Occupation: Eventer

Breed: Holsteiner

Breeding: Contender out of Veritas

Age: 14

Sex: Mare

Owners: Gloria Callen, Densey Juvonen, Fernanda Kellogg and Kelly Morgan

Accomplishments: 1st at the 2018 Bromont CCI2*, 2nd at the 2020 Tryon CCI3*-L, 3rd at the 2022 Bromont CCI4*-L

Boyd Martin has been bringing along Contessa since she was 5-years-old after he found her in Germany thanks to Philipp Kolossa. She has 16 career FEI starts and will make her CCI5* debut at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Martin sat down with Practical Horseman at the 2023 Carolina International to share insights about his “fiery” mount.

What is Contessa like to ride?

She is a hot, fiery girl and I love her to bits. She’s a brilliant jumper. It’s been a long road—we got her as a 4- or 5-year-old. She’s brilliant in all phases. She can get a little bit keen and brave and feisty in the cross country, so it’s been a work in progress trying to contain her enthusiasm. But she wants to jump anything I point her at, sometimes a little bit too much.

What does training at home look like with Contessa?

When we get back to Pennsylvania … we’ve got such a great training facility (Windurra USA) up there with the big indoor arena. The weather’s been kind, so we’ve been doing a bit of galloping outside on the hills already. I’ve got great coaches—Silva [Martin], Bettina Hoy, Erik Duvander and Peter Wylde—and quality horses, awesome staff, a great facility. So, I feel like we’ve got all the necessary ingredients [for Contessa] to become a champion.

Do you think Contessa has the potential to be one of your top mounts?

I’m always the optimist. Once these horses make it to the top, I believe that on their day, no one can beat them. Sometimes, I get accused of being too much of a dreamer. But, once they get to this level, I really feel like the sky’s the limit. I’m very blessed with top horses at the moment and really feel like all of them can be champions.

Thanks to Cosequin for our coverage of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, including rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more!⁣