June 2021 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN June 2021 Page 9 Oliver Townend added a third consecutive win in the Land Rover Kentucky Three- Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian TM , the Kentucky Horse Park, which the British eventer describes as “the most special in the world.” In 2018 and 2019, Townend took the top spot in the CCI5*-L with Cooley Master Class, but this year it was Ballaghmor Class, the 14-year- old Irish Sport Horse gelding taking the win. A careful, quick show jump- ing round was a necessity as the top seven were all within a single rail of each other heading into the final phase. “What’s so special about our sport is that tense finish and there is no margin for error,” said Townend. “I think that’s what’s got everybody so excited—every- body that’s watched online and on TV. I don’t think between us we could have created a better finale. It’s been a wonderful day for all of us.” New Zealand’s Tim Price finished in second while his wife, Jonelle Price, finished third. The familiar look on the leaderboard held over to the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champi- onship presented by MARS Equestrian, with Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) repeating his win from 2019. Martin found himself in the winner’s circle with a different horse, On Cue, the 15-year-old Selle Français mare he co-owns with Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner. This event was On Cue’s debut at the CCI5*-L level, and after unfortunate falls on cross-coun- try with his two other mounts, On Cue stepped up and earned her carrots with just one rail down and no time faults in show jumping. “When you bring a horse to this level for the first time you don’t know quite what to expect,” said Martin. “She’s unbelievable, though. She abso- lutely gave everything she had this weekend and exceeded my expectations. She tried her abso- lute guts out. I would have loved to jump clear today, but having one rail down in this company is respectable.” Martin and On Cue’s final score of 31.8 put them in fourth place for the overall CCI5*-L. Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) turned in a double-clear show jumping round with Z, the 12-year-old Zangersheide geld- ing, finishing as reserve national champions and in eighth place overall. Z was one of two rides for Dutton this week. He also completed with Fernhill Singa- pore. Tamie Smith (Temecula, Calif.) finished in third place in the national championship and ninth overall with Mai Baum, the 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding. Martin Repeats National Championship Win at Land Rover Kentucky