSO GOT TO CAMP UP WITH THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF BROWN ADVISORY MIKE HINKIN.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE MARYLAND 5 STAR.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING COMING INTO THIS ONE.

>> IT'S REALLY GOOD TO BE HERE.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

LOOK OUT.

GOSH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, IT'S GREEN, GROUND IS GOOD.

IT'S SOFT, NOT TOO SOFT IT'S EXCITING.

WE ARE EXPECTING PROBABLY UPWARDS OF 30,000 PEOPLE AGAIN.

I JUST THINK ABOUT IT IN FIVE YEARS WHAT HAS BEEN CREATED HERE.

IT SEEMED DIFFICULT ALONG THE WAY, BUT PROBABLY NO BIG SURPRISE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE.

WE HAVE A VERY TALENTED TEAM LED BY JEFF NEWMAN.

TREMENDOUS SUPPORT BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND CECIL COUNTY.

AND AN INCREDIBLE VENUE.

>> FOR THOSE WATCHING AT HOME AND IN THE STADIUM, TELL BUS YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND BROWN ADVISORY'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS EVENT SO FAR.

>> WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EQUINE SPORT.

AND WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT IT IS THAT IT'S A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE THAT LOVE THE SPORT, ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THEIR PASSION FOR HORSES AND HORSES DOING INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT THEY'RE NATURALLY BRED TO DO AND IT'S A GOOD WAY TO MEET PEOPLE.

IT'S ALSO A GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THESE EVENTS WHETHER THEY'RE STEEPLE CHASE RACES OR THREE-DAY EVENTS, MEAN A LOT TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY EMPLOY A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY ENTERTAIN A LOT OF PEOPLE, PRODUCE TAX DOLLARS.

AND SO WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO BE PART OF THAT.

SO WE ARE THE PRESENTING SPONSOR WITH MARS HERE AND IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

WE'LL WILL HAVE SOME OF OUR GUESTS AND MEET A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE.

>> SOMETHING YOU MENTIONED A COWELL OF TIMES AS COMMUNITY.

LOCAL COMMUNITY, STATE OF MARYLAND VERY CLOSE TO YOUR HEART WHEN PUTTING ON EVENTS LIKE THIS OR BEING INVOLVED IN EVENTS LIKE THIS.

>> THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IS A BIG DEAL IN MARYLAND.

IT'S ROUGHLY, THE-- IT PRODUCES ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $3 BILLION AND EMPLOYS 30,000 PEOPLE AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY AND WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY OF SUPPORTING THOSE PLAYERS THAT THAT HELP PEOPLE PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE EVERY DAY.

IT'S A BIG DEAL AND WE THINK ABOUT IT A LOT.

>> FINALLY, SPECIFICS OF THE NEXT THREE DAYS.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST.

>> EXCITEMENT.

THE HORSES ARE AMAZING ANIMALS.

AND THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO SEE HORSES PERFORM AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL.

THERE WILL BE DISAPPOINTMENTS AND ALSO SOMEBODY WHO SNEAKS THROUGH AND IT'S A COMBINATION OF THAT RIDER OR THAT HORSE ON THAT DAY THAT GETS AROUND THE SHOW JUMPING AT THE END WITH A CLEAR, CLEAR ROUND.

IT WILL BE EXCITING.

>> WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS AND SO WONDERFUL TO HEAR FROM THEM AT BROWN ADVISORY BUT IT WAS SOME EXCITING STUFF HERE A LITTLE EARLIER IN THE DAY.

WHILE THE FAMOUS STARS OF THE SHOW, THEY'RE ALMOST MORE STARS THAN THE HORSES, THESE CORGIS CAME OUT AND RACED THEIR LITTLE HEARTS OUT.

AND WE HAVE A NEWLY CROWNED CHAMPION THIS YEAR OF THE 2025 CORGI RACES AT 5 STAR AT MARYLAND.

>> WE ARE BACK TO MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

THERE WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE LEADERBOARD SO FAR.

SOPHIA HILL ON TOP THERE WITH TAYLA MASON FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND JONELLE PRICE AND USA'S ARDEN WILDASIN THERE.

WE GET A LOOK DOWN AT CAROLINE PAMUKCU WHO WILL JOIN US WITH HER PARIS PARTNER, HSH BLAKE.

NEXT SIX MORE HORSES TO JUMP IN THIS 5 STAR TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE THE 2025 CHAMPION.

ALL REMAINING RIDERS HERE.

WE WILL SEE USA CAROLINE PAMUKCU FOLLOWED BY BOYD MARTIN AND JENNIE BRANNIGAN AND FE.

LIFESTYLE AND THE LOVELY THOROUGHBRED PHELPS WITH MIA FARLEY SITTING IN SECOND POSITION.

FELIX VOGG AND MONICA SPENCER WILL CLOSE US OUT WITH HER BEAUTIFUL THOROUGHBRED ARTIST.

THE COURSE HAS CLAIMED SOME VICTIMS TODAY, BUT THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW CLEAR ROUNDS SO WE KNOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO JUMP AROUND MICHEL VAILLANCOURT'S 5 STAR TRACK HERE OVER AT THE BEAUTIFUL ATWOOD ARENA.

THE CROWDS ARE FILLING UP AND WHAT A DAY AS WE LOOK AT A TOTAL PRICE PRIZE PURSE OF 300,000.

FIRST PLACE 100,000.

SECOND $40,000 FOLLOWED BY 35,000, 25,000 AND 20,000.

A POLE WILL COST A LOT OF MONEY TODAY, IAN.

>> IT DOES.

I KNOW THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THE FIRST PRIZE MONEY.

IT'S A SERIOUS BOOST TO THESE RIDERS AND LOOKING AFTER THESE HORSES, IT'S A FAIRLY EXPENSIVE SPORT AND TO KEEP A STRING OF HORSES ON THE ROAD AND SO PRIZE MONEY ALWAYS HELPS.

AND WITH CAROLINE HERE AND BLAKE, WHAT IMPRESSED ME YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS HORSE WAS THAT, YOU KNOW, HE WON THE PAN AM GAMES TWO YEARS AGO AND WENT TO PARIS LAST YEAR, BUT HE HAS JUST MATURED AND STRENGTHENED AND LOOKS LIKE A MORE GROWN-UP HORSE AND I KNOW IT'S HIS FIRST 5 STAR, BUT MUCH MORE POWER AND SPRING AND I HAVE WATCHED HIM THIS MORNING.

CAROLINE WAS GIVING HIM A LITTLE BIT OF A JUMP JUST TO LOOSEN HIM UP AND MAKE SURE HE WAS FEELING GOOD AND HE WAS REALLY TRYING OVER THESE FENCES.

SO LET'S LOPE HE GOSS ALL-- LET'S HOPE HE HAS ALL THE ENERGY LEFT FOR NOW.

>> SHE WAS CLEAR ON THE JUMPING EFFORTS YESTERDAY, ADDING JUST 11.2 TIME PENALTIES FOR HER FIRST ATTEMPT AT 5 STAR EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS REPRESENTED THE UNITED STATES AT THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES AND OLYMPICS.

THIS WILL BE HER FIRST 5 STAR WITH THIS LOVELY 10-YEAR-OLD.

>> AND HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY GOOD IN THIS PHASE.

BLAKE.

HE IS STRONGER AND JUST LOOKS AS THOUGH HE HAS A LITTLE MORE POWER AND A LITTLE MORE SCOPE TO PLAY WITH.

AND THAT'S A GOOD SIGN OF A REAL GOOD TOP HORSE.

THEY DEVELOP AND THEY GROW AND THEY MATURE AND GET BETTER AND BETTER.

A LITTLE RATTLE IN FRONT THERE, QUITE NICE IS TO HAVE THE ODD RUB AND THE POLE DOESN'T COME DOWN.

JUST REMINDS THE HORSE THEY HAVE TO PICK THEIR FEET UP.

HE REALLY IS TRYING AND HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY GOOD BEHIND IN THIS AND REALLY OPERATED AT THE FINAL ELEMENT OF THAT COMBINATION THERE.

>> MOVING AROUND TO THE LAST LINE HERE.

CLOCK LOOKS GOOD.

ONE MORE JUMP LEFT TO JUMP AND SHE DOES IT.

GLANCES BEHIND HER AND WITHIN THE TIME, SHE ADDS NOTHING TO THE SCORE FROM YESTERDAY'S CROSS COUNTRY AND THAT WILL MEAN A BIG DAY FOR HER AS SHE MOVES TO THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD, FINISHING HER FIRST 5 STAR WITH HSH BLAKE ON A 39.4, REALLY DELIVERING THIS WEEK.

>> AND I THINK THE GOOD THING ABOUT THAT ROUND IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ARE WATCHING IT, YOU CAN RELAX AND ENJOY IT.

YOU NEVER FELT ANXIOUS, THE HORSE WAS REALLY SPOT ON, CAROLINE HAD THE RIGHT SPOT AT THE RIGHT PLACE AND THE RIGHT GEAR AND ENOUGH COMPULSION.

HE WAS JUMPING AND IT LOOKED EFFORTLESS.

YOU DIDN'T THINK GOSH HE WAS LUCKY THERE OR LUCKY THERE.

NO WONDER SHE IS PUNCHING THE AIR.

>> SHE IS THRILLED.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S AN INTERESTING TRACK, IAN BECAUSE THERE IS ISN'T, AND SHE KISSES BABY GIRL BLAKE NAMED AFTER HSH BLAKE.

KELLY HUTCHISON THERE, BUSINESS PARTNER, HUSBAND DENIZ.

SUCH A GREAT DAY FOR HER AND A WAY TO WRAP IT UP.

BUT THE COURSE, IT'S A ONE-TRACK COURSE.

THERE IS REALLY NOT ANYWHERE TO CUT OFF TIME OR SHAVE IN OR MAKE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF LINE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP THAT NICE RHYTHM UP AND KEEP THE POLES THERE AS WE WELCOME TO THE ARENA, BOYD MARTIN AND COMMANDO 3.

AND I WAS THERE LAST WEEK AND GOT TO SEE WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO WATCH.

AS THIS MAN NOT ONLY DOMINATES THE U.S.

OPEN SERIES BUT WIN THE FINAL.

HE BLAZED AROUND THE TRACK, TAME IN SECOND PLACE LAID DOWN A CLEAR ROUND ON THE SECOND DAY AND ENDED UP BEING THE 2025 U.S.

OPEN CHAMPION.

SO HE COMES INTO THE ARENA HERE WITH THIS LOVELY 12-YEAR-OLD, OWNED BY YANKEE CREEK RANCH LLC, COMMANDO 3.

>> THIS IS A HORSE THAT I'VE COVETED FOR THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, I HAVE TO SAY.

HE IS VERY SPECIAL ANIMAL.

A LOT OF ABILITY.

VERY CAPABLE OF WINNING ALL THESE 5 STARS.

HE HAS GOT A GREAT FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM.

>> SO, YESTERDAY CLEAR ON THE JUMPING, EIGHT TIME PENALTIES TO ADD WHERE UP AT THE WATER COMPLEX HE NEEDED TO TAKE A LONG ROUTE THERE, WHICH RACKED UP A FEW TIME PENALTIES.

ALSO TOOK THE LONG ROUTE AT PIERRE'S PUZZLE AFTER HAVING AN UNFORTUNATE PARTING OF WAYS ON LUKE 140 EARLIER IN THE DAY THERE.

DECIDED TO PLAY IT SAFE WITH COMMAND OWE AS HE HEADS TO THE FIRST JUMP.

>> YEAH, JUDGMENT YOU HAVE TO MAKE AS A RIDER, WHEN ARE RIDING TWO HORSES BUT HE HAD THE UNFORTUNATE PARTING OF COMPANY AT PIERRE'S PUZZLE.

BUT HE MADE THE CHOICE AND DECISION SIGNIFICANTS TO GO LONG AND IT DOES NO HARM SOMETIMES TO MAKE SURE THE HORSE STAYS CONFIDENT AND SECURE AND YOU HAVE A GOOD RIDE, EVEN IF YOU GOT A FEW TIME PENALTIES.

BUT IT KEEPS THE HORSE ON THE SIDE AND I THINK BOYD DID A BRILLIANT JOB OF THAT.

LOOKS FULL OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM.

AND YET STILL RELAXED AND JUMPING CORRECTLY UP IN THE AIR AGAIN, BOYD SPENDS A LOT OF TIME SHOW JUMPING WITH PETER WILD.

YOU CAN HEAR A PIN DROP.

>> THAT LINE DIFFICULT THOUGH IT IS, IS JUMPED BRILLIANTLY ALL AFTERNOON.

>> THE LAST FENCE... HE JUST LOOKED LIKE HE HESITATED ON TAKEOFF BUT GOT UP IN THE AIR.

SORRY ABOUT MY GASP.

>> I WAS CHILL BUT YOU WEREN'T.

>> I HAVE TO GASP AT LEAST ONCE 5 STAR A YEAR AND AND LEFT ALL THOSE POLES UP ADDING NOTHING TO THE SCORE HE CAME IN ON.

HE WILL FINISH WITH A FAULT-FREE JUMP ROUND AND END HIS 5 STAR ON A 38.3 DELIVERING AN EXCITING ROUND HERE.

PUTTING A BIT OF PRESSURE ON THE RIDERS IN FRONT OF HIM.

>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE COURSE AND I HAVE TO SAY IT'S A GREAT COURSE.

THE HORSES ARE JUMPING IT WELL.

NOTHING TRAPPY ABOUT IT.

IT'S JUST GET OUT THERE AND RIDE CORRECTLY.

AND LET YOUR HORSE DO THE JOB.

>> THERE WE SEE BOYD MARTIN ATOP OF THAT LEADERBOARD USA'S AND PARIS COMPADRE, CAROLINE PAMUKCU RIGHT BEHIND HIM THERE, SOPHIA HILL, TAYLA MASON, ALL WILL BE GUARANTEED TOP 10 FINISHES, BIG SMILE ON BOYD.

HE IS PLEASED TO HAVE DELIVERED THAT ROUND AS HE GIVES JENNIE BRANNIGAN A HIGH FIVE AS SHE HEADS IN TO DO THE JOB.

EMOTIONAL FINISH YESTERDAY FOR JENNIE.

SHE HAS HAD SOME TOUGH LUCK IN THE LAST LITTLE WHILE.

SHE WAS AT THE U.S.

OPEN LAST WEEK AND BEFORE SHE EVEN HEADED OUT ON THE BOX HAD A PARTING OF COMPANY AND FRACTURED HER LEG.

SO SHE HAS BEEN WALKING AROUND IN A BOOT ALL WEEK.

SLATED TO RIDE TWO HORSES HERE AT THE 5 STAR BUT DECIDED TO KEEP ALL OF HER ENERGY AND FOCUS ON FOXY, TRYING TO TELL THE CROWD TO BE A LITTLE QUIET.

>> QUITE A FEW STARRS NOW.

BUT HAVE I TO SAY YESTERDAY LIFESTYLE AND JENNIE JUST LOOKED AMAZING.

BRILLIANT RIDE, EVEN WITH HER FRACTURED FOOT.

SHE JUST KEPT HER COOL AND THE TWO OF THEM LOOKED AS THOUGH THEY WERE MEANT TO BE THERE AND FOUND IT ALL RATHER STRAIGHTFORWARD AND THE FIRST FENCE IS GONE.

THAT IS GOING TO TAKE ALL OF HER FOCUS.

SHE HAS A LOT MORE JUMPS TO JUMP.

JENNIE IS SO GOOD IN THIS PHASE.

SHE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME ON THE SHOW JUMPING AND IAN JUST, I MEAN, IT REALLY LOOKED LIKE AN UNLUCKY RAIL.

>> YEAH, I JUST WANTED-- I THOUGHT SHE HAD GONE A LITTLE FAR TO THE RIGHT AND WAS STARTING TO TURN ON THE TAKEOFF.

AND MAYBE I'M WRONG, BUT I JUST THOUGHT SHE WAS TRYING TO HELP THE HORSE AND JUST A LITTLE BIT PAID THE PENALTY.

PROBABLY GOING TO GO AND JUMP AN IMMACULATE RUN NOW.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE FRUSTRATING THAN HAVING THE FIRST FENCE DOWN BECAUSE IT PUTS PRESSURE ON THE HORSE AND RIDER TO NOT HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

AND WE ALL KNOW JENNIE IS GREAT IN THIS PHASE AND THE HORSE IS PRETTY GOOD IN THIS PHASE.

>> THIS HORSE HAS A HUGE STRIDE.

YOU CAN SEE JENNY REALLY HAVING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE STAYS WITHIN HIMSELF AND SEE MOVES AROUND TOWARD THE LAST TWO FENCES.

PERFECT GAP THERE AS SHE MOVES TOWARDS THE LAST ONE AND SHE KEEPS IT AT JUST THAT ONE RAIL.

>> THAT'S A PITY, THEY DIDN'T DESERVE THAT, SUCH A GOOD WEEK AND YOU CAN SEE HOW WELL THEY'RE JUMPING AND GREAT CROSS COUNTRY AND THE DRESSAGE WAS PHENOMENAL BUT THAT'S THE SPORT.

SADLY.

>> AND THAT WILL DROP HER DOWN TO TWO PLACES BEHIND BOYD MARTIN AND BEHIND CAROLINE PAMUKCU.

BUT SHE WILL STILL BE GUARANTEED A TOP 10 FINISH.

AND A REALLY, REALLY GOOD WEEK FOR HER.

I MEAN JUST PUT A LOT OF WRONGS RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, A RAIL CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, BUT SHE HAS HAD SUCH A CLASSY WEEKEND.

SO WE WILL COME BACK WITH OUR TOP THREE HERE TO DECIDE WHAT THE PODIUM ORDER WILL BE.

WE HAVE BOYD MARTIN ON TOP RIGHT NOW, CAROLINE PAMUKCU SITS IN SECOND PLACE.

AND JOIN US BACK HERE AT MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY TO SEE WHO WILL BE THE CHAMPION.

TO BE CROWNED THE 2025 5 STARS CHAMPION.

AS WE SEE THE STANDINGS AS THEY ARE, BOYD BOITD JUMPED A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR TO BE ON TOP RIGHT NOW, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL CLEAR ROUND BY OLYMPIAN CAROLINE PAMUKCU, FOLLOWED BY JENNIE BRANNIGAN WHO HAD ONE POLE DOWN AND SOPHIA HILL FROM AUSTRALIA, TAYLA FROM NEW ZEALAND AND JONELLE PRICE ROUNDS OUT OUR TOP SIX AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT ONE OF OUR TOP SPONSORS HERE, MARS EQUESTRIAN.

>> WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE BACK AS THE TITLE SPONSOR OF THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR.

A CHANCE TO SHOWCASE OUR BRANDS AND WHAT MARS IS ALL ABOUT.

WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING EVERYBODY TO THE WORLD OF MARS EXPERIENCE WHERE WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

WE BELIEVE THE WORLD IS BETTER WITH OUR PETS IN IT SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PETS ARE RECEIVING ALL THE SAME LOVE AND ATTENTION AS OUR SPECTATORS AND FANS.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS SPORT IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE HORSE SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AFTER THEM AND PUT THEM FIRST ALWAYS.

AND WITH THAT, MARS IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE VETERINARIANS AND VET TEAMS THROUGH OUR AM TECH AND SOUND DIAGNOSTICS.

>> AMTECH IS ONE OF THE WORLD LEADING VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC COMPANIES OFFERING REFERENCE LAB SERVICES, IN-HOUSE DIAGNOSTICS AND SOUND IMAGING, ONE OF THE LEADING PROVIDERS OF DIGITAL X-RAYS, CT MACHINES AND ULTRASOUND.

AMTECH IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE EQUINE INDUSTRY AND VETERINARIANS AND PROVIDED ALL OF THE IN-HOUSE DIAGNOSTIC ANALYZERS AND FREE TESTING FOR THE HORSES TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE BEST CARE SO THEY CAN HAVE THE BESTIE VENT.

>> WE ARE USING THE SOUND MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES ON A DAILY BASIS, SO WITH THE AMTECH BLOOD MACHINES RUNNING COMPLETE BLOOD COUNTS FOR CBCS AND SERUM CHEMISTRIES TO BASICALLY PROPHYLACTICALLY CHECK EACH HORSE'S HEALTH.

HAVING THE TECHNOLOGY ON SITE IS A GAME CHANGER.

WE CAN GO TO A HORSE'S STALL, TAKE A BLOOD SAMPLE, COME BACK AND HAVE AN ANSWER ABOUT THE HORSE'S HEALTH WITHIN 10 MINUTES, RATHER THAN DRIVING TO ANOTHER REFERENCE LABORATORY AND WAITING POSSIBLY OVER A DAY TO GET THE RESULTS.

SO WE HAVE REAL TIME STALL SIDE ANALYSIS AVAILABLE AND WE HAVE REAL TIME INJURY PREVENTION.

SO IT HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR US.

>> EQUINE VET TEAR HOSPITAL, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING THE BEST IN CARE FOR THE EQUINE ATHLETE ON SITE.

SO HAVING EVERYTHING HERE, THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, IMAGING TO ENSURE THE WELFARE AND HEALTH OF THE HORSE IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

>> HORSE WELFARE AND THE SOCIAL LICENSE TO COMPETE IS EVERYWHERE.

WE ARE ALL HERE TO SUPPORT THE HORSE.

>> IT GIVES PURPOSE TO WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.

WE BELIEVE THAT HORSES MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

WE ARE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL, SO EXCITED TO BE PART OF IT AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO SEE SMILING FACES AND WE BELIEVE THE WAY WE DO THAT IS TO ALL COME OUT HERE AND SUPPORT THIS SPORT TOGETHER AND ENJOY THE BEST IN THE SPORT.

>> SO, THERE THEY ARE, THE FINAL THREE TO JUMP TODAY AT THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR GETTING READY TO SEE WHAT ORDER THEY WILL FINISH THEIR DAY IN MONICA SPENCER ON THE BEAUTIFUL ARTIST, BUT EARLIER TODAY WAS THIS LADY, OLIVIA DUTTON WHO KEPT THE THIRD PLACE IN OUR 3 STAR COMPETITION.

IT WAS THE YOUNG GUNS THAT HELD THE PODIUM AS THEY JUMPED A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR AND THEN IT WAS ALL THE PRESSURE ON THIS LADY ALYSSA PHILLIPS AND HER NEW RIDE ROCKET, AND SHE DELIVERED TO PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE OVERNIGHT LEADER ISABELLE BOSSILY WHO CAME INTO THE ARENA WITH CONNOR AND SHE JUMPED THE MOST IMMACULATE, CLEAR ROUND TO CINCH THE 3 STAR CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE AT MARS MAJORITY LEADER.

-- AT MARS MARYLAND FRANKIE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH OUR FIRST CROWNED CHAMPION OF THE DAY.

>> WELL, OUR CHAMPION TODAY IN THE 3 STAR DIVISION, ISABELLE, IT WAS A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE THE CHAMPION?

>> ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS STILL OVER IT.

A PRETTY INCREDIBLE FEELING AND JUST SEEING ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AROUND THAT HAVE COME OUT FOR THIS EVENT, JUST MADE IT ALL THE MORE SPESH.

I JUST CAN'T PUT IT INTO WORDS RIGHT NOW HONESTLY.

>> YOU GREW UP RIGHT HERE AND YOU SAID TO ME EARLIER, AS YOU WERE GALLOPING AROUND THE RING ON YOUR VICTORY LAP, YOU LOOKED IN THE FANS AND SAW FAMILIAR FACES.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> I KNEW MY CORE PEOPLE WOULD BE HERE THAT WOULD BE COMING OUT BUT TO SEE ALL THESE PEOPLE HERE THAT I HAD NO IDEA WAS COMING, IT MADE ME SO EMOTIONAL ALL OF A SUDDEN AND I FELT ALL THE SUPPORT ALL THROUGH THE WEEK OVER SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL OF THAT, BUT TO HAVE EVERYONE LIVE THERE CHEERING FOR YOU, I MEAN IT'S REALLY, I JUST FELT REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE THAT IN MY CORNER.

>> YOU HAVE WATCHED THISY-- THIS EVENT PROGRESS OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS LIKE NOW TO NOT ONLY COMPETE HERE BUT TO HAVE THIS LOCALLY FOR YOU HERE AND FOR THE UNITED STATES.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE AND THIS IS SUCH A SPECTACULAR VENUE AND IT'S SO PERFECT FOR THE HORSES, YOU KNOW, LIKE THEY'RE JUST SO HAPPY COMPETING HERE.

AND TO HAVE THIS LOCALLY AND TIE IN WITH ALL THE RACING, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S-- YOU COULDN'T HAVE IT IN A BETTER PLACE AND EVERY YEAR THEY'RE MAKING I BETTER AND BETTER AND YOU KNOW, IT GIVES ME A TON OF CONFIDENCE WITH THE 3 STAR TRACK, LIKE MOVING ON NEXT YEAR.

SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO END THE SEASON.

>> WELL, LEADING DOMINANTLY FROM START TO FINISH, ISABELLE BOSLEY, YOUR 20233 STAR CHAMPION.

>> BACK DOWN AT THE WARMUP, THE LADY THAT WILL COME INTO THE ARENA IN THE FINAL POSITION TODAY, LOOKING TO HAVE HER FIRST 5 STAR WIN.

MANY PREDICTED IT WAS MEANT TO HAPPEN.

THEY JUST WEREN'T SURE WHEN AND COULD TODAY BE THE DAY FOR NEW ZEALAND'S MONICA SPENCER AND HER BEAUTIFUL THOROUGHBRED ARTIST.

THERE WE HAVE A LOOK AT MICHEL VAILLANCOURT'S BEAUTIFUL SHOW JUMPING TRACK.

THE CROWDS ARE FILLED UP.

THE DAY IS BEAUTIFUL.

THREE LEFT TO COMPETE HERE.

MIA FARLEY ON THE WONDERFUL THOROUGHBRED PHELPS AND THEN BEE HAVE FELIX VOGG AND CARTANIA, THAT FABULOUS MARE WE SAW GALLOP ACROSS THE COUNTRY YESTERDAY AND ON A 23.7, JUST ONE RAIL IN HAND, MONICA SPENCER.

BUT HERE, THE LEGEND MIA FARLEY AND FEPTS PHELPS.

THIS 12-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED OWNED BY DAVID O'CONNOR, THIS HORSE BOUGHT FOR ONE DOLLAR AND THE BEST DOLLAR EVER SPENT, IAN.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

BUT I SAW MIA AND THIS HORSE A FEW YEARS AGO HERE DOING THE 3 STAR AND I MADE THE COMMENT, THAT'S A NICE HORSE BUT HE AUTOS NOT GOING TO GO ANY FURTHER AND TWO YEARS LATER, SHE WAS THE ONE AND ONLY INSIDE THE TIME TWO YEARS AGO IN THE 5 STAR AND THE HORSE AND RIDERS 5 STAR DEBUT, AND WOW, WAS HE PHENOMENAL YESTERDAY.

HE LOOKED AMAZING.

SHE WENT THE LONG WAY AT PIERRE'S PUZZLE AND STILL MADE THE TIME CROSS COUNTRY.

HE IS JUST A LITTLE GALLOPING MACHINE.

>> HE REALLY IS.

YOU KNOW, THIS PHASE WOULD BE A TRICKY PHASE FOR HIM BACK IN 2023.

SHE HAD TWO DOWN IN THIS PHASE.

BUT MIA IS SO GOOD IN THE SHOW JUMPING.

SHE WILL USE ALL OF HER SKILL TO NAVIGATE THIS TRACK.

AND WOULDN'T IT BE SOMETHING IF SHE COULD KEEP THOSE POLES IN THE CUPS.

>> IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.

SHE DOES-- YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT.

SHE IS PRETTY GOOD IN THIS PHASE.

SHE HELPS THE HORSE BUT SHE SITS VERY QUIETLY.

SHE DOESN'T REALLY HASSLE THE HORSE AT ALL.

SHE LETS IT GET INTO A RHYTHM.

HE HAS THE ODD ARGUMENT ON THE APPROACH BUT JUST QUIETLY STROKE THAT OUT.

>> SHE DOES HAVE THE ONE RAIL IN HAND.

SHE WILL STILL-- SHE CAN KEEP IT TO THAT,... SHE CAN MAINTAIN HER POSITION.

>> SHE ALSO HAS SUCH A COOL HEAD BECAUSE SHE NEVER LOOKS AS THOUGH SHE GETS FLUSTERED.

THE HORSE HAS A POLE DOWN, SHE DOESN'T PANIC.

THERE IS ANOTHER ONE AWAY.

>> AND UNFORTUNATELY THREE DOWN.

YOU KNOW, THESE POLES ARE SUCH CAREFUL LIGHT MATERIAL.

YOU JUST CAN'T TOUCH THEM YOU KNOW, THIS IS J HE IS SUCH A FAST AND GOOD CROSS COUNTRY HORSE, BUT THIS IS A DIFFICULT PHASE FOR HER AS A FOURTH POLE GOES.

>> YEAH, HUGE DISAPPOINTING FOR HER BECAUSE SHE IS A REAL SUPER STAR OF THE FUTURE.

INCREDIBLE RIDER AND PHELPS IS A GREAT LITTLE HORSE.

AND HE MUST GIVE HER SUCH A THRILL CROSS COUNTRY.

DISAPPOINTING IN HERE IN THE SHOW JUMPING FOR HER.

>> SO SHE WILL ROUND OUT HER DAY ON A 48.6, CURRENTLY HAVING HER IN FIFTH POSITION.

YOU KNOW, THE COMPETITOR IN HER CAN'T HELP BUT BE DISAPPOINTED.

YOU ALWAYS HAD THE HOPE COMING IN BUT THIS, A HARD PHASE FOR THIS HORSE.

BUT LIKE YOU SAID, IAN, I MEAN THIS HORSE HAS BROUGHT HER TO THIS LEVEL, REALLY PAID HER A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THE EVENTING COMMUNITY.

AND YESTERDAY SHE CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF EVERYONE FOR THE SECOND TIME HERE AT MARYLAND.

>> STILL SMILING, FRUSTRATED, DAVID GIVING THE HORSE A PAT AS WELL.

IT'S SO DISAPPOINTING.

WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE.

BE THE LEADER IN THE BIG COMPETITION AND THE JOE JUMPING CATCHES YOU OUT.

THE MODERN EVENT HORSE PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY'RE BRED TO SHOW JUMP AND DO DRESSAGE THEY'RE PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE CAREFUL IN THE SHOW JUMPING.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN THOROUGHBREDS TODAY JUMP CLEAR ROUNDS.

IT CAN BE DONE.

>> YEP, AND THERE IS ONE THERE THAT WE HOPE TO SEE JUMPING A CLEAR ROUND AFTER THIS MAN.

HE KNOWS HE NOW HAS EVEN A LITTLE MORE BREEDING ROOM AS HE COMES INTO THE ARENA.

HIS LOVELY 14-YEAR-OLD MARE, CARTANIA, BY CARTANI OUT OF Z-SCHATZI.

>> HE ADDED NOTHING TO HIS DRESSAGE SCORE YESTERDAY.

OUR TOP THREE RIDERS ALL INSIDE THE TIME.

>> THIS PARTNERSHIP DID LOOK VERY SPECIAL IN THE CROSS COUNTRY.

THEY WERE JUST SPRINGING AROUND THAT COURSE.

VERY EFFICIENTLY MOVES DOWN THE LINE TO THIS RIGHT VERTICAL THAT IS GOING QUITE CLOSE TO THAT SCREEN, BUT THE HORSES HAVEN'T SEEMED TO NOTICE.

>> IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT'S GOT A LOT OF SCOPE AND A BIG STRIDE.

DOESN'T ALWAYS GO UP IN THE AIR.

GETS A LITTLE FLAT AT TIMES OVER THE FENCES.

SO HE IS GOING HAVE TO KEEP SITTING QUIETLY, GIVE THE HORSE A CHANCE TO JUMP.

>> THIS ISN'T HER EASIEST PHASE.

HE HAS WORKED QUITE HARD, HIS LAST INTERNATIONAL DID HAVE A CLEAR JUMPING BUT IT WAS WITH THE SHOW JUMPING BEFORE THE CROSS COUNTRY.

>> MORE SCOPE OVER THAT FENCE.

CERTAINLY THE SCOPE IS NOT IN DOUBT.

IT'S WHETHER THEY WANT TO LEAVE THESE FENCES UP, WELL RIDDEN THERE.

>> YOU CAN HEAR HIM USING HIS VOICE, KNOWING THAT ANY POLE HERE COULD WIDEN THE GAP FOR OUR NEXT RIDER.

HE WANTS TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON HER.

GETS A LITTLE UPSIDE DOWN COMING TO THAT VERTICAL BUT ONE MORE TO JUMP.

AND HE DOES IT, ADDING .4 ON THE CLOCK BUT WELL WORTH IT FOR A CLEAR JUMPING AND THAT WILL DEFINITELY PUT THE PRESSURE ON MONICA SPENCER.

HE CAN DO NO WORSE THAN SECOND PLACE IN THIS 5 STAR DIVISION.

DEFINITELY MAKING THE TRIP WORDS THE WHILE FOR HIM AS HE WILL FINISH HIS DAY AND HIS WEEK HERE AT MARYLAND ON HIS DRESSAGE SCORE OF A 28.7.

ACTUALLY I TAKE THAT BACK.

HE DID ADD, I BELIEVE, .4.

BUT I THINK HE ADDED-- >> .4 IS NOTHING COMPARED TO A POLE COMING DOWN.

>> THAT'S WHY I JUST ERASED IT IN MY MIND.

[LAUGHTER] IT WAS SO IRRELEVANT FOR ME I SUBTRACTED IT FROM THE SCORE.

>> HE GAVE THE HORSE THE FREEDOM OF REIN TO USE HIS HEAD AND NECK AND RATTED RATTLED IT BUT GOT AWAY WITH IT.

>> SOMETIMES YOU NEED A BIT OF LUCK.

>> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

>> I THINK HE HAD A BIT OF LUCK THERE.

ALL SMILES AS WE LOOK AT THAT LEADERBOARD AS IT STANDS.

FELIX VOGG IN THAT FIRST POSITION, AGAIN THEN FOLLOWED BY BOYD MARTIN AND CAROLINE PAMUKCU AND IN FOURTH JENNIE BRANNIGAN, BUT WE HAVE ONE MORE COMPETITOR TO ENTER THE ARENA AND SHE HAS JUST WON BUT SHE DOES HAVE ONE RAIL IN HAND.

>> PRESSURE IS ON.

>> YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS A PLACE THAT YOU SPEND YOUR DAYS AND NIGHT, A POSITION YOU WANT TO BE IN BUT ONCE YOU ARE THERE, IT IS NERVE RACKING BUT SHE GIVES ARTIST, MAX AS HE IS KNOWN IN THE BARN, A BIG PAT.

SEE HER TAKE A DEEP BREATH OUT.

SHE KNOWS THAT THERE IS OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF HER.

AND SHE ALSO KNOWS SHE HAS A BIT OF HER WORK CUT OUT FOR HER.

BEAUTIFUL SHOT THERE.

>> IT BECOMES A VERY-- ALL THESE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE RING AND IT BECOMES A VERY LONELY PLACE IN THERE WHEN YOU ARE IN THIS POSITION.

BUT MONICA WAS VERY GOOD.

WENT RIGHT UP TO THE CORNER BEFORE THE COMBINATION, THE SPOOKY CORNER AND MADE SURE THE HORSE WAS RELAXED AND WASN'T SORT OF STRESSING ABOUT SPOOKING.

HE, LIKE JENNIE BRANNIGAN WAS TRYING TO GET THE CROWDS NOT TO CHEER.

VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE EVERYONE IS SO IMPRESSED WITH THEM.

BUT RIDERS DON'T WANT THEIR HORSES TO GET-- >> GIVES THE FIRST ONE A LITTLE RATTLED.

NICE GOOD GAP THERE.

THIS HORSE HAS A NICE STYLE, BUT HE DOESN'T ALWAYS GET UP IN THE AIR.

>> HE IS PROBABLY BETTER JUST KEEPING HIM OFF THE FENCES A LITTLE BIT BUT IF YOU DO THAT, THEY CAN ENCOURAGE THEM TO FLATTEN.

THAT'S THE ONLY PROBLEM.

THERE IS THE ONE RAIL.

>> AND THAT IS SO DISAPPOINTING.

WITH THAT LAST RAIL THERE, SHE DOES MOVE DOWN THE LEADERBOARD, GIVING THE WIN OF THIS 5 STAR TO FELIX VOGG.

TWO LEFT TO JUMP.

>> AND SHE HAS JUMPED WELL, THE HORSE, JUST DISAPPOINTING.

>> BACK IN 2023, WHEN SHE WAS HERE,-- TWO DOWN AND THERE SHE IS STILL SMILING AND THERE IS YOUR WINNER RIGHT THERE, WINNING THE 5 STAR, HE KNOWS IT.

ALL SMILES, BUT THE CROWD IS STILL CLAPPING AND CHEERING FOR MONICA SPENCER, WHO WILL MOVE INTO THE SECOND PLACE POSITION ON A 31.7.

FELIX VOGG WILL WIN THE COMPETITION ON A 28.7.

AND I MEAN, MONICA IS SUCH A SPORTSMAN.

YOU KNOW, SHE GIVES HIM A PAT.

SHE KNOWS.

WITH HOW WELL HE CAME OUT THIS WEEK, I HAVE NO DOUBT SHE WILL BE IN THIS POSITION AGAIN.

>> I HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT.

I THINK MONICA AND THIS INCREDIBLE HORSE DESERVE THE BIG 5 STAR.

WE HOPED IT WOULD HAPPEN TODAY BUT NOT TO BE.

AND WELL DONE, FELIX BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED HORSE AND HE DID A GREAT JOB.

HE HAS BEEN PERFORMING IN ALL THREE PHASES AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, WE CAN HAVE OUR-- HE IS A HAPPY CHAMPION.

>> YEAH, BIG HUG FROM JONELLE.

THERE HAS TO BE NO BETTER FEEL THAN THE 5 STAR WIN AND HE JUST KEPT KNOCKING AT THE DOOR, IAN.

HE JUST KEPT PUTTING IN THE PERFORMANCES, STAYED WITHIN REACH AFTER THE DRESSAGE AND, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THERE HASN'T BEEN A WINNER AT THIS COMPETITION THAT HAS COME FROM LEADING THE DRESSAGE.

>> NO, WE ALL WANT TO BE AND ALL WANT TO BE LEADING THERE.

LEADING CAN PUT ITS OWN PRESSURE ON AND IT'S ACTUALLY MUCH EASIER TO COME FROM BEHIND AND YOU'VE GOT THE MAJOR PRESSURE ON.

>> WE HAVE OUR LEADERBOARD HERE.

FIRST PLACE FELIX VOGG AND CARTANIA IN SECOND, MONICA SPENCER IN SECOND AND ARTIST, USA BOYD MARTIN AND CAROLINE PAMUKCU.

JENNIE BRANNIGAN AND FE LIFESTYLE ROUNDING OFF THE TOP SIX, SOPHIA HILL AND HER THOROUGHBRED HUMBLE GLORY ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA.

THERE, OUR LEADER GETTING HIS INTERVIEWS.

AND WE ARE GOING TO HEAD OUT TO A COMMERCIAL BREAK BUT STAY WITH US AS WE CROWN OUR CHAMPION, FELIX VOGG HERE AT THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

WEED LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS: MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY IS BEING BROUGHT TO YOU BY MARS EQUESTRIAN, A BETTER WORLD FOR HORSES, PETS AND PEOPLE.

BY BROWN ADVISORY.

INVEST IN THE PRESENT TO RAISE THE FUTURE AND BY QUARRY VIEW BUILDING GROUP.

EXPERTS IN EQUESTRIAN, COMMERCIAL, TIMBER FRAME AND RESTORATION PROJECTS.

>> WELL, WELCOME BACK TO MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR AT FAIR HILL PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY, WHERE A NEW CHAMPION IS ABOUT TO BE CROWNED.

IT WAS FELIX VOGG WHO DELIVERED THE MUCH NEEDED CLEAR ROUND TO SECURE THE WIN HERE TODAY IN THE SHOW JUMPING ARENA.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE AS WE GET A LOOK AT THE FINAL STANDINGS HERE.

WE HAVE FELIX VOGG ON TOP, FOLLOWED BY NEW ZEALAND'S MONICA SPENCER, USA ROUNDS OUT THE TOP THREE WITH BOYD MARTIN, FOLLOWED BY OLYMPIAN CAROLINE PAMUKCU IN FIFTH PLACE FE LIFESTYLE JENNIE BRANNIGAN AND FINISHING THE TOP SIX, SOPHIA HILL ON HER THOROUGHBRED HUMBLE GLORY.

BEHIND HER, ANOTHER OF AMERICAN THOROUGHBRED MIA FARLEY AND PHELPS, THEN TAYLA MASON, FOLLOWED BY COACH JONELLE PRICE AND IN 13th PLACE, LINDSAY TRAISNEL AND BACYROUGE.

AND FRANKIE IS WITH OUR WINNER.

>> WELL, FELIX, AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE HERE TODAY.

FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN YOUR 2025 MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR CHAMPION, FELIX VOGG.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO GO IN THERE WITH ALL THAT PRESSURE ON AND DELIVER THIS ROUND WITH THIS BRILLIANT MARE.

>> IT WAS SOME PRESSURE BUT I KNOW SHE CAN DO IT AND IT WAS A BIT OUT OF MY HANDS.

I MEAN MONICA WAS QUITE IN THE LEAD.

BUT, YEAH SHE TRIED SO HARD AND HOW IT IS IN LIFE.

IF YOU NEED A STRONG WOMAN, SHE IS THERE.

>> WELL, YOU GUYS HAVE TRAVELED A FAR WAY TO GET TO BE HERE AND WHAT THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN HERE BESIDE THIS HUGE WIN FOR YOU?

>> THE WHOLE TRIP WAS A WIN.

I MEAN I WAS SO MOTIVATED ALREADY LAST WEEK.

IT'S GOING A BIT END OF THE SEASON, YOU GET A BIT TIRED BUT I WAS REALLY, REALLY MOTIVATED ON FIRE FOR THIS, THIS WEEK AND THE PEOPLE HERE ARE SO NICE AND WELCOMING.

LIKE THE WHOLE TRIP, LIKE EVEN YOU COME SECOND OR THIRD OR JUST BE HERE, IT'S GREAT.

SO, YEAH THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE WON ONE TIME BEFORE AT THIS LEVEL AND NOW YOU MAKE IT TWO.

THE ONLY SWISS RIDER TO WIN TWO TIMES IN HISTORY.

HOW DOES THAT FEEL?

>> GREAT.

I MEAN THERE ARE NOT MANY OF US OTHERWISE.

ONLY TO.

THE OTHER IS A BIG LEGEND.

I THINK HE WON FIRST TIME BADMINTON, BUT YEAH, TO WIN TWICE, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT THE LAST ONE.

>> YOU GET A BIG PRIZE POT MONEY AND A PLETHORA OF PRIZES.

ONE THING WE HAVE TO DO THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, 5 GUM.

WERE YOU ABLE TO STIMULATE EVERYONE'S SENSES ON SIGHT AND WE PRESENT WITH YOU THIS 5 GUM.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ONE MORE TIME, LET'S HEAR IT FOR FELIX VOGG.

[ APPLAUSE ] WELL, HERE WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SHOT THERE OF THE HORSES GETTING DECORATED AND DRESSED IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL RIBBONS, AS WE MOVE TOWARDS OUR MAGNAWAVE PULSE OF THE DAY.

IT WAS THIS MAN WHO CAME IN AND DELIVERED A CLEAR ROUND FOR USA TO SECURE A PODIUM FINISH IN THIRD PLACE WITH HIS PARTNER COMMANDO.

AND THEN ADDING TWO RAILS TO HER TIME, SHE ENDED UP FINISHING IN THE SECOND PLACE POSITION, A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE, MONICA SPENCER AND ARTIST PAINTED AS THEY CAME TO THIS FINAL FENCE, TO FINISH OUT IN SECOND PLACE AT THE MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR, BUT IT WAS THIS MAN WHO DELIVERED A PRESSURE-FILLED CLEAR ROUND WITH HIS LOVELY MARE, LEFT ALL THE RAILS IN THE CUP TO SECURE HIS SECOND 5 STAR WIN.

HE WILL BE THE 2025 MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR CHAMPION.

AND THAT IS YOUR MAGNAWAVE PULSE OF THE DAY.

AND WHAT A DAY IT WAS.

WHAT A WEEK IT WAS HERE IN CECIL COUNTY.

WE SAW EVERYTHING FROM CHILLY WEATHER TO FASCINATING COMPETITION.

THE CROWDS CAME OUT TO WATCH THESE BEAUTIFUL HORSE AND RIDER COMBINATIONS TACKLE PIERRE Le GOUPIL'S FIRST ATTEMPT AND SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT THE 5 STAR TRACK YESTERDAY.

WE HAD MICHEL VAILLANCOURT DESIGN THIS BEAUTIFUL PERFECT 5 STAR TRACK TODAY AND IT IS ALL SMILES AS WE GET READY FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY TO HAND OVER THE PRIZES TO THAT MAN THERE, FELIX VOGG, OUR CHAMPION.

SUCH A GREAT SHOT OF EVERYBODY GETTING READY.

THERE IS WINDY FLAGS AND AMAZING CORGIS.

AND WE WELCOMED EVERYONE THIS WEEK AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE MARYLAND 5 STAR ON YOUR CALENDAR, MAKE IT IN THE BOOKS FOR NEXT YEAR.

WHAT A COMPETITION IT WAS AS WE CROWN FELIX VOGG YOUR 2025 MARS MARYLAND 5 STAR CHAMPION HERE AT FAIR HILL.

A COMPETITION PRESENTED BY BROWN ADVISORY.

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