Monica Spencer and Artist, part of the bronze medal-winning Kiwi team at last year’s World Champs, is one of two New Zealanders competing at the Maryland 5* this week. Photo by Libby Law Photography
Two-time Olympian Caroline Powell and World Champs team bronze medallist Monica Spencer are in the United States and ready to fly the Kiwi flag high at the Maryland CCI5* this week.
Caroline is in on her 10-year-old bay mare Greenacres Special Cavalier, a horse she rates highly and one she has been bringing carefully through the grades. The combination were fifth in the 5* at Pau last year and completed Badminton this year, as well as placing seventh in the CCIO4*-S at Aachen.
“I am very excited to be in Maryland,” said Caroline. “She is in cracking form and hopefully will perform as well as she can. I am looking forward to putting her over Ian Stark’s cross country course.”
Monica headed to the States with her 12-year-old thoroughbred in early August. “The trip and quarantine definitely took its toll on Max (Artist) but he picked up condition quickly,” said Monica.
“He is going well and feeling good in himself.”
The combo placed fourth in the CCI4*-S at Coatesville in Pennsylvania and have also had dressage and showjumping outings in preparation.
She’s chuffed to have husband Andrew and son Gus with her in the States. The family has bought a campervan so they have all the comforts of home during their travels.
Monica is based at Somehowe Yard, owned by the Howe family and run by Erika Nessler who has looked after the Kiwi family like her own. The property shares a driveway with Boyd Martin’s Windurra, and Monica has been using his facilities for training.
“I am very excited to give Maryland a crack,” she says. “I’ll certainly have to have my brave pants on!”
The class has attracted 28 combinations including newly crowned world no.1 Oliver Townend (GBR) aboard Cooley Rosalent, world no.3 Boyd Martin (USA) with both Contessa and Luke 140, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on Grafennacht, and Piggy March (GBR) aboard Brookfield Cavalier Cruise.
Organisers are expecting 25,000-plus spectators over the four days. Dressage runs Thursday and Friday, followed by the Ian Stark-designed cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.
Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin won the Maryland 5* in 2022 with Boyd Martin taking it out in 2021. Tim was entered to defend his title, this time aboard his “super little horse” Falco, but the horse is now out for the rest of the year after having a tumour removed.
“It is very disappointing we can’t be there,” said Tim. “It had been in his tummy for a long time. We are looking at this as a very fortunate situation where we were able to hook that out of there before it caused any real damage but it does mean he needs some time to recover so that is him for the year.”
Falco was recovering well and Tim was pleased with how well he was doing. “Here’s to next year,” he said.
Maryland is the newest 5* on the world’s calendar, running for the first time in 2021 and alongside Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, Kentucky Three-Day, Australian International Three-Day Event, Luhmuhlen and Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. These are the highest ranked events in eventing.
The horse details:
Greenacres Special Cavalier (by Cavalier Royale out of Greenacres Touch who is by Touchdown) – owned by Chris Mann
Artist (by Guillotine) – owned by Monica and Andrew Spencer
WHAT: Maryland CCI5*
WHERE: Elkton, Maryland, United States
WHEN: October 19-22, 2023
MORE INFO: https://www.maryland5star.us/
