Seasoned Campaigners Take on the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill

Age is just a number for these senior horses competing at the 2024 Maryland 5 Star and adding to their impressive resumes.

The 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill includes a notable group of horses who are still competing at the CCI5*-L level at the ages of 17 and 18. These senior horses have won CCI5*-L events and medals at major championships, such as the Olympic Games and FEI Eventing World Championships, and they have impressed fans throughout their lengthy careers. Learn more about these talented horses as they add another CCI5*-L start to their resumes.

Away Cruising

Harry Meade (GBR) and Away Cruising compete at Badminton in 2023. ©Shannon Brinkman

17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Cruise On x Parklands Princess, Able Albert)

Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)

Owners: Jane Dear, Charlotte Opperman and Peter Opperman

Away Cruising traveled across the pond to compete on U.S. soil for the first time. He is making his 10th CCI5*-L start. He and longtime rider Harry Meade had a respectable finish at Badminton CCI5*-L in the spring, and they aim to make their trip worthwhile with a solid finish at Maryland.

Ballaghmor Class

Oliver Townend (GBR) and Ballaghmor Class, winners of the 2021 Kentucky CCI5*-L. ©Amy K. Dragoo

17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Courage II x Kilderry Place)

Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

Owners: Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan

Ballaghmor Class has found success on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean at the CCI5*-L level. With Oliver Townend in the irons, Ballaghmor Class won Burghley twice (2017, 2023) and Kentucky once (2021). The pair also represented Great Britain at the 2021 Olympic Games (team gold) and 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship. Ballaghmor Class is making his 10th CCI5*-L start and his first appearance at Maryland. He and Townend won the Little Downham CCI4*-S in the lead-up to this week’s event.

Corvett

Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett compete at the 2023 Maryland 5 Star. ©Amy K. Dragoo

17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Corrido x Tina XII, Clearway)

Rider: Emily Hamel (USA)

Owner: Black Flag Option, LLC

Corvett has competed in five of the world’s seven CCI5*-Ls (Kentucky, Maryland, Badminton, Burghley and Luhmühlen) with Emily Hamel in the irons. The gelding is making his eighth CCI5*-L start and third appearance at the Maryland 5 Star. Corvett and Hamel finished in third place in the Stableview Oktoberfest CCI4*-S to prepare for Maryland.

LCC Barnaby

Lillian Heard Wood (USA) and LCC Barnaby at the 2022 Maryland 5 Star. ©Amy K. Dragoo

18-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Guy Cavalier x Lady Tanjour, Rafael)

Rider/Owner: Lillian Heard Wood (USA)

LCC Barnaby is making his fourth start at the Maryland 5 Star and his 15th CCI5*-L start in his career. His best finish at Maryland was 10th in 2023 with longtime rider Lillian Heard Wood. The pair competed in the Plantation Field CCI4*-S last month in the lead-up to Maryland.

Mai Baum

Tamie Smith (USA) and Mai Baum, winners of the 2023 Kentucky CCI5*-L. ©Amy K. Dragoo

18-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Loredano 2 x Ramira, Rike)

Rider: Tamie Smith (USA)

Owners: Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell

Tamie Smith brings Mai Baum, her longtime championship mount, to his first appearance at the Maryland 5 Star. The pair represented the U.S. at the 2019 Pan American Games (team gold), 2021 Olympic Games (reserve combination) and 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship (team silver). Mai Baum is making his fourth CCI5*-L start at Maryland. In his last CCI5*-L appearance, he and Smith won the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event as the first U.S. combination to win the event in 15 years.

On Cue

Boyd Martin (USA) and On Cue, winners of the inaugural Maryland 5 Star in 2021. ©Amy K. Dragoo

18-year-old Anglo-European Warmblood mare (Cabri d’Elle x On High, Primitive Rising)

Rider: Boyd Martin (USA)

Owners: Boyd Martin, Christine Turner, Thomas Turner and Tommie Turner

On Cue is making her fifth CCI5*-L start this week, marking her second start at the Maryland 5 Star. In her last Maryland appearance, she and Boyd Martin won the inaugural CCI5*-L in 2021 after finishing on their dressage score of 25. The pair is coming off a fifth-place finish at the Bromont CCI3*-S as part of their preparations for Maryland.

Tsetserleg TSF

Boyd Martin (USA) brings longtime championship partner Tsetserleg TSF for the horse’s Maryland 5 Star debut. ©Amy K. Dragoo

17-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall 2 x Thabana, Buddenbrock)

Rider: Boyd Martin (USA)

Owners: Christine Turner, Thomas Turner and Tommie Turner

Boyd Martin brings his longtime championship mount, Tsetserleg TSF, for the horse’s first appearance at the Maryland 5 Star. The pair competed for the U.S. at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, 2019 Pan American Games (team and individual gold), 2021 Olympic Games and 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship (team silver). Tsetserleg TSF is contesting his ninth CCI5*-L start. Most recently, he and Martin were 12th in the Plantation Field International CCI4*-S.

For More Information

  • Find out more about the Maryland 5 Star here.
  • For more on our coverage of the Maryland 5 Star, click here.

Thanks to Mane ‘n Tail for our coverage of the 2024 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, including rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more!

(Note: the total number of CCI5*-L starts includes events that were CCI4*s before the FEI updated its star system in 2019)

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