Monica Spencer (NZL) and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Artist, delivered a confident performance across Pierre Le Goupil’s cross-country track on Saturday at the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. The pair heads into the final phase atop the CCI5*-L leaderboard as Spencer looks to capture her first Maryland 5 Star title.
Spencer, who rides for New Zealand and is now based in the U.S., has a long partnership with Artist, a former racehorse she developed to the top level of the sport. The pair earned a team bronze for New Zealand at the 2022 World Championships and have since become established five-star competitors.
After the CCI5* cross-country phase, Spencer currently leads with a score of 23.7, followed by Felix Vogg (SUI) and 14-year-mare Cartania with a score of 28.3, followed behind by Mia Farley (USA) and Phelps at 32.2.
“He was definitely ready to run, and I certainly let him do that on those lovely gallop strips,” said Spencer. “The ground was perfect. He was a machine, and I am very happy.”
Spencer shared her thoughts regarding the difficulty of the cross-country course. “I think it was tough out there and you really had to fight for it the whole way, be ready to act on your feet and have a brave horse,” said Spencer. “It was as hard as we thought it would be, but we did it, so we’re very happy.”
The CCI5*-L cross-country field featured 22 horses, of whom 13 completed the course. Seven had no jumping penalties for a 32% clear jumping rate, with four inside the time for an 18% double-clear rate. The fastest round of the day belonged to Sophia Hill (AUS) aboard her 14-year-old gelding Humble Glory, who completed the course in 10 minutes, 32 seconds.
(Just two Canadians were in the 5*: Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit retired at fence 16A, and Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge missed a flag at 17 and had a refusal at 25 to finish the day in 13th place.)
After Saturday’s CCI3*-L cross-country phase, the leaderboard remains unchanged among the top three athletes. Monkton, Maryland native, Isabelle Bosley (USA) and Conner continue to hold the lead with a score of 24.8. Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Rockett remain close behind in second on 25.5, while Olivia Dutton (USA) and Jewelent maintain their third-place position with a score of 28.1.
“I kind of felt like I was back on a Timber horse around the first bit of this track on Connor,” said Bosley. “He went out pretty bold, but once he settled into things and kind of got his groove going, he just ate it up. He felt super fit all the way around and came dragging me up the final hill, so I am just super thrilled with him.”
(Of the six Canadian entries in this division, Dana Cooke had the best result, sitting 8th with FE Damaskus after a speedy XC round.)
The MARS Maryland 5 Star continues Sunday with the CCI5*-L (2:30 pm EST) and CCI3*-L (10:30 am EST) show jumping phases, where Spencer, Bosley, and the rest of the top riders will battle for final victory.
The event is being streamed globally via ClipMyHorse.TV and regionally via Maryland Public Television.
Schedule & Results HERE.
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