Maryland 5*

[Texarkana]

Many years ago, I heard the cost to compete in an overseas 5 star was around $30k. I don’t know what today’s cost is.

I thought the point of creating a second North American 5 star was to allow more of our riders an opportunity to compete at the level without that extreme expense.

Yet, quite a few riders and owners are still electing to spend the money to go overseas instead of aiming for Maryland.

On one hand, I completely understand: if you want to reach the top, you have to compete against the top. Also, if you have the opportunity to compete overseas, you should absolutely seize it.

On the other hand, I don’t understand why we are spending SO much money to go overseas just for “the experience.” When someone like Tim Price flies across the ocean to compete, he almost always comes home with a check. When most of our riders fly overseas, they come home with a big bill and “experience.” Is that really the best use of our resources?

This sport is already having a financial reckoning… why are we making it more expensive than it has to be?

[jcraig10]

Is Doug still eventing? I saw he has a couple of his guys for sale. I’ve not been following along so wasn’t sure if he’s been out at events or now focusing on pure SJ.

[Benchmark]

They’re two polar opposite 5* courses. Pau is one of the flattest 5*'s on the calendar and getting the time is about rideability and efficiency through the combinations, it’s kind of a sprinter’s course. Maryland is one of the hilliest and getting the time is about having a relentless gallop and a bold jumper, it’s kind of a distance runner’s course. Off the Record is a great example of a horse that’s well suited to Pau, but probably not so much Maryland.

Also, most of these riders aren’t footing the travel bill, it may just be that their owners want to have a nice French vacation in the fall. Can’t say I blame them, Elkton, MD is beautiful country but do a quick google image search of both locations and I think you can see the appeal of Pau from an owner’s perspective .

[beowulf]

How many US 5* riders are there, really?

I don’t wonder if this is a sign of the times too - the sport is thinning at the top.

[emeraldcity]

I believe he’s said he’s in the process of switching- down to only one or two upper level eventers I think last I heard.

[Texarkana]

@beowulf

How many US 5* riders are there, really?

I don’t wonder if this is a sign of the times too - the sport is thinning at the top.

There are soooo many between horses at the moment.

@Benchmark put it really well above. I feel so conflicted. From a safety standpoint, we don’t want people gunning for 5 stars when they aren’t ready just to take a crack at one. The XC courses are so much more “watchable” than they used to be IMO because the horse and rider combos are just so darn good, as opposed to cringing as combos grit their teeth and attempt to make it through XC. But we’re hitting a point where there are only a few elite riders at the level, most with multiple horses, with seemingly no one else coming up the ranks.

[Willesdon]

People coming up through the ranks is one reason why Blenheim Palace HT are always interesting. Horses wining or running well in the 8/9 year old class are likely to be ready to try 5* next season. There were several German riders there this year who were unknown to the UK audience.

[trakehners]

@jcraig10

Is Doug still eventing? I saw he has a couple of his guys for sale. I’ve not been following along so wasn’t sure if he’s been out at events or now focusing on pure SJ.

As @emeraldcity said, he’s switching over to H/J—I believe he said the reasoning is largely because of his kids and the amount of traveling/time commitment required to ride at the upper levels in eventing vs. H/J (tried to find it but I think he might’ve posted it on a story as part of a Q&A). They’ve got both Camarillo and Quiberon listed for sale and once they’re gone I think that’s it for his eventer string.

My trainer’s son is off to college next year and hopefully she’ll be able to go full steam ahead on getting back up the levels then but she’s only one person and there really does seem to be an experience gap on the American side (which, as others have said, is not a bad thing from a safety perspective but also raises the question of who can even teach people coming up the levels how to be successful at that level of difficulty because half of the current crop of 5* competitors can absolutely ride but aren’t actually all that great at instructing).

I seriously considered driving down to spectate at Maryland since it’s way closer to me than KY but I just started a new job last week so that’s a bust. Maybe next year.

[Jealoushe]

I was recently told it cost $65k min to attend Burghley/ Badminton for a Canadian….

[Syrynx]

I’d wanted to go to Maryland to spectate this year but it clashed with a trip to see family in KY that is taking precedent due to scheduling and such.

[Jealoushe]

I get the difference in courses but is the difference SO big people are spending $60k to go there? Like someone mentioned above, if you’re in for a podium finish I could understand.

I see the Brits doing Burghley for their horses first 5*s because it’s what’s there. I understand heading somewhere easier or more suited to your horse but I also feel it’s a short sighted for the future of eventing in North America.

To be clear I’m not blaming or judging anyone’s choices, it just seems like even though its owner money it’s still a lot of money to spend elsewhere when our sport is dying in our own backyard.

[Marigold]

@Benchmark

In my opinion, it’s the American riders who don’t seem to be carrying their weight in terms of entries. There are only 7 U.S. based American riders entered. 9 of the 23 entries (39%) are based in the UK or Europe.

Absolutely I agree with this. The international entries are quite good in terms of volume, and exceptional in quality. It’s the home side that is letting down the entry, and I don’t know why (it’s not like the Olympics are a conflict this year). Very disappointing for a country that insisted we needed a second 5*.

@trakehners

They’ve got both Camarillo and Quiberon listed for sale and once they’re gone I think that’s it for his eventer string.

Did something happen to Quantum Leap? He retired at the final horse inspection at Kentucky and hasn’t been seen since. He’s only 13 and I was looking forward to many more years of watching them.

[trakehners]

@Marigold

Did something happen to Quantum Leap? He retired at the final horse inspection at Kentucky and hasn’t been seen since. He’s only 13 and I was looking forward to many more years of watching them.

I honestly completely forgot about him—too many Q names down there, lol. He doesn’t have any results listed in USEF since Kentucky and Doug and Jess do own him directly, so this is a good question.

[NeedsAdvil]

Well, there are reasons but I doubt those are the real ones. Could be ownership/sponsors/family obligations/you name it. But he’s never had an issue letting his staff drive the horses to events while he flies his plane and records it all. IDK, I think maybe it’s the grind, it’s a tough sport.

[fordtraktor]

With Liz’s injury and those overseas the last few years…I think that it’s perfectly sensible for UL riders, esp with kids, to pull back for safety reasons. I know I totally lost my nerve when I had kids. Injuries hit different when people depend on you.

[beowulf]

@Marigold

Did something happen to Quantum Leap? He retired at the final horse inspection at Kentucky and hasn’t been seen since. He’s only 13 and I was looking forward to many more years of watching them.

I wondered the same. I will be honest, the way he traveled in the dressage test, I was surprised he was allowed to continue. He has always traveled close behind but he was lame that day. My two cents - and I have only ever been a huge fan of his.

[Benchmark]

I don’t think he’s been back out since he was withdrawn pre-show jumping at Kentucky this year.

[EventerAJ]

I am entered in the YEH-4 Championships with my homebred TB, At Close Range. “Ninja” is by my TB eventing stallion Saketini (Bernardini) out of G3-placed stakes mare Bodacious Barb. Ninja was bred to event and won the FEH Championships as a yearling back in 2021. I’ve never been to the YEH Championships so I’m a bit nervous hoping we are well-prepared! It’s a great opportunity to show off my breeding and training program, and I hope Ninja represents his sire well!

We’re also part of Elizabeth Callahan’s amazing project, The US Event Horse Futurity. If you have time, please comment on This Post (facebook link) to vote for At Close Range to earn the Fan Favorite Award! I have been chronicling Ninja’s progress all along this journey, check out his vlogs Here and facebook page Here.

[FrittSkritt]

@Texarkana

On the other hand, I don’t understand why we are spending SO much money to go overseas just for “the experience.” When someone like Tim Price flys across the ocean to compete, he almost always comes home with a check. When most of our riders fly overseas, they come home with a big bill and “experience.” Is that really the best use of our resources?

Agreed. Seems like the riders who could be competitive overseas aren’t going anymore. It make no sense to send people over for the “experience” when it means zilch in terms of growing and supporting our sport at home. That money could be well-used to start new events or bolster the ones that are struggling.

[evtrmom]

Good luck and have fun!!