British Olympic team Gold medalist Oliver Townend (GBR) rode to his first Maryland victory atop Ballaghmor Class, finishing with strong cross country and foot-perfect clear show jumping round on Sunday for a final total score of 31.3 penalties to win the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. This is Oliver’s ninth all-time victory in a five-star and fourth with Ballaghmor Class (Burghley 2017 & 2023, Kentucky 2021). Ballaghmor Class now finds himself among the best five-star horses in the history of the sport.
Three-time Olympic veteran Tim Price (NZL), the 2022 Maryland winner, and 15-year-old gelding, Falco placed second, also with a mistake-free Sunday, finishing with a score of 34.6.
David Doel (GBR) was third on Galileo Nieuwmoed with a score of 38.5, while Buck Davidson (USA) took fourth on Sorocaima with a score of 47.6.
Oliver, who finished second in the inaugural MARS Maryland 5 Star in 2021 and had consecutive third place finishes the last two years, finally pushed his way to the top of the podium.
“I fully expected that Tim would go clean and keep the pressure on me,” he said. “Fortunately, I am lucky to ride one of the sport’s great horses and he delivered big time.
“I wish he could carry on for another 10 years so we could retire together,” continued Oliver, whose ninth 5 Star win ties him with Andrew Nicholson and Lucinda Green for fifth all-time behind William Fox-Pitt (14), Michael Jung (11), Sir Mark Todd (11) and Ginny Elliot (10). “He’s just phenomenal and it’s my job to show the world how good he is. Luckily, I didn’t mess this one up.”
“We are appreciative of our sponsors for continuing to make the Maryland 5 Star possible again this year, especially MARS Equestrian™ and Brown Advisory,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the Maryland 5 Star. “The weather was outstanding and the crowds throughout the weekend were incredible to see. Ian Stark’s final cross-country course was beautiful and challenged the sport’s most elite riders and their horses. Thank you to the FEI riders and officials for coming from around the world to help lay the ground work for this event, to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to get it off the ground, and our fans who continue to show us amazing support every year. We look forward to seeing everyone back out at Fair Hill and in Cecil County in 2025.”
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The entire event was streamed globally via ClipMyHorse.TV and CCI5* was available via livestream regionally on Maryland Public Television.
For more information, please visit www.maryland5star.us.
Image by Shannon Brinkman Photo
