(Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Kiersten Miller and Mama Mia maintain lead following CCI3*-L Dressage Competition
Fair Hill, Maryland – October 18, 2024 – Veteran Tamie Smith (USA) and 18-year-old Mai Baum find themselves atop the leaderboard following the CCI5*-L Dressage competition at the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. The pair, who have been competing together for ten years, finished Dressage with a total score of 25.3 from the judging panel, celebrating Mai Baum’s final 5 Star competition. Oliver Townend (GBR) and 17-year-old Ballaghmor Class are currently second with a score of 26.5 while Bubby Upton (GBR) and Cola are in third place on 26.7.
Smith, whose win on Mai Baum in the 2024 Kentucky 5 Star was the first by a U.S. rider in 15 years, felt that Fair Hill would be an appropriate place to close his 5 Star career. Their ten years together included being named to three major U.S. teams – for the 2019 Pan American Games (team Gold), 2021 Olympics (traveling reserve) and 2022 World Championships (team silver).
“He started his 4 Star long career here at Fair Hill, so to be back here for his final 5 Star is very special,” said Smith (USA). “I was super pleased with him; he is feeling like a million bucks and like he is ten again. I felt like I had my best test—I was really thrilled with every aspect of it and I couldn’t have asked for him to be better.”
Following Friday’s 3 Star dressage, Kiersten Miller (USA) maintains her lead with Mama Mia at 28.4, while Sara Schulman (USA) remains in second place with Cooley Chromatic at 28.6. Allison Springer (USA) with Castle Howard Romeo fall closely behind at 28.7, Ariel Grald (USA) with Adagio’s Nobility turned in Friday’s best score to move into fourth place at 28.9, while Kiersten Miller (USA) with Rosconnell Alto moved into fifth at 29.0 and Katie Lichten (USA), making her Maryland 5 Star debut, took 6th place with her 8-year-old, HTS Jensen R with a 29.1.
“I was super happy with him, he’s a young horse,” said Lichten (USA). “He used to be quite nervous and tense, so to go out here in this big atmosphere and perform the way he did – I was really happy with him. There were a couple of little mistakes, but he is only eight so there is a lot more to come from him.”
As we head into day three of the event, attention turns to the highly anticipated cross-country competitions. In addition to the three leaders, eyes will focus on David Doel (GBR) on Galileo Nieuwmoed. According to Equiratings, Galileo Nieuwmoed is the fastest horse in the field and the most-reliable jumper. He’s had one cross country fault in his entire international career spanning 30 XC runs and more than 6 years.
Other top contenders include Jessica Phoenix (CAN) with Fluorescent Adolescent, the first out of the start box and known for her speed, offering an early indicator of how challenging the time will be. Meanwhile, Townend’s five-star veteran Ballaghmor Class is aiming for his 20th consecutive international clear, continuing a remarkable streak at the highest levels of competition. With time expected to be a decisive factor, horses like Galileo Nieuwmoed and Fluorescent Adolescent will set the pace for what promises to be an exciting day of cross-country action.